The Kramer-Urner Family’s Story
I am nominating Mary Anne, Dave and Sage (age 13) Kramer-Urner who have devoted themselves, completely and selflessly, as citizen diplomats to the long-term success of rebuilding in Haiti since the earthquake. They knew, individually, and as a family, the impact that they could have both professionally and as citizen diplomats.
After the devastating earthquake on January 12, as a family, they felt called to action. Their efforts were immediate and their commitment fierce. Mary Anne was the first Physicians for Peace mission volunteer to arrive in Haiti. She went into an unknown, volatile situation because she believed her experience as a physical therapist working with amputees provided her a gift to share.
Originally planning to travel sometime in the summer, Mary Anne left for Haiti with just 3 days notice. While there, she worked tirelessly, and in extreme conditions, serving the vast number of amputees. She rehabbed, fitted, and trained patients to use prosthetics to ensure a better quality of life. As the inaugural representative for Physicians for Peace's participation in the Amputee Coalition, Mary Anne served as an ambassador and initiated relationships that are still in place for our organization, and are enjoyed by each PT that has followed her.
Her husband then followed in her footsteps. Also a skilled PT with years of amputee experience, Mary Anne sites him as her mentor. So moved by Mary Anne's experience, Dave signed up immediately upon her return. So passionate about the work being done, Dave contacted the in-country coordinators for a list of items needed at the clinic. He rallied friends and neighbors to donate the items, and instead of using his 2 bag luggage allotment for clothing, he packed to suitcases of donations and carried on a small bag of personal necessities for his 10 day stay.
All the while her parents were discussing their experiences, Sage Kramer-Urner (just 13 years-old), was quietly making plans of her own to go to Haiti. Mom and dad thwarted her travels, promising she could go once she reached 14; but Sage was committed. She remains a steadfast and eager supporter of Physicians for Peace and pitches in to help the parent "left behind" while the other is traveling.
Truly a family affair, the Kramer-Urners' commitment to the long-term success of the Haitian people and their health care is deeply rooted in their belief that Physicians for Peace is blazing a path of healing, training, and empowering through its volunteer medical diplomats.
The overall impact of the Kramer-Urners' service to Physicians for Peace in Haiti and as citizen diplomats for the US, is vast. Long before the January earthquake, amputation was a common occurrence, with thousands of victims. While PFP has been working to provide direct care to patients, as well as training and resources to in-country partners, the earthquake compounded an already overwhelming health issue.
From Mary Anne's first moments, the Kramer-Urners have been contributing to the success of this partnership. They have participated in single-PT missions, providing direct care and fostering relationships with new in-country partners. Mary Anne has addressed her community a number of times to raise awareness and financial resources for PFP, and has addressed our Board of Trustees on the work she did, and advised on the long term commitment. Dave has also reached out to their local community, speaking to church groups and friends to collect gift-in-kind donations, as well as financial resources. Sage has worked to support her parents at home and while they travelled through encouragement and love.
The Kramer-Urner's are life-partners in a commitment in rebuilding Haiti, and ensuring that all Haitians, pre-and post-earthquake, receive the life-changing limbs they need to get back to living.
They are the standard by which all citizen diplomats should be measured.
Their story can best be told in their own words. Here are some excerpts from the extensive blog they published nearly every day while in Haiti:
In Mary Anne's words from her blog: 3/25/2010 (Work day #4)
"Little by little, the bird builds its nest"
My heart is getting fuller and in that way, softer and more vulnerable. Shaun told me this little bird saying when I was talking to him yesterday. I'd been talking about how overwhelming the need is around here. It helped to put things into a clearer perspective.
The problems that I see and feel here are not new. They are not all as a result of the earthquake. Many of the problems stem at least partially from decades, if not centuries, of neglect of an entire people by those in power. It seems that Haiti's overwhelming debt to other nations is largely to blame. So, it was comforting to have a longer view with this bird's nest saying.
