Power of the Human Spirit

Mia Paredez, OTR/L is from Northridge Hospital in Southern California. This is her second mission and she has become an indispensable team member, loved by children, parents, and all who encounter her.  Her energy is infectious and she can make anyone smile.

Mia holds a baby, while mom sees the doctor.

Here she shares her experience:  

I am not sure I can ever truly put into words what goes on here, with this unique group of people; we come together and venture into unknown places, trying our best to change lives for the better.

This is my second year here.  I thought I knew what to expect, but as life has it things did not start out according to plan.  After our four hour plane ride, followed by a five hour bus ride we were told that we needed to prepare for clinic the next day.  The clinic site was to be a two hour drive, yet there was not one complaint in the group.  I knew then that everyone was ready to serve and that we shared a common purpose.

I had forgotten how much I did not miss the cold showers, flooded bathrooms, and total blackouts in the city (while having dinner in town).  I had forgotten the challenge of knowing that you just have one shot with each patient who comes to you.  In this brief time you must evaluate, treat, and then discharge this person.  One can only hope that somehow, someway in that ten minutes, you have made a positive impact in their life.  But maybe what I had most forgotten was the gratitude on people's faces, the smiles in their eyes, and the overwhelming feeling that just maybe we are doing something right.

Mia is elated to see her patient make progress.

Tonight a small group of us had the opportunity to visit a young man in his home.  All we knew was that the patient had been in a motorcycle accident earlier this year and had broken his back and legs.  Immediately upon our arrival, it was evident that we were dealing with someone with a cervical spinal cord injury.  He has very limited mobility in his arms and is paralyzed from the chest down.  Yet this young man was full of hope and ready to do any exercise presented to him.  What he had not done since his accident, ten months ago, was learn to perform the most basic life skills.  The team was able to teach him to weave a fork between his fingers so that he could feed himself.  He also learned to use both hands to lift a glass and give himself a drink of water.  Seeing the look on his face, after he took a drink of water independently for the first time after his accident is what this mission is all about.  I am so thankful that we were able to have a positive impact on his recovery.    It is people like him, who in the wake of a life changing injury, can genuinely smile and be so full of hope, that make me love my job both at home and on the international front.  The power of the human spirit really is boundless.  

 

 

Comments

[Kelly Grimes]

Mia, I love you so much and am so proud of you. Thank you for reminding me that hope lie in all sorts of pockets and corners of the world. All my love and thoughts to you and the team for the remainder of your mission.
xoxo

[Mimi Kim]

Miamore,

I'm so glad that you had an opportunity to make a difference in this particular man's life. I mean, allowing a person to function at his maximum is what OT is all about, right? You make me so proud, not only because of your awesome OT skills, but because you truly care and are selflessly compassionate.

Keep working hard and serving to the best of your ability, Mia!

You are making such a positive impact in these beautiful people's lives! I can't wait to hear all about it when you come back to us.

Miss you much,

mimi

p.s. I also hope that your Spanish is improving exponentially so you can help improve mine! (senior, muave un pelo aqui, y muave otro pelo aqui)

[Ann Luc]

Mia,

So happy and proud of you, you are at it again!! You are such an amazing person who gives so much and is so selfless. Thanks for making a big difference in people's lives.

Ann