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Thu 21 Aug, 2003 12:56 pm
I've been listening for the past half hour to interviews and discussions on NPR's Talk of the Nation about rescue workers overseas -- with the UN, with Doctors Without Borders, etc.
It's hard not to be horrified by the mess America has made in certain places and then be really moved by the other Americans who have signed up to do rescue and medical work in these places. There's something quite nutty that our country can produce at one and the same time so many destroyers and so many rebuilders.
We've probably all known someone -- or known about someone -- who has "soldiered on" in a place, like Baghdad, where rescue workers are at risk from -- and working alongside of -- American military who represent the political will of a particular administration which appears to wreak havoc without conscience.
I'd like to hear from those who've had experience in emergency/rescue/medical situations which are steeped in the irony of cleaning up the mess created by fellow Americans.
Well, this isn't exactly what you're describing, but I think it's pertinent. A woman I went out with for a while has subsequently become the foster parent for two Somali teenage cousins. My friend was (and no doubt still is) a church-goer, which created some conflicts between us, but it's clear to me that her faith really made a difference in a way I can appreciate, i.e., she walks the talk.
So, in a part of the world that we've either messed up (or totally ignored), she's someone doing something positive.
Right on, D'art. That's the kind of thing which I find really heartening. Now all we need to do is make sure people like that are in charge of our foreign policy -- as long as they walk the faith, not talk it!!
Agreed, T. I have a lot of respect for her for being a Christian who does something that reflects her faith in actions, rather than words. As opposed, for example, to our president, who waxes biblical whenever it suits him but whose actions seem anything but Christ-like!
Ditto. No problem at all with real Christians. It's the large-print plastic ones I dislike!
I wish MSF used paramedics! I would volunteer in an instant!
No.
I inquired about five years ago. Docs, nurses, PA's, dieticians (
), PT's, etc...but no EMS people. Apparently American style EMS training is still unusual world wide, so many of the nation's Docs and Nurses woudl be unsure what to do with us.
Voilá cher 'obit. Enfin -- au revoir...
"In general, MSF is looking for health professionals, administrators and logistics staff. Of the medical professions, MSF recruits general practice doctors, nurses, surgeons, anaesthetists and other specialists in such areas as tropical medicine, public health and epidemiology. In some projects, MSF also needs midwives, laboratory technicians and other paramedical volunteers..."
(from the MSF website)
You could be right but I'd be tempted to check again. Besides, they offer training...
By Paramedical, they meant lab techs, dieticians, etc...
Ah well, I'll just have to become an academic and annoy people like percy.
Shoot -- thought we'd gotten rid of you. Perc will be disappointed...
C'mon, Tart. The man don't know how.
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