On the first day of 2012 I gave my first media interview about living with HIBM. Listin Diario, the leading newspaper in the Dominican Republic asked to write an article as part of their campaign on positive living. The journalist came to the beautiful hotel where I was staying, Nicolas de Ovando, in the colonial part of Santo Domingo, actually situated on the oldest street in the New World. As we began to chat, sitting by the pool, a photographer clicked away, and other guests stared curiously. What was supposed to be a short chat last more than an hour with the journalist's eyes filling up with tears more than once. Why was the simple way I live my life and things I think about seem so miraculous to this woman? And then I have to remind myself that I do have an extra-ordinary situation with this disease and an extra-ordinary lifestyle with my fabulous career and world travels. She told me she complains every day and is never satisfied. To be honest I could not feel sorry for her. Rather my thought was, goodness if I had your good health what is there to complain about?
Being back in Haiti is good, really good. Work is exciting. Everyday I feel inspired. and this goes to show that when you have people around you who believe in you, the sky really is the limit! In UNICEF language we call that 'inclusion', something not to be underestimated.
As I meet new friends I find myself having to explain constantly 'what's wrong' with my legs. A colleague asked mejust today if HIBM is a condition or a disease. And then he wanted to clarify that I am indeed sick. At first I think I was concerned with such a clarification. But it passed quickly. Another new learning step in this life-altering adventure.
Keeping true to my 2012 New Year's resolution I am traveling to NEW countries. 2012 began with the Dominican Republic and in two weeks, for the first time ever, I will travel to Qatar to attend the 5th Shafallah Forum on Disabilities and Emergencies and give a presentation on the situation of children with disabilities in Haiti. Who would have thought that with something so awful (meaning HIBM) so many sensational opportunities would come to my life?!!!!!
Being back in Haiti is good, really good. Work is exciting. Everyday I feel inspired. and this goes to show that when you have people around you who believe in you, the sky really is the limit! In UNICEF language we call that 'inclusion', something not to be underestimated.
As I meet new friends I find myself having to explain constantly 'what's wrong' with my legs. A colleague asked mejust today if HIBM is a condition or a disease. And then he wanted to clarify that I am indeed sick. At first I think I was concerned with such a clarification. But it passed quickly. Another new learning step in this life-altering adventure.
Keeping true to my 2012 New Year's resolution I am traveling to NEW countries. 2012 began with the Dominican Republic and in two weeks, for the first time ever, I will travel to Qatar to attend the 5th Shafallah Forum on Disabilities and Emergencies and give a presentation on the situation of children with disabilities in Haiti. Who would have thought that with something so awful (meaning HIBM) so many sensational opportunities would come to my life?!!!!!
Hiiii....I´m dominican and I read your story thru Listin Diario (newspaper), my english is not as good as your english, so...I just wanna say that God has beautiful plans with you, our Lord is amazing!...if you come back to Santo Domingo, you have an invitation to my christian church....by the way? do you speak spanish?...well, see you, God bless you !!!.....Gilda/gi2006@hotmail.com
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