On the opposite spectrum, what is one of the most positive things that you’ve encountered?
Seeing the kids’ lives turned around. George was the first child that I brought over here. He is a Liberian boy, and a refugee living in Sierra Leon. He was badly burned when he was six months old. He had tipped boiling water over himself and his hands were closed up so we brought him here, and he never looked back, he was just in it for the adventure. This three year old child was just gung-ho into it, and didn’t know what to expect. He was here for seven months, unfortunately not here in LA, but was being treated in a hospital in Ohio. But I did get to spend a week with him before he went back, and just seeing this child who can now use his hands completely and have no limitations, was incredible. And there was another child who we brought back from Cote d’Ivoire who had swallowed acid, and the acid had burned his esophagus so he had a feeding tube into his nose to his stomach. This child is now able to eat, after a few procedures, and they’ve removed his feeding tubes and he’s gone back to his country and his family, to his twin sister and his older sister and his parents who love him. Now he won’t have to live with the dangerous situation of having a feeding tube in a developing country where the risk of infection is so great. So just seeing the difference it makes in the children is amazing.
What personal exchange most stands out to you?
I might have to give that one some thought. Along the way you’re helped by so many people. I love observing people and human nature and so traveling with children. A healthy child is challenging enough, and sometimes we have other challenges when traveling with children with medical conditions, but I’m always touched by the generosity and kindness of other people who are willing to help along the way.
