A Glimpse of Haiti

Sometimes words can be insufficient; hence the term a picture paints a thousand words. In this case the picture is a television show. The picture seen here is a promotional shot from the NBC series "The Philanthropist". I saw this episode and was riveted to my chair. From what we experienced in Haiti, this was the most realistic drama of Haitian life I had seen. While the story was not a documentary, it was relatively accurate. The Kreyol they spoke fit with the story line and I recognized half of it, so it wasn't jibberish. All in all, I was very impressed.

The storyline is realistic, discouraging, painful and encouraging. I was encouraged to learn the show is based on a real person. Whoever he is, I send my kudos. Here is a man with means trying to make a difference. I don't know if this episode is based on true events as there is no disclaimer, but in any event the millions of viewers who saw this story is wonderful.

I can tell you from watching it, I felt all the emotions rush back from when I was in Haiti. The sorrow for a people who just want a opportunity to succeed on their own, but a people who need everyone's help to get started. Now hopefully more will recognize the need for aid.

The food riots were real. We were there. The shortage of rice was felt by everyone. We saw the amount people got fed.
The slavery is real. It is not uncommon for a Haitian child to be sold into slavery to another Haitian. This is one of the most distressing facets of their life. The Haitians are proud of shedding their chains of slavery, but some still resort to the brutal practice with their own people. Not to mention the Haitians who are abused in the sex trade. For a documentary on the plight of these children, watch the ABC News special on How to buy a child in 10 hours. Bill Nathan from the St. Joseph's Home for Boys was interviewed for the piece.

If you have any curiosity about our motivation to help Haiti, please watch either or both of these episodes. The image link along with a link at the end of this entry will take you to the online episode from NBC. The link in the paragraph above with take you to the ABC story. Then help us help those who are looking for a hand up, and not a hand out.

NBC's The Philanthropist -- Haiti

Simply Amazing

There are times when you just need to take a break from things. This last month has sort of been mine. I am adjusting to my new drug regime to manage my MS and the changes it brings. No pity party here. I am glad I can get up and still be working. Numbers of MS patients cannot.

During my mini respite I have just been taking photos, not processing them for the website. Taking a moment to reconnect with my artistic style and enjoy the world and people around me. As a result, I came across this show on the National Geographic Channel. I love this channel. Science can be fun. It is about the giant crystal caves in Niaca Mexico. (follow this link to see the story and times it is on the National Geographic Channel.) These crystals are enormous, and growing in a caustic environment to humans. You journey with the scientists as they discover the enormity of the caves, the breathtaking sites and lastly, how dangerous such beauty can be.

One of the last portions of the show which sticks out in my mind is how precarious the life of these crystals is. They said in the documentary as the crystal's climate changes they run the risk of not only a stoppage of growth, but potential destruction. The caves were filled with water, but the water is being pumped out daily to a lake. One of the functions of the lake is to help irrigate a nearby golf course. The crystals are softer than a human fingernail and the water not only added in their growth, but help protect their fragile nature.

Watching the story helped renew a sense of wonder in the world I had begun to lose. It is easy to get wrapped up in your own day to day lives and forget to stop and take in the amazing beauty around us. I am glad I have taken a chance to begin rediscovering my own wonder and amazement. As the story concluded, I chuckled to myself and then said out loud; "No wonder God rested on the seventh day, with all the work involved in just this one beautiful site and the planning went into it, I would be tired too."