5 months later...

The Pool now
the pile of rubble decreases substantially today


Haitians who favor Argentina as their TEAM, celebrate a 1-0 victory over Nigeria. On this day I will celebrate the removal of rubble from our patio area. 1 day closer to the pool party. I have the feeling most Haitians don't know this is a 5 month anniversary day. Certainly its not really a day to celebrate because so very very much remains to be done.

Except today the Haitian son of my friends, Al and Deb will walking across the stage to receive his high school diploma in Minnesota. He was in a car accident and lost both of his legs. He walks across the stage because of his determination and because of Al, a prosthetist that made Patrick's legs. This is a celebration for Patrick, for Al and Deb, for Patrick's family in Haiti, for his Healing Hands for Haiti family and friends and for the many many many young people in Haiti that now share Patrick's disability of being an amputee. We can celebrate Patrick's success and bright future with the hope that all of these newly disabled people will have an equal opportunity for success. With the hope that the new Haiti will not see its people viewed differently but will offer everyone of them the opportunity to attend school, to be able to walk down newly built sidewalks on new prosthetic legs, to have an opportunity for employment.

5 months later there is a reason to celebrate....

Congratulations Patrick upon your graduation this day.