Adventures of Life

Perspective

This week I have been thinking about perspective. The combination of nearsightedness and farsightedness. If one does not have goals, purpose for anything in life is lacking. If, however, if one does not live in the present, one misses the simple meaningful joys of everyday.

This week I had the opportunity to go with some crew members to the school for children who are deaf. It was one of the local ministries that Mercy Ships has come alongside while here. About 60 children attend the school. The sign language is Malagasy sign language. When we spoke, English was translated to Malagasy which was translated to sign language.

The children were divided into three groups according to age. I had the little ones. Our activities were two simple puzzles and connect four game. I gave each child a puzzle piece to participate. After completing each twice, we moved on to Connect Four of sorts. About 15 boys and girls were sitting in a semi-circle. I held the "board" giving each one piece. They took turns placing the pieces into the board in random order. When all the pieces were in, I opened the bottom. The biggest laughs and smiles came watching the pieces crash. All was going well until one boy wanted more than one piece. The other children thinking it was a good idea began grabbing. When chaos ensued, I suddenly realized I had no way to communicate. I realized I had grown accustomed to physical deformities on face, hands, legs, chest, but forgotten about less physically obvious disablities.

One of the older students came to my rescue. Her name was Julia. Once the children were organized and "playing"began again, they were satisfied to play over and over until I got bored. We then began singing songs with motions like "head shoulders knees and toes." I was struck by the fact that the children were completely entertained by such a simple activity for so long. They can play with a tire and a long stick for hours as well. Many children in the developed world have lost this ability over the past few years. Unless they are encouraged to imagine and provided unplanned time to be creative, children do not know how to entertain themselves. Perspective: seeing things from far away.

This is Julia. When arrived, we all received a sign for our "name." Most were a sign of a necklace or pony tail. Mine was a "J" sign on the nose. This was the sign Julia used. She was excited to meet someone else with her name. I was quite surprised myself as Julia is a "Vazaha (Foreigner) " name. She chose to help me with the young children rather than the activity for the older children. She wanted a picture with me.

This reminded me of when I was in first grade and met a Julia in the 8th grade. I thought it was so neat to have someone older than me with the same name. Simply by being older made her my hero. Last week, I was the older Julia making a younger Julia's day simply being me. Perspective.

Photo credit Mercy Ships

Photo credit: Mercy Ships

Dr. Frank, the orthopedic surgeon who was here, often said, "See one, do one, teach one." When this is completed, you know how to perform the task. This is pretty much how I have learned here. After we had been serial casting clubfeet for a couple of weeks, Mercy Ships hosted a Ponseti Clinic for the local PTs and brace makers. The afternoon was the lab. I was teaching how to hold and apply a proper cast. Depending on which end of the spectrum you are looking at depends on whether or not I was an "expert." I did know more than they did, but still have much more to learn.

Many of the little ones are becoming accustomed to the cast saw, xrays, and cast application. Some who used to throw big tantrums only whimper and are calmed easily. Their perspective has changed. They know now, that is truly does not hurt. Balloons and a pair of oversized gloves to pretend to be doctor also help. Glitter on the top of the cast (at least until it falls off) is also exciting.