In early December 2019, there were rumors of an unknown virus that was anticipated to be very problematic in the world. Little did we know at that time that indeed such a reality took place and continues to affect us each day in variety of ways. At that time, in December 2019, we were in the midst of our final preparation for our annual Rotary Club Medical Missionary Trip to Guatemala in Central America. It wasn't until we actually arrived in Guatemala that the Community center where we usually focus most of our services was closed just hours before due to fears about this virus. Fortunately for us with the long-standing relationship with Rotary in Guatemala, this was only a hiccup so to speak because within hours we had two other very workable places to continue our services. Services included medical & physical evaluation, extensive optometry services provided by students, dental services of all sorts from dentists in Tennessee and Guatemala, as well as psychological services.
That's where I came in and worked primarily trauma treatment for the many individuals, children and adults, suffering from PTSD. Ironically, in spite of all the adjustments we had a busy and successful medical missionary trip. It was only as we returned to the United States that we became aware of impending travel restrictions, which unfortunately still remain and limits our current plans to return to Guatemala this year. Two interesting discoveries for all of us:
1. "Blessed are they who are flexible, they will never be bent out of shape.”
2. It is very important for us to ”think out-of-the-box", often out of the deep rut.
For me personally, over the next couple months I plan to virtually return to Guatemala by way of telemedicine and provide services to an orphanage which I have been associated with for many years. With the advances in telemedicine, the great assistant of translators, who appreciate what we bring to their country, I know we will be successful continuing to provide the services that are so desperately needed.
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