Having had three weeks to process some of what I saw in Haiti, I realize that alongside the suffering and devastation that were everywhere, I also encountered some incredible examples of humanity at its finest.
I already have described in my previous post the unbelievable dedication of the Haitian medical staff, who remained at the side of their patients despite the personal losses (and not having been paid for 9 months). I'd like to tell the story of another person I met while there.
"Big Paul" Sebring is one of the co-founders of MMRC (Materials Management Relief Corps). He and "Little Paul" Waggoner established MMRC and quickly sprung into action after realizing that while lots of material, equipment and supplies had been donated to the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake, much of it was not getting to where it was needed. The Pauls immediately began assembling a database of personnel, materiel and facilities, and coordinating between them to ensure maximal delivery of care.
I met Big Paul for the first time the night we needed to transfer out a 9 year old boy who was pulled from the rubble of a house which had collapsed on top of him along with two others, trapping a total of 12 people (only he and his father were pulled out alive). After being brought to the State University Hospital, it became clear that he needed to be transferred to a neurosurgeon for further care. Big Paul made the connection with the hospital operated by MSF (Doctors without Borders) Spain, who had both a neurosurgeon and a bed available, and we were able to make the transfer. Big Paul was also the one who was able to sweet talk them into loaning us an oxygen tank, as the one in the ICU was going to run empty at 2 AM. Incredulous at this, he looked at me and said "Oxygen? You're sh*tting me?! What are they supposed to do at 2 AM? Sit around and watch people die?" As I said, he made it happen.
Like so many others I met in Haiti, Big Paul is someone who has transformed himself into a modern day superhero out of necessity born from a very strong sense of obligation and commitment to helping his fellow human, regardless of the difficulty. He seems to have all of Port au Prince on speed dial. His status there is legendary, and he solves dozens of problems a day and just makes things happen.
Big Paul has a blog, which I recommend anyone interested in following the unfolding of events in Haiti consider subscribing to. This is a link to one of his recent posts about the increasingly questionable role the United Nations is playing there (not for the fainthearted).
http://sebringphotography.wordpress.com/2010/05/26/crisis-evolvin...
