The scrubs were clean and ready to go. Bubbles, balloons, stickers were in the bag ready to go. Flip flops were on my feet, and I was ready to go. For weeks, months really, the crew on the Africa Mercy had been preparing for screening day in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Our train of white Land Rovers slowly moving through the streets too early in the morning for my eyes to be open. Just like two years ago in Benin, my eyes started watering when I saw the line of people waiting for our help. Many desperate to see a doctor. The stadium had been set up, the first patients heading our way.
This screening wasn't going to be the same as the many many screenings that have happened in the past. Thousands had come for help. Things went wrong. I don't know what. 13 people were injured and one man died. It seems like it happened so fast, but also took forever.
My heart is with the people injured, and the families. They are all recovering. I still don't know the name of the man who died. I have so many questions, but realize that I may never know the answers.
That day, my heart broke.
No comments:
Post a Comment