A Reflection From Within
It was 2014. I was in Monrovia, Liberia working as a doctor during the highly noted Ebola epidemic. I had been there for over 5 weeks and was feeling frustrated by my seemingly lack of ability to actually help those suffering from Ebola. I found myself rewriting protocols that the WHO and MSF has already mastered yet were not shared with the multitude of organizations flocking to help during the crisis. When needs of the community shifted, our organization was seemingly locked into a plan that had been agreed upon weeks before by the donors.
In the time I did work in the wards, I basically watched people die only able to offer acetaminophen, motrin and intravenous fluids in hopes to alleviate the pain and suffering related to this horrific viral disease. With over a 90% death rate, Ebola spared no age group. I watched infants suckle on their dead mother’s breast…only to then watch the infant die of starvation. The few that miraculously survived this disease were met with further challenges, like health complications and social ousting.
Amidst the human DYS-EASE, the organizational DYS-COORDINATION, and much DYS-COURAGEMENT, a week before I was set to leave, my organization offered I go home early as the center we were building would not yet be open.
I declined.
They asked, “well, what ELSE can you do in this last week?”
That night I drew up my first MURAL design, estimated my costs and got it approved by my organization the next morning. After hearing of my desire, a group of local men went beyond expectation and built me a bridge and platform on which to work. In the last 5 days of my time in Liberia, I completed a 7 x 35 foot mural with the help of two locals on the back retaining wall of what was to be our treatment ward, which later became a community resource center. In those days of painting for nearly 8 hours straight, I felt so much CONNECTION arise, more than in my entire time there. In a situation when NO human contact was acceptable, as before even knowing one was sick, the bodily fluids, including sweat were loaded with the virus and thereby high transmission risks. So many locals walked by and said ‘thank you.’ They would stand a few feet behind me and watch me paint for hours. They brought their family members whom were also artists to share their artwork with me.
A day after completion, I left, never to know the true impact yet feeling proud and inspired by my ability to think outside of why I was there (as a doctor) and explore other ways I could help… other ways I could give back to a community so severely suffering. In the end I was reminded that my gift of art can also be a powerful source of HEALING and CONNECTION.
My intention is to point out that we ALL have ways in which to CONTRIBUTE in times of disaster and suffering…sometimes it just requires STEPPING OUTSIDE of what we THINK is needed and feeling into what GIFTS we have to share. I believe that everything that has happened to me in my life has PREPARED me for this exact moment.
Sending you love, light, peace and wellness.🧡❤️🖤
