From Deseret News archives:
Mending bodies, building a legacy
Utahns leave their hearts and a new clinic in Haiti
"There will be other children here. They will need toys, too," the children would tell the Utahns.
Frederick looms large in the reporter's memory. The team discusses at some length what a malnourished child should consume. The girl, younger than a year, is thread-thin and too weak to sit up on her own.
After the medical exam, she is sent to Frederick for strengthening exercises. Frederick cradles the child against her, cupping her chin in her hand as she shows the girl's parents a simple way to get her to swallow by massaging her throat.
So simple. So key to life.
Dennis Kurumada, a cameraman who has for decades covered Utah news and who is Becky Kurumada's husband, admits he's a little cynical. He's photographed some of the worst atrocities the human mind can conceive.
But the night the clinic has its grand opening, he's feeling strangely emotional. He's visited the orphanages, videotaped filth, poverty and sorrow. He knows how important rehabilitation is. "We are witnessing a miracle," he said quietly.
Inside, local dignitaries mingle. The difference is clear in the languages being spoken. Indoors, people such as popular TV and radio talk-show host Elizabeth Parisot speak French, the language of the elite. There are local physicians, public officials, church leaders, missionaries. Out on the balcony, they're speaking common-man Creole, spelled here Kreyol.
Still, though they'll never mix socially, the group Lowe calls "the uppity uppities" are fiercely dedicated to the concept of rehabilitation. They give money, time, suggestions.
Dr. Idgie Garnier, an orthopedic surgeon who works long hours at St. Vincent's in an operating room that wouldn't be an adequate supply closet in America, calls the new clinic "exciting. We don't have rehabilitation hospitals in Haiti. This is the first long-term follow-up specializing in that care. In Haiti, the handicapped are pushed away. They need a better quality of life."
Parisot believes rehabilitation will be important if Haitians are ever to see those with disabilities as capable and important.
At the end of the week, in shifts, the group begins to fly home. As they wait in the stifling airport, it is likely most thoughts turn to the final clinic, the one that marked a new phase for Healing Hands for Haiti.
Comments
- Manilow keeping things romantic 10:06 a.m.
- U.S. Marines launch large offensive 10:05 a.m.
- GM Chair names new execs 10:02 a.m.
- Suicide attackers kill 36 at mosque 9:56 a.m.
- Stocks surge after jobs report 9:54 a.m.
- Film star Richard Todd dies at 90 9:46 a.m.
- NY prof wrongly ID'd files suit 9:44 a.m.
- Obama encouraged by jobs report 9:39 a.m.
- Obama targets bailout fund for bill 9:38 a.m.
- Senators seek cost controls 9:37 a.m.
- Mr. Football 2009: Tuni Kanuch
- Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
- Harpring's NBA career is over
- Phoenix signs off on LDS temple
- MVPs wrap up stellar prep careers
- Miller predicted Tiger's rough road
- Crews to seal Nutty Putty Cave
- Doctor deems Mitchell competent
- Jazz: Miles, Kirilenko to play Friday
- 5A high school football All-State
- Hall reprimanded by MWC
406 - Max Hall issues apology
393 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
361 - Why is Y. ignoring spew of hatred?
287 - Utes won't respond to Hall
278 - BYU says Hall incident resolved
247 - Letters: Liberal because LDS
222 - 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
188 - Aggies shoot past Cougars
175 - Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
168
First, a big thank you to all who posted questions here for me to ask...
Zions Bank has a free online holiday gift planner that's creating some...
If you want to learn what it's like to be an astronaut on the...
Love the Green!!
Great people go to heaven; great baseball players go to Cooperstown; great...
Flags should fly at half-mast for this sad event. I am in deep mourning.....A...
There are many spineless creatures that roam the roads of Utah. Too bad...
Now that my Seattle Supersonics no longer exist, the Jazz are gonna steal...
TO: Provide for yourself: Why so hostile? Cyclists have every right to use...
Matt is an example of the last of the "Good Guys" in sports. Clean cut, no...
Congratulations Tanner! Your hardwork has paid off so far. Good luck in the...
But, but, but... If we don't allow our politicians to be corrupt, then no...
talk about walking into a bear trap. This is one for worlds dumbest criminals




You can be the first to comment on this story.