From one Shaky City to the Next...

Some might think that it is ironic that I have left one earthquake stricken city for another. However, living and working through the devastating Christchurch earthquakes has emoted a compassion in me for helping survivors of earthquakes elsewhere. Perhaps it is a remnant of some survivor guilt, or just a desire to use my skills where they are really needed, or the realisation through years of rehabilitative work, that it is hope that fuels the human spirit. Maybe it is a self healing mission to help me put my own experiences in perspective. One way or another I am very excited to have the opportunity to work as a physiotherapist in Haiti.

The Earthquake:
Although the extent of devastation in Christchurch did not quite meet the magnitude of devastation in Port-au-Prince, I am curious to see the contrast in the recovery of these two vastly different cities.

"The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7 earthquake, with an epicenter approximately 25 km west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. The earthquake occurred on Tuesday, 12 January 2010. An estimated three million people were affected by the quake; the Haitian government reported that an estimated 316,000 people had died, 300,000 had been injured and 1,000,000 made homeless" (ref. Wikipedia).

The Global Therapy Group:
This is a non-profit non-govermental organisation. They are part of the Haitian Governments Injury and Rehabilitation Disability Working Group. The team are working to provide sustainable rehabilitation services for the people of Haiti, run by the people of Haiti. As well as providing treatment to the local community, I will have a role to play in educating the Haitian employees, Andrew and Frantzo and in helping to develop the rehabilitation service. What compelled me most to work with this NGO is their forward thinking and their mission to strive for a more long term solution to the lack of rehabilitation services in Haiti. I believe that there is never a quick fix, investing in education and learning is the key to developing an appropriate and adequate service.

You may visit the Global Therapy Group website at:

 http://globaltherapygroup.org/Welcome.html and feel free to visit the donation page!

Salt Lake City airport 24/4/2012 

Sitting in Salt Lake City airport with only my Steinbeck novel and the butterflies in my stomach for company, I wonder why I am so anxious, and come to the conclusion that it is the dreaded fear of the unknown. I guess we all have a bit of a xenophobe in us. I reassure myself that the unknown is never as scary as we perceive, this I have learnt from many years of travel and adventuring in the outdoors.

I'm not sure what to expect and like any volunteer mission abroad one tends to learn much more than they actually make a difference. I am under no illusion in this regard! But if I can just insight some enthusiasm for learning in the local staff, or help to raise the profile of the Global Therapy Group, I will be happy, and if I get to make a slight difference to the lives of some individuals, then that will make me smile.