I asked for the opportunity to write today, since it was the last day of medical consultations at Centro de Ann Sullivan de Peru. We were more efficient each day, so that each day we were able to see more patients thant the previous day. First some thoughts about the school and staff, then the people and the patients, then me.
I am amazed by the school and its philosophy. Their motto is ¨Make the impossible possible¨. They believe in teaching parents on how to teach their children, so that their children, who society neither helps nor expects much from, can contribute to the home and society. In many cases, they are successful in helping children and adults gain meaningful employment. I love seeing how patient and caring everyone is with each other and the students. Everyone really feels and acts as family. I said yesterday to the director, Liliana, that I have trouble distinguishing between the teachers and the parents. That is because the teachers love and care like parents, and the parents have become experts in teaching like the teachers. It is a wonderful realationship that I think we all could and should learn from.
The parents have an inner confidence and strength that is remarkeable and wonderful to witness and feel. So many come from humble situations, but they have the same desires, worries, fears that you and I have for ourselves and our families. From a medical standpoint, I know there is so much that could be done or should be tried to improve these children´s lives, and I often became frustrated in my unfamiliarity with the names of medications that are used here in Peru (it is not uncommon for names of medications in different countries to be totally different to those we use in the United States, even if the medication is exactly the same). Also limiting was knowing that some medications are prohibitevely expensive or that some simply weren´t available in Peru. Many individuals have been taught fears about certain medications or quantities of medication that we know are safe from use in clinics back home but it takes time to reteach and reassure that we can do so so that the health of their child can improve. There is a particular need to develop a comprehensive strategy of education, counseling-training, and medications to help with inteferring behaviors associated with autism.
Finally, me. I came to Peru with the expectation that I could give someing back to God for all the blessings he has given me, particularly to opportunity to study and learn medicine and to be in a position where I can travel and do service such as this. That certainly was the case here. But I didn´t expect that so quickly I would form a bond of friendship and family with everyone here -- staff, parents, patients, and my fellow VIM Peru team members. It really has been an experienced that touched me deeply, perhaps because brought to the surface feelings similar to those I had as a missionary in Argentina 20 years ago. I certainly now look forward to being able to return to CASP and continue to help in this small way those patients we were able to help this week.
I close now with the same scripture that I wrote in the guest book of CASP earlier this afternoon: "Inasamuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:40)
Chau, que Dios les bendiga a todos que han sorpurtado a nosotros aqui. Le agradezco a Dios que yo tuveira la oportunidad de servirle en esta manera.
Dr. Darcy
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