Yerlis Maria, 9 years old Santa Marta, Colombia, 2010
For Healing the Children Northeast
Waiting in line Santa Marta, Colombia, 2010
For Healing the Children Northeast
Wristbands Santa Marta, Colombia, 2010
For Healing the Children Northeast
Feeding Santa Marta, Colombia, 2007
For Healing the Children Northeast
Soccer in the halls Santa Marta, Colombia, 2007
For Healing the Children Northeast
Iago before surgery Aquiraz, Brazil, 2008
For Healing the Children Northeast
Debbie Fritz, RN prepares Kettlen for surgery Aquiraz, Brazil, 2008
“These missions have made me realize how very fortunate I am and helped me appreciate even the simplest things in life that we all tend to take for granted. With each mission that I do I seem to develop more feelings of peace and contentment within myself and within my daily life. I feel a sense of personal accomplishment and I hope that I may have inspired at least one person to do something good and positive towards one other being.†-Debbie Fritz, RN
For Healing the Children Northeast
Ann Bennett-Collazuol, RN gives sips of water to Raysa after surgery Aquiraz, Brazil, 2008
“To be a part of something like this is like a miracle. And to see these talented doctors, the work they do –- it’s so pure, there’s no bureaucracy. It’s what you became a doctor or nurse for. Sometimes I feel I’m not doing enough here, but I’m more content because of this experience — it’s opened a door. They talk about how global the world is, all one. I never felt it as much as through this. It wasn’t them and us — it was we.†-Ann Bennett-Collazuol, RN, Nyack, NY
For Healing the Children Northeast
Abuela watches over Santa Marta, Colombia, 2007
“Most of the time, a parent would see his or her child for the first time after surgery in the recovery room. We couldn’t help but shed tears with them – tears of joy, for seeing the almost magical transformation.†-Elaine Suderio-Tirone, RN,Vassar Brothers Medical Center
For Healing the Children Northeast
Kettlen in bed Aquiraz, Brazil, 2008
For Healing the Children Northeast
Screening day Santa Marta, Colombia, 2007
For Healing the Children Northeast
Elaine Suderio-Tirone, RN comforts a patient in the recovery room Santa Marta, Colombia, 2007
“I was holding a little girl right after surgery. She lay in my arms completely calm and trusting. I was a total stranger to her but she did not cry and had not showed signs of fear. I wondered if they are just raised tough and strong. Her mother came crying, tears of joy I was sure, holding the cross of the rosary she was wearing around her neck. She hugged me saying "gracias, gracias". She touched the cross again mumbling some prayers. Then she kept saying to her child 'bonita,bonita'. I looked at her with tears in my eyes silently telling myself: 'this is why I am here’.†-Elaine Suderio-Tirone, RN, Vassar Brothers Medical Center
For Healing the Children Northeast
Dr. Arthur Menken between surgeries Santa Marta, Colombia, 2007
“The mission didn't change my outlook on life but emphasized even more what I've always believed -- complain about this country all you will and often with good reason. But we are very fortunate to live in the USA, and we must take any opportunity to bring some of this good fortune to less fortunate people elsewhere.†-Arthur W. Menken, MD, Poughkeepsie, NY
For Healing the Children Northeast
Evelyn on screening day Aquiraz, Brazil, 2008
A young mother named Luzirene sat in the waiting room with her 5-year old daughter Evelyn, whose scars were noticeable from a previous cleft lip surgery. When Evelyn was born, Luzirene had been scared of her daughter’s facial deformity. At the time, she did not know that help was coming and that the fairly straightforward procedures would allow Evelyn to lead a normal life. After having her lip repaired at age 2, Evelyn was put on a waiting list for another 2 years to get an operation for her cleft palate. When Dr. Abraham’s team arrived in Brazil, Luzirene’s prayers were answered. Evelyn’s cleft palate surgery was a success and back at home, the toys that she received from the American team were put on display like a shrine.