Jennith and I saw 26 patients between the two of us today. The days are full and seem to fly by, sort of in a blur. I was interviewed today by John (MSNBC photographer) regarding 4 year-old Schnelly and his progress, as well as his expected potential. It's part of their wrap-up story, and it will air tonight. Dave and Sage have been keeping track of me by watching the MSNBC online show.
My patients are amazing. All courageous survivors—some lost their limbs because of the earthquake, others lost them years earlier, or were born with them. All of them are welcomed here at the Clinic. For those who had prior amputations, this opportunity to get a prosthesis is simply a miracle. Many people have travelled hours and hours to get here, and now anxiously await their new limb. Some have nowhere to go once they get their prosthesis. So much wasted potential and talent. I'm still struggling with that. And, in the meantime, I do the best that I can every minute of every day in giving the gift of my service and knowledge. And more upon her return while husband Dave was in Haiti, June 24, 2010:
I spoke with Dave tonight. He sounded really good; exhausted and invigorated, all at the same time. He saw about 18 patients at the clinic on the first day, and really felt like he'd hit the ground running–it was all pretty much a blur. It was him and one other PT from Boston trying to manage a busload of people from Port-au-Prince. But, by today, they'd figured out some organizational methods that helped rein in the chaos a bit, and he felt much better about how the flow went.
He's in awe of all the beautiful people he's encountered. Their resilience and positive attitudes have been infectious. His patient handling skills have come right back to him which allows him to feel that his presence there is meaningful and effective (I knew that would happen!) He also said that he can really picture me, Sage [their daughter] and him there someday (so can I).
The tent hand-off went well at the airport, once Dave finally arrived there. The tent is still in Port-au-Prince, but hopefully it will get up to the mountain community of Duval this weekend (the thunderstorms have prevented travel there so far). Regardless of when the tent actually makes it up there, I'm happy to know that it's in Haiti and that it will make it to Aunt Margaret and her family very soon.
Update: Day 3
Dave called from the clinic this morning just before the morning busload of folks arrived for prosthetic fitting and training. He told me something that happened yesterday. He worked with a 12 year-old girl who had lost her leg above the knee, and both of her parents, in the earthquake. He said that she mainly just stared out ahead of her, not really focused or engaged. As he described it, he started to choke up. That's when it really hit me that he was describing someone Sage's age. We were both just silent for a moment, feeling the deep sadness of that thought. I thought about her being in a deep state of shock. Broke my heart. Each story of loss and sadness is unique, yet all are so much alike. I'm glad that Dave is there, sharing his very big heart. He is doing really important work.
Update: Father's Day
Sage and I were able to speak to Dave yesterday for Fathers' Day. He sounded great, having had his first day off since his arrival. He and some others took a 3 hour hike (all uphill!) to a place called Verrette Falls yesterday. It was hot, hot, hot—requiring lots of water—but the water fall was lovely.
He told me that the 12 year-old girl (Nahomi) I wrote about last week was better on Saturday when he worked with her. She'd begun to make eye contact, smile and even laugh a little. It seems like a bit of hope is seeping in.
He was gearing up for another busy Monday when a busload of people are brought in from Port-au-Prince for limb casting. That and the group of people who are staying at L'Escale (the nearby hospital housing for people training to use their limbs). There are now 2-3 P.T.s and a P.T. Assistant, so the clinic is well staffed with a great group of folks. He's taking lots of pictures, so I'm looking forward to seeing how things have changed (and how some things have stayed the same!) since my time there.
Update: I'm Back!
Well, I've returned from Haiti and am safely and comfortably back home. What an amazing 2 weeks I have had, and I will have many stories to share once I start to process all I've experienced. Very short, simple version: I had an excellent time working with some great PTs, with quite remarkable patients--people who have so much life in them, in the midst of a devastated country, that you can't help but admire and love them. I feel like I brought so much good will, from you all, and did some good things there, helped a lot of people. But it's hard to escape the fact that there is still such overwhelming need. As a PT who was in Haiti some years ago said, "It is the most hopeless country, with the most hopeful people." I think she got it right.