Natural Doctors International

A Reminder In Human Connection

Three months ago I got on a plane headed to a new country filled with excitement and nerves. Suddenly I realized the adventure I was embarking on, and was unsure if I was prepared for it. Did I really learn anything in the past year that I could apply to the clinic? How am I going to do physical exams in a language that I don't know? Wait...Do I even know how to do a physical exam?! But despite the doubts I was expecting to go down and expand these skills and my medical knowledge, while helping a community that needed it. A win, win! 

Two days into the trip my nerves were settled. All of a sudden words were coming out of my mouth that I didn't know I understood. I was having full intelligent medical discussions with the doctors and other brigade members. I was thrown into the ring and I somehow managed to hold my own. However, I was surprised to find out that it wasn't only my medical knowledge and skills that were affected.

The Rancho where nightly classes took place 

Every evening, as a group we met at the "Racho", where we learned about the country of Nicaragua; it's past, it's politics, it's people, it's spirit. Suddenly, in a short period of time a country that wasn't even on my radar a few years ago was the center of my attention. I was spending my days working with the people, helping the community. My free time was spent socializing with my Nicaraguan host family and exploring the beautiful country. My evenings were spent learning about as much about the country as I could. I discovered that despite its economic poverty it is a country rich in spirit, culture, happiness, and hope. Slowly, one day at a time, I was falling in love. I became entranced. All the medical knowledge that I initially thought was going to be my primary focus took a back seat. 

Yes, I learned a lot while I was down there - and surprised myself with the knowledge I already had. But this wasn't my main focus. Quickly a small thing, so easily over looked in our modern day fast paced North American society, was controlling my every movement. The power of simple human connection and touch.

I had never taken Spanish prior to this trip (the only language spoken on the small island we were working at). The only Spanish skills I had with me were the few words Dora the Explorer spoke and even those I wasn't confident with. Though this skill would have been very handy in some situations. For example, being able to voice to my host mom that I don't want sugar in my coffee (I wound up with a more sugar than coffee situation). However, this inability to communicate also had a positive side. I was forced to step outside of my comfort zone and communicate beyond language alone. This involved a constant game of charades and a Spanish-English dictionary becoming my 5th appendage. But, this also meant I got to connect with my house family on a different level. It is something that is not done enough in today’s society. We are too busy on our phones, watching this tv show, finishing this paper, etc. to just sit with another person and just have space for one another and connect. Take away all the "amenities" of the first world and your left one true amenity that is too often missing - human connection.

Dancing, laughter, & love need no language.

Suddenly a smile meant so much - it was true and honest. And not only did it signal an emotion of happiness but it became an invitation for me to join her in her happiness. During one meal my house mom was telling a very emotion story, one I discovered later to be about the loss of her son, since I didn't understand a lot of what she was saying I was forced to connect to the story on a different level. I had to feed off her emotions and suddenly without even fully understanding the story I was feeling the same emotions she was. I could see the hurt and understand her grief. This is an experience I will never forget. It is empathy to its truest definition. 

This human connection is the driving force of the NDI clinic and its Brigades. I know for my brigade it was hot topic of discussion. We were thrown into this new position of "doctor" and for many of us the first ever patient-doctor interactions occurred - and without a common language. Each of us was forced to make human connections. Suddenly the light hand on the shoulder while listening to a their lungs was more then a stabilizing force. It was a communication. Patient's came from all over the island and literally waited all day just to see us student doctors and the two NDs that were working. I know I was expecting them to come and give us their complaints, us to treat them and then we would begin again with the next patient. What I wasn't expecting was what they would give and teach to me. 

With each patient, despite their difficult life, the hope and love I spoke of previously radiated from them. So much so that it was contagious. I was reminded of why I entered this profession. And what it was that lead me to where I am today. To be a doctor is so much more then to just treat and prescribe. We are blessed to get the chance to make this human connection everyday with our patients. This is something I will never take granted. So thank you Nicaragua & NDI for re-inspiring me and reminding me of what it is that truly matters.  

Thank you to everyone who made this trip an reality. It is because of you I was able to able to have this experience. 

With gratitude,

Brittany

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