Looking for Trouble

March 24, Gaza’s spirit shines forth, by Gerri Haynes

(Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility has traveled to Gaza since 1993. Since 2009, following the Cast Lead invasion by Israel, WPSR has sponsored nine medical delegations to serve the people of Gaza.)

New physicians are attending general orientation through the Ministry of Health in Gaza City – a wonderful group of women and men, obviously invested in learning. Grant O’Keefe talked with them this morning about trauma care; I spoke with them about palliative care and patient/family/professional decision-making.

Bob Haynes and Bill Dienst initiated a full course in Advanced Cardiac Life Support. They will spend the next two days with this group, providing a full ACLS course. The morning was great fun for all of us!

Several members of our group visited the Palestine Future Institution – Center for the care of children with cerebral palsy. This Center serves 150 children with varying levels of ability in an amazing, loving atmosphere.

The children are integrated as much as possible into area schools for part of their education – this is a carefully monitored process. The director, who told me during our last visit that he doesn’t love his job, he adores it, gave us a tour of the facility and demonstrated the new playground equipment he recently acquired – equipment that

accommodates children in wheelchairs.

The Center’s library is being expanded and we were again thankful to donors who gave us contributions for this important place.

We were then invited us to participate in a Mother’s Day celebration. In a large hall full of children, mothers and staff, we danced and clapped and cried and were grateful to be a part of this day.

Near the end of the hour, the teacher leading the activities spoke of Koranic teachings about mothers and then told of the tragedy that last summer’s war on Gaza created.

Mothers and children were killed. In the assembly today, one young girl stood to be acknowledged and was held in the arms of many who have supported her in the months since her Mother died in an Israeli bombing.

The teacher told of emotional and material care provided to this girl by the staff of the Center. I have not experienced an atmosphere of greater love.

Our delegation continues to provide direct care. Chuck Cowan has a full schedule working with professionals and parents of children who have autism – exploring and teaching ways to improve family-centered care for these children.

Grant O’Keefe operated through most of the day, returning in the evening to accompany our group to another falafel adventure.

The exuberance of the falafel vendors/craftsmen is fantastic to behold. They move with rapid precision to produce delicious food, but the joy they exude is their greatest product. They infect the crowd with laughter and delight – a lesson for all!

In Gaza, having survived three wars in six years, the intrepid spirit of the people shines forth.