Life is full of transitions. Some are easier than others and some are more welcome than others. I know that my life has been full of transitions especially as a traveling OT. I recently finished a contract in Elk City, OK that I was at for just about 9 months. It was a time full of unknowns, new experiences, new people, and more adventures. At the beginning of November, I finished my contract and drove from OK back to NY to visit my family for a couple weeks. My most recent adventure I just returned from was a medical mission to the Dominican Republic. I have been across the border to Haiti a few times with Mission of Hope International however this was my first time going to the DR with them. 

Haiti has become ridden over the years with devastation, extreme poverty, and violence. The beautiful country and people have been going through transitions that I can’t even imagine. Many Haitians have fled across the border to the DR and are working on starting new lives but are in constant fear of immigration and being deported. While in the DR, I met many of these people in the three villages we visited. During our time in the villages, we helped to serve food for the baby feeding program and we set up medical clinics. We were able to see approximately 88 people from ages 2 months to 112 years old (yes that is correct…112). Most complaints were coughs and cold like symptoms, pregnancy, high blood pressure, back and neck pain, and wounds. 

Prior to going to the DR, I knew that I wanted to gain some more education and experience to help the people during clinics. One way I could do that was by taking courses and becoming wound care certified. I’m really glad I had the chance to do that because I was able to see a couple patients who had just had surgeries and were concerned about their incision sites and I also was able to help two people who came to a clinic with foot wounds. Thank you to everyone who donated supplies that I was able to use in order to clean and bandage these wounds. 

Coming back from the DR was a difficult transition. I”m going to get vulnerable for a minute. While in the DR I had a consistent place to stay with a bed and I felt like I really belonged there and had a purpose. Back here in the US, I am fortunate enough to have family members allowing me to couch surf and I am in between work contracts. There are a lot of unknowns about what my next steps are and it’s not an easy place to be in. I am working on figuring out what is best for me and my health (both physically and mentally) while also still being able to support myself and remain independent. While I sit in this time of transition, enjoy some pictures from the DR!

Picture 1: Feeding program

Picture 2: Wound care

Picture 3: The team dressed up for church

Picture 4: 112yo lady

Picture 5: Playing with the kids

Picture 6: Our view of the bay from the house

Here is a link to the latest blog post from Mission of Hope International:

https://www.mohintl.org/single-post/impact-lives-this-winter