As a new member to the team I planned to get ready for the mission by reading past blogs and trip reports. I thought that would prepare me for the experience and what to expect. To be honest, there is no preparation or way I can truly capture this experience in my epilogue. As detailed in my team 3 blog entries, I am a resident orthopaedic surgeon. A large part of my training involves teamwork, that nebulous concept we all recognize, but is impossible to create at whim. I began this mission contemplating how a group of eight individuals, who had never met, could gather in a sleep and resource-deprived setting and become the team that was necessary to serve our patients. We were lucky to have a couple of mission veterans with us including Dr. St Clair, who had assumed a new role as team leader. What I experienced was how a group of committed individuals could overcome innumerable obstacles to help those in greatest need. The words “we can’t” didn’t exist. Instead, “let’s find a way” became our team mantra. This team dynamic reinforced my deep belief in the power of gratitude. Our patients and their family’s gratitude were expressed in the whispered thank yous of a rural villager to the full embrace of an orphaned child. There was a shared gratitude between the Ugandan medical staff and our team for how much we all learned. I was routinely amazed by the profound gratitude of the Ugandan people. The appreciation they expressed for something as small as a used pair of sneakers to the care they provided for their families made me reflect on how essential gratitude is to shaping our perspective.
I was fortunate to have been a part of Dr. St Clair’s team. It was educational and inspirational to join someone as they assumed a new leadership role. In particular, my perspective of the mission was deeply affected when we lost a young woman with an open femur fracture on our third day in Mbarara. I was emotionally prepared to be part of a team who always “saved the day”. This was a different situation. Observing how Dr. St Clair efficiently moved through the obstacles in an attempt to get her appropriate care was impressive. Afterwards, he demonstrated that it was OK to “feel” the loss. This helped our team use the experience as a constant reminder to push ourselves and use every moment to make the greatest difference possible. It is this lesson along with countless others from technical surgical pearls, to life lessons in teamwork, gratitude, and integrity that made Spine Uganda a life-changing experience.
To those who contributed to this mission, I wish to express my deepest thanks. To those that are new to the Mission, I implore you to make a difference in any way you can. Africa is too often portrayed as a hopelessly deprived continent that is impossible to change. Change comes slowly; but I promise that you can see and feel it in Mbarara. Nelson Mandela said that things always seem impossible until they are done. Be a part of making that change. Please consider getting involved in Spine Mission Uganda and be the change you wish to see in the world.
I was fortunate to have been a part of Dr. St Clair’s team. It was educational and inspirational to join someone as they assumed a new leadership role. In particular, my perspective of the mission was deeply affected when we lost a young woman with an open femur fracture on our third day in Mbarara. I was emotionally prepared to be part of a team who always “saved the day”. This was a different situation. Observing how Dr. St Clair efficiently moved through the obstacles in an attempt to get her appropriate care was impressive. Afterwards, he demonstrated that it was OK to “feel” the loss. This helped our team use the experience as a constant reminder to push ourselves and use every moment to make the greatest difference possible. It is this lesson along with countless others from technical surgical pearls, to life lessons in teamwork, gratitude, and integrity that made Spine Uganda a life-changing experience.
To those who contributed to this mission, I wish to express my deepest thanks. To those that are new to the Mission, I implore you to make a difference in any way you can. Africa is too often portrayed as a hopelessly deprived continent that is impossible to change. Change comes slowly; but I promise that you can see and feel it in Mbarara. Nelson Mandela said that things always seem impossible until they are done. Be a part of making that change. Please consider getting involved in Spine Mission Uganda and be the change you wish to see in the world.
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