The Other Side of the Iguana 

 The credit for this title goes to Dean, a fellow PT, while we were walking in the woods looking for lemurs last weekend. While on the walk, we saw many iguanas, fungus, carnivorous plants, frogs, and of course lemurs. A walk in nature is always a treat for me. Like many blogs, disconnected parts were in my head. After taking a photo of literally the other side of the iguana than everyone else, Dean said something to the effect of,  "One of the things I like about you is that you are not afraid to look at things differently. You look at the other side of the iguana." He gave me permission to use the title :) Sometimes I like being different; sometimes I want to be more like the chameleon camouflaging into the environment.

One of the interesting aspects of living on this ship is how everyone expresses and experiences the same circumstances differently. Yes, culture plays a part, but the way God created our brains to work differently and have different talents plays a part too. Working with children and adults who look differently physically fosters looking with a different perspective. One that is able to see the true person, to see past the deformities, to see their value.

Working with different cultures and ways of practicing medicine causes us to sometimes to change our perspective. The way we were trained or have been doing the task or recording the measurements may not be the best way. Sometimes, we need to see the other side of the iguana. 

Each patient the rehab team will be working with during their stay with Mercy Ships receives a thorough pre-operation assessment. One of the pieces is their goals. We are wanting a functional goal, but often get the "to been like everyone else." This is phrased in a variety of ways: to not be laughed at, to be able to wear a shoe like everyone, to be able to wear pants like others. Often with prodding we will be able to squeeze out a functional goal. This week one mom whose son had two fingers stuck together had been thinking about this for awhile. She responded that she wanted her son to be able to wear a wedding ring one day and to be able to count. Another one who has two thumbs on one hand wanted to be able to open a package. 

I often take these seemingly small things for granted. It is refreshing to have a different perspective. A reminder to be grateful for the aspects of life I take for granted. Often, I want to fit in the round hole, to see things the way others do, to be "normal". When I am reminded of the value and beauty of God in the variety of life, I am grateful we are different. I am glad we can look on the other side of the iguana. 

So as we enter this new calendar year, I pray you will be able to give yourself and others the freedom to be who you/they are, allow yourself to look at the other side of the iguana, to have courage to follow your God given dreams and desires.

Here are some photos of "the other side of the iguana" for most us in the developed countries.

Beautiful colors in the woods

Carnivorous Plant/Flower

There is sticky liquid in the bottom. This is what attracts, catches the flies and other insects, and digests them. When there are bugs present, the lid closes

Beauty even on the floor of the forest

Heading to market on the canal

One of the many fisherman we saw. The nets are the fish traps

Another heading to market one push at a time

This is a family heading to market. I like the red hat on the mother.