Observations about the Ecuadorian life - by Ron Benjamin

Trying to see patience

There is an air of familiarity as I become more accustomed to my surroundings. I don´t know what to make of certain practices, however. When waiting for the bus stop, it is best to have a woman get on last because the bus driver doesn´t start moving if a woman is still getting on, otherwise it´s that man for himself. In the bus itself, people bump into others without thinking twice about it. No one gets up for the elderly woman or pregnant mother with children. I think if these are how a desperate people act, or simply survival instincts.

At the leprosy clinic I am fortunate to work with Dr. Martinez who has specialized in the disease. He calls in a patient who not only had Leprosy, but Leprosy Type 2, where red nodules encompass his entire body. His skin is dark, peeling, and he is a mere 95 lbs. The doctor tests his sensation by making him close his eyes and tell him if it´s a sharp or dull pain he is feeling. There is no response. The doctor looks at me and says, he feels nothing in this hands or feet. I think about how the other leprosy patients at least still have the pleasure to laugh from a foot tickle, but this patient seems removed, both from sensation and our current conversation. ¨He doesn´t want to take his medication¨, the doctor finally interrupts the silence. ¨Why not?¨ I ask. ¨It makes his skin darker, and that isn´t a good thing here¨. I´ve read about this. The darker the skin still symbolizes a status of class and though this man is in an isolated Leprosy clinic, these things must still matter to him. ¨He doesn´t care about getting better?¨. The doctor looks at him and then looks at me. Enough has been said.

On the bus back home I am standing in the entrance because the main cavern is simply too overcrowded. I see a woman with her daughter by her side get on the bus. She squeezes in and tries to hold a stable stance but the bus veers and she and her daughter nearly fall into a seated passenger. When I look again, I see a woman has moved over, and a seat has opened up for the mother. I wonder how this can be and see that there are now two mothers with their children on their laps, and understand there must be an unwritten rule between two mothers. I smile at the one who made room by putting her daughter on her lap. Patience is tried here, but it is also rewarded, I think to myself.

PRESS RELEASE

‘Physicians for Humanity’ cultivates medical students by reaching out to the poor.

PCOM Medical Students Gary Zane, Catherine Babbitt-Cook, Kelsey Thrush and Kimberly Marakovits return from Ecuador with a fresh look into what it means to serve others and are paving the way for future volunteers. 

Philadelphia, PA November 2011:  Physicians for Humanity (PFH), a non-profit organization based in Pennsylvania, has sent another group of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) first year medical students to Ecuador this past summer.  PFH’s mission is based on living and working with the poor in order to more fully understand their suffering.  It is their belief that volunteers must immerse themselves completely in another culture to truly grasp their plight. 

This approach has been opening the eyes, hearts and minds of PFH volunteers for eight years. 

Prior to 2011, PFH volunteers have spent only a small portion of their time in Ecuador travelling to and from areas of poverty throughout their stay.  This past year, a group of volunteers spent their entire month living with host families in some of the poorest areas in Ecuador.  As a result of this increased involvement, these volunteers’ lives were changed forever and their personal growth is already translating into a life-long journey of service.  Gary Zane of Deptford, NJ graduate of Rutgers University, Catherine Babbitt-Cook of Portland, OR graduate of Ursinus College, Kelsey Thrush of Chambersburg, PA graduate of Juniata College and Kimberly Marakovits of Rocky Hill, CT graduate of Boston College returned from their eye-opening experience in Duran, Ecuador in August.  As second year PCOM medical students, they are leading the way in advocating for our mission and inspiring the next generation of volunteers.  They have begun sharing their lessons of service by leading groups of medical students in engaging with a homeless shelter in Philadelphia.  Current projects:  Our clinic ‘Derechos de los Pobres’ in Duran, Ecuador and the Shelia Dennis House in Philadelphia, PA.  For more information about our mission visit our website at: www.physiciansforhumanity.org.

A Reflection by Gary Zane - MS2

"Beese, Sully, Mike, Soap, and James.  This was my crew growing up.  To this day when I think of my boys, my true boys, this is them.  My younger brothers, Anthony and Michael, that's my heart and soul.  My cousins, Chris and Kevin, are my brothers from another, whose mother has a mother who happens to be the mother of mine.  And little Rose also, the flower.  The people in my life are what gives it meaning.  Like guitar strings that write their own music, each bond that's composed is its own song, and the music created vibrates into eternity.  And all the songs together play through my blood and my bones so that I am forever the singer and the listener to the music that is my being."

As I sat down to write my first reflection before we embarked on the trip to Duran, I came across this poem that I wrote last summer that I called "Yo soy.". It was refreshing. It's easy to get caught up in the daily routine of medical school and relationships, and this reminded me of who I am and why I decided to join Physicians for Humanity in the first place.

A reflection by Gary Zane

Welcome to PFH's Blog!

PFH is excited for the all the new opportunities and growth this year.  A new website, blog, and PFH products are just some of the new and exciting things to come. 

All PFH volunteers and supporters are welcome to reflect, update or communicate on this blog.  We will be utilizing the blog for the 2012 MS1's to post their weekly reflections while they are in Ecuador, as well as pre- and post Ecuador.  Now everyone will get to hear about each volunteer's experiences, thoughts and growth. 

We look forward to hearing from everyone!