Day 4
Today, we want to give recognition to one person on the Askenasy team. This is Isaiah Figueroa first time helping out down in Guatemala and he is doing amazing work. He is here as a physical therapist assistant. His job helps people who have experienced a traumatic injury or pain from old age. Many people in Guatemala get into motorcycle accidents, and have jobs that require extensive manual labor. This can cause pain and make everyday activities hard, or even impossible to do. The physical therapy team in the mobility clinic, as they do life-changing work, because it gives the patient a better quality of life. It can also ease the anxiety of the family members who are taking care of them.
Isaiah says that his main reason for being down here in Guatemala is to help the people who are hindered by their pain, and to get a new chance at life. Many of the patients have had chronic pain for so long that they forget what life is like without it. After seeing a physical therapist assistant like Isaiah, they show immediate relief. The patients here have incredible gratitude for the physical therapy team here and what they do for them. Isaiah thinks that there is a huge difference in gratitude in Guatemala compared to the States. As Isaiah reflects on this mission trip, he has this one sentiment: to be more appreciative of the little things that we take for granted.
In the ward, one woman, in particular, had a gallbladder filled with gallstones. The pain first began eight years ago so she went to the doctor and was prescribed pain medication. She eventually was no longer able to afford them so she had to deal with the chronic pain on her own. Eventually, she was no longer able to work because the pain was too much for her to endure. She teared up as she spoke about the financial pressure as a result of the gallstones.
Additionally she was afraid to seek help, because she had a fear of undergoing surgery. When speaking to her post-surgery, she showed immense gratitude toward the team and wanted to thank God for the Askenasy team. Patients like her remind the team to appreciate everything in life.
Seth Askensy Photographer and Blogger
