Hello Everyone! I feel like I have abandoned you all for a few days. Lo siento. Things have been a bit intense here in Puerto Plata. The boys are the boys. I love them, but sometimes I want to pull my hair out. It is the moments of breakthrough, that make it so wonderful. So the house has been its normal level of chaos. But, I can tell you we are learning so much and coming up with some great things for these boys. The point system has been revamped and revived. Before the points were solely earned through tutoring, now it encompasses so much more. The boys get points for going to school, point boints for being on time. They can earn point by doing chores without having to be reminded, and loose them if their chores are not completed. If they fight points are lost, if they are caught being good they can earn them. The system is pretty in depth, I am impressed. Also, the points now work as their allowance system to help teach fiscal responsibility. The way it works is ‘x’ amount of points equals one peso. The boys money is then keep in our ‘bank.’ The boys can spend the money as they choose, but they are responsible for all their wants. The boys must talk about why they made their choice and why they think it was wise. As the boys grasp an understanding we will expand to more financial lessons. With all these great things coming into place you maybe wondering, ‘why has it been intense?’ The intensity has come from medical issues. Not my own. No, one of our boys, Gemse, has been having serious seizures. He had 2 in one day and the hospital brushed it off, but then after another seizure took it more seriously.(Dr. LaRusso thanks for answering my questions). He was given medicine, but the medicine didn’t have enough time to kick in before his net spell. That spell was incredibly scary. It began at 10:30 would last 30 minutes then pause. Then another episode would occur. Gemse was here at the volunteer house that night and it took about four volunteer to restrain him. After his second seizure he was drowsy then all the sudden became a character in a horror movie. I don’t know how else to describe it. It was as if he were possessed. He would try to bite the volunteers. He would say that a zombie was walking in his head. We wanted to get him to the hospital, but ambulances stop running at 10pm. No cab driver would have driven us and we just could imagine trying to restrain him in a beat up cab. That was my second all nighter watching Gemse. At 7am we were finally able to get him to the hospital where he was admitted to the ICU. While under the watch of doctors and doped up on drugs he has now had several more seizures. Gemsi remembers nothing during the seizures or about a half an hour preceding the seizure. As you can imagine, we are all very concerned for him and unsure of what to do once he is released. He has wanted to return to Haiti, but I don’t know if that is an option. I also don’t know if we can keep him in our house. I love him dearly and want the best for him, but what is the best? What can I give? I ask these questions and know that people here have to face them daily.
Tomorrow is Sunday. I am taking the day for total reflection and prayer with a sprinkling of laundry. I know one decision for sure, when I get back to the States I am looking into getting my EMT certification. It is not just seizure here. Today Alex got a cast. He broke his arm while playing soccer. We have 17 boys there are plenty of cuts, bruises and headaches. I am thankful I had two semester of Anatomy with Dr. Pasek. I feel slightly more equipped. Just to know how thing work together and have some background knowledge when speaking with the doctors aqui.
In summary, this summer is filled with trials- that is clear. But I have hope and energy. I have faith that the Lord will provide. And I am reminding myself that if it were an easy, simple task, then it would not be an effort that is for great change.
With hope, Cameron
P.S. I am sorry for any grammatical errors or misspellings. I typing fast and the key boards here are more than wack.
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