Opinion
- Details
- Written by: Dr. Paula Dhanda
Nothing says thank you like the smiles of the patients and the families who we helped. One man said “Dr. Paula, I have nothing to give you for what you have done for my wife. All I can do is thank God for sending you here.” His smile and gratitude was more than enough thanks for me.
We did three or four major surgeries a day and saw 15 to 20 patients in consultation. The hospital announced that there would be a gynecologist coming and women came from the surrounding areas to be seen. Many of them walked all the way and waited outside all day in the heat to be seen. There were language barriers to overcome but their gratitude needed no translation. One woman who had recurrent miscarriages said that she knew that her current pregnancy would be OK because I had put my hands on her. As a physician, surgeon and scientist I could only hope for the best.
The whole team worked very hard. Peggy Landini our occupational therapist did amazing work. She got a burn victim walking after 12 years of ambulating on her knees. Surgeons had released her leg contractures but without Peggy’s help she was unable to walk.
Carol Broughton and Shan Dhanda worked tirelessly assisting in surgery, helping on the ward, and reorganizing and cleaning the rat infested hospital pharmacy. In the midst of all this we handed out clothing, stuffed animals and puzzles to the children. Even the nurses had fun doing the children’s puzzle as many had never seen one.
I know we accomplished a lot of good in our short time but it was not enough. After performing a lifesaving surgery I would walk out to the floor or emergency ward to see a child dying of a disease that is normally considered preventable and feel inadequate. The children are often malnourished and brought in too late for us to help. What more can we do to help these people?
Thank you again to all the generous people who donated to this mission. Your support is so essential and appreciated. We have so much compared to these people who often go without food, shelter or medical care. By the way, we all lost about10 pounds in 2 weeks living on the diet of our host in Béré.
Paula R. Dhanda, MD lives in Kelseyville.
- Details
- Written by: Kevin Keeley
Congratulations to the raffle winners: Lyle LaFaver, Margo Walters, June Hughes, Linda Kelly, Pamela Held, Rebecca Dierssen, Diane Henderson and Bob Henig.
In particular, we wished to thank the following people, businesses and organizations who helped out with the raffle by donating prizes: Shannon Ridge Vineyards; Lake County Wine Studio; Lake County Winery Association; Lake County Winegrape Growers Commission; Lake County Public Services; Pete McGee; Herb Gura; Brad Barnwell; General Store at Clear Lake State Park; AirKayaks; Six Sigma; Ceago; Hidden Oaks Estates; Rosa de Oro; Gregory Graham; Tulip Hill; Moore Family Winery; Shed Horn Cellars; Brassfield Estates; Duisinberre; Wildhurst; Guenoc; Ployez; and Langtry.
Many thanks to all those who bought tickets or helped out with raffle sales, it was greatly appreciated. For more information on the Mt. Konocti Acquisition, visit www.PreserveKonocti.org.
Kevin Keeley is with the Konocti Project Inc.
- Details
- Written by: Sandra West and Susan Harmon
On behalf of the executive and community board members of Mt. Konocti Facilitation, we wish to thank Maryann and Peter Schmid, The Lodge At Blue Lakes and The Special Events Center at The Lodge At Blue Lakes, for their generous tax deductible donation of $500.
Paying it forward, as you have done through your contribution, is one of our goals, as your success is our success.
Together we share the passion of our community in developing a strong and sustainable local economy, one that we can all be as proud of as we are of the hospitality at The Lodge At Blue Lakes and The Speical Events Center at The Lodge At Blue Lakes.
Sandra West and Susan Harmon are the facilitators for Mt. Konocti Facilitation, which offers free and confidential guidance for businesses. Mt. Konocti Facilitation may be contacted at 707-995-8133; all calls are returned within 24 hours. Visit Mt. Konocti Facilitation online at www.mtkonocti.com,
- Details
- Written by: Jacqueline Armstrong
I wanted to comment on the accident at Lakeview and Sayre in Nice (“Bicyclist hurt in collision alleged to have been drunk,” Lake County News, April 28).
Most of my neighbors and I don't think that the bicyclist's intoxication was as much at fault as other safety factors at that intersection.
People in cars and kids on bikes cut that corner all the time. There are no line delineating lanes.
The corner has so much heavy vegetation that nobody traveling in either direction on Lakeview can see oncoming traffic until they're in the intersection. The only sign to yield is on Sayre.
I've contacted the county Department of Public Works and they're going to take a look at it.
In the meantime, it just seems like an oversimplication to blame the bicyclist's impaired condition when kids on bikes and many other drivers are just as careless.
I think it was really only a matter of time until someone got hit. Too bad it wasn't two cars instead of a truck and a bike.
Jacqueline Armstrong lives in Nice.
How to resolve AdBlock issue?