Before coming on the race I worked in an excellent hospital
as a radiation therapist for two years. I worked every weekday from 7am till
4pm treating 30-40 patients daily. I loved my job. Each patient that walked
through our department’s doors was treated with high quality care. Not one
person was turned away. Each person was treated the way the doctor prescribed
to his or her various cancer treatments.
The healthcare in the states weren’t perfect by any means.
And I don’t know exactly how the new health care bill will affect the
healthcare when I get back to the states, but I do know that anything is better
than the healthcare of what I have seen around the world.
In the Philippines I only heard of the care given. In Africa
I was able to walk the halls of their hospitals and see with my own eyes of the
healthcare received. Whether being told of the healthcare or being able to see it
first hand I can truly praise God for the care that is given in the states. My
heart breaks for the people around the world who are in need of care.
In the Philippines healthcare was only given if the money
was accessible. If a person had no money to give than no treatment was
received. People are turned away on a daily basis due to lack of funds. The
Philippines is full of people living under the poverty level. Some have a daily
struggle to provide a meal or home for themselves or their family. Back in March
I was blessed to be able to be involved in the feeding program of Kids
International Ministry in HSad, Philippines. One of the biggest locations that
we went was a gymnasium that proved the homes of over a hundred families.
Sheets and blankets separated each family as disease and infections ran rampent
there. Hungry rats rooming around bit children on a daily basis. It was not a
safe place for any one to live a life.
God blessed me by opening up an opportunity to work with the
nurse, Lydia at the ministry. I enjoyed cleaning out sores as well as
infections, and passing out vitamins. One day I remember a woman walking up to Lydia
and pointing at her breast. I knew immediately what she had. My stomach turned.
It was breast cancer. It was an advance stage and was breaking through her
skin. With no care she would have no hope.
It was on this day I learned just how big of a heart Lydia
had. Through a round about way I learned that through Lydia’s pocket this woman
was going to get treatment. Hope is never lost even if the fairness of the
world isn’t there.
Injustices happen every single day. Quit talking about them
and do something about them.
