Psychiatric Mission, El Savador - Overview

While we were working in El Congo (last day) of our 2009 medical mission, I saw a woman, age 35, who needed psychiatric help. She was in tears for most of our interview. Her story unfolded like this: Her grandmother remarried a man who had a terrible impact on the family. He raped his wife's daughter, the mother of the woman who came to see me. The product of this act of violence was the woman in front of me. At the age of seven, this woman was also raped by the same man, her step grandfather. "He turned into a pig and was frightening like a pig." He was alcoholic. My client had a difficult childhood, obviously, and she married at a young age. She has three children now and continues to live with her husband who is disabled and can't work. He had an accident several years ago and became paraplegic for a while, then began to regain some use of his limbs. Then he was hit by a motorcycle and lost half of one foot. They are penniless and can't pay their bills. Sometimes the church gives them a little aid and they can buy some food. But life looks bleak to her and she wonders why so many ills have befallen her. Her friends come to her and unload their problems. She has a strong faith and attends church regularly.

All looks bleak and hopeless! Why is life so awful? How does one survive such tragedies and misfortunes?
What does one say to someone who has suffered so much and feels so hopeless?

I remember what one of my teachers said to me: "Claire, look for the light!" So this is what I do. Where there is darkness there is also light. The light and love in this woman's life can be found in several places: in her faith and in her ability to bring solace and comfort to others. She gets distracted by thinking about her misfortunes, but if she can be encouraged to experience her own power as a healer and her direct connection to the divine, she will do more than survive! So I directed her attention to the light she shines for others and praised her ability to help her friends in need. And encouraged her to continue her relationship with her church which brings her strength. When we discover and believe in our own power, our ability to love unconditionally, all the darkness can fade into the background and we can begin to have hope.

Shine on, friends!!

Love to all,
Claire


A grandmother & her four year old grandson were referred to psyche because of the grandmothers depressive symptoms(even though she did not have a card). Grandma brought her 4 year old grandson in because of malnutrition. Both Grandma & grandson were dehydrated, malnourished and depressed. Grandma had no means to support them other than picking cans & bottles. They were surviving on one raw tomato daily. In 30 years of practice I have never more clearly looked into the face of depression as with that child! We were able to get the support of the El Salvadoran social worker to get some support for the grandmother . She will be able to work in the community garden & earn three dollars a day, (barely enough to buy food) . That child whispered through his tears to me, "God Bless you."

Bambi