This is a picture of and old "mama" as we affectionately call them here, who has had her right cataract removed on the Africa Mercy. She has been confused throughout the entire process. She came alone to the screening clinic, missed her first surgical appointment, came back with the card, and we gave her a new appointment, but told her she needed to bring a family member back with her to get her new card, in order to make sure that someone would take her on the right day. After the operation, she never went back to the ship to get all her post-op care done, never got her medications, then turned up back at the clinic the next week, because her eye hurt (if you can imagine it, since she wasn't using any medication, sunglasses, etc.) She now still turns up regularly with complaints to see us in the clinic. I always get a huge grin on my face each time she arrives, grab her hand, and pull her inside. I'm beginning to suspect that she just likes seeing us and being warmly welcomed in. Usually there are too many patients to actually be able to remember their faces, but she is just too adorable and forgetful to forget. The other person in the picture is Robert, one of our day volunteers who I work very closely with. He translates into French, Fon, Goun, Mina or Yoruba (possibly more dialects that I'm forgetting...) which just amazes me! We couldn't accomplish anything without our translators.
2 comments:
You have a comforting view on things. I left the ship over a year ago, and compared to you I was only there for a little while, but some memories are still fresh in mind. Luckily. I think it’s the persons and events that make the stay. Like old mama, Emma Vah, Samuel Tokpah or the laughter of the patient crowd when I practised my Bassa, their rhythms, a Papi’s genuine smile, the beauty of mount Nimba, how you placed your hand on my shoulder with that “I know. You can lean on me”-look when Redemption broke me down, or your defreezing look when I froze over that kid crying. I hope I’ll never forget. Still up at sunset to read? You’re probably making an excellent mobile team coordinator. Hope you get to do their history, thou I’m sorry about that guy in February. I’m sure you’ve had many similar experiences by now. 600 a day? Crazy! May your work be blessed. LØL.
Linn and Linn-Øydis are two different persons (at least in most ways. Robert/Robbie thinks we are the same). She has only been on the ship in graphical format, but let me borrow her profile today. I'm sure she has good wishes for you too. LinnO'
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