For Healing the Children Northeast
Evelyn and Luzirene walk into the operating room followed by Robin Birchenough, CRNA Aquiraz, Brazil, 2008
For Healing the Children Northeast
Evelyn being screened by Dr. Manoj Abraham and Dr. Alex Ovchinsky Aquiraz, Brazil, 2008
For Healing the Children Northeast
Evelyn and her mother Luzirene before surgery Aquiraz, Brazil, 2008
For Healing the Children Northeast
Evelyn wakes up in the recovery room (from l-r: Mary Hayden, RN, Tamara Faublas, RN, Olivia Birchenough, Dr. David Fenner, Dr. Kavita Aggarwal, Elaine Suderio-Tirone, RN)
Aquiraz, Brazil, 2008
“I am so very grateful for the opportunity to work in the company of truly wonderful humanitarians -- brilliant, hardworking, focused, and undaunted. Always with our one goal clearly in sight: the children. The children one after another, we cared for them as if they were our own.â€
-Leonora Gerspach, RN, Vassar Brothers Medical Center
For Healing the Children Northeast
The operation (from l-r: Dr. Manoj Abraham, Dr. Alex Ovchinsky and Dr. Joshua Bedwell) Aquiraz, Brazil, 2008
For Healing the Children Northeast
Evelyn and Luzirene at home one day after cleft palate surgery Aquiraz, Brazil, 2008
For Healing the Children Northeast
Evelyn receives a visit from a friend Aquiraz, Brazil, 2008
For Healing the Children Northeast
Evelyn relaxes at home Aquiraz, Brazil, 2008
For Healing the Children Northeast
Going home Aquiraz, Brazil, 2008
For Healing the Children Northeast
Carlos Jose with his father Santa Marta, Colombia, 2010
Carlos Jose, age six, is the youngest of four generations of men who were born with a cleft palate. Although he was unable to have surgery during the 2010 mission, he and his father worked with speech therapists Helen Buhler and Etoile LeBlanc to learn pronunciation exercises that he can practice until the next mission. Speech therapy is an important part of treatment for cleft palate patients, who are often unable to articulate certain sounds and speak with a hypernasal voice. Doing exercises before and after surgery leads to a better outcome in terms of speech and communication. Carlos’ father never had surgery and therefore continues to have problems with language and articulation. Carlos worries about getting surgery, because he doesn’t want to sound different than his father.
For Healing the Children Northeast
Danilo, 20 years old Santa Marta, Colombia, 2007
“Danilo is a high school student who has a severe cleft defect that has affected his speech. He is a very bright student, which has earned him high honors. However, his applications to local universities have been met with disdain--his speech impairment is viewed as a cognitive defect--admission deans see him as mentally slow and he is denied admission to every college in his town. Yet his ambition prevails. He vows that he will pursue his dream of higher education--and comes to us for surgical correction of his physically limiting cleft palate--to show the world that he will be able to speak normally, communicate effectively, and gain entrance into a premier university. Yesterday, on post-op rounds, the team is elated to see Danilo doing well and able to speak like he has never spoken before--he, his mother, and the surgeons exchange tears and hugs and hope for his future.â€
-Kavita Aggarwal, MD, Poughkeepsie, NY
For Healing the Children Northeast
Cristina, 5 years old Santa Marta, Colombia, 2010
For Healing the Children Northeast
Cesar Comilo with his mother Santa Marta, Colombia, 2007
Some families travel for days to see the doctors. The hospital in Colombia allows them to stay for the whole week while they wait for their surgeries, providing mattresses to sleep on and 3 meals per day.
For Healing the Children Northeast
Luis Gabriel with his father Santa Marta, Colombia, 2007
For Healing the Children Northeast
Carlos Mario Santa Marta, Colombia, 2007
For Healing the Children Northeast
Waiting outside hospital Aquiraz, Brazil, 2008
For Healing the Children Northeast
Anibal Jose with his father Santa Marta, Colombia, 2007
“Each family spent great time, effort, and monies to reach us. One particular child, Anibal Jose, and his family were so desperate to seek our medical services, that they walked over two hours from their remote village to the nearest town, then traveled 7 hours by bus, only to manage making it to the hospital a whole day after all of the prospective surgical candidates had already been selected. Not only did his story warm our hearts, but also his cleft defect was very significant, so we had to add him onto our OR schedule.†-Kavita Aggarwal, MD, Poughkeepsie, New York
For Healing the Children Northeast
Anibal Jose returns on screening day (Anibal Jose, his mother and Dr. Augustine Moscatello) Santa Marta, Colombia, 2010
For Healing the Children Northeast
Anibal Jose waits Santa Marta, Colombia, 2010
“In the end, this effort was all about the children. Words can not describe how wonderful it is to make a difference in these kids lives, to inspire hope that there are people in the world who care.â€
-Manoj T. Abraham, MD, Poughkeepsie, NY
For Healing the Children Northeast
Yailene before surgery Santa Marta, Colombia, 2007
For Healing the Children Northeast
Yailene returns Santa Marta, Colombia, 2010
For Healing the Children Northeast
Edwin with balloons Santa Marta, Colombia, 2007
“The most rewarding aspect of the mission is knowing that a life is changed forever for the better. Knowing that suffering is alleviated. Knowing that a child can smile again; a smile he/she was deprived of because of the defect. These realities make my heart bigger and lighter. They make me smile too.â€
-Elaine Suderio-Tirone, RN, Vassar Brothers Medical Center
For Healing the Children Northeast
Blowing bubbles with Chikela Cody Santa Marta, Colombia, 2010
For Healing the Children Northeast
Sleeping at the hospital Santa Marta, Colombia, 2010
For Healing the Children Northeast
Passing the time Santa Marta, Colombia, 2010
For Healing the Children Northeast
Toy soldiers Santa Marta, Colombia, 2010
For Healing the Children Northeast
Rondinelle in the hospital Aquiraz, Brazil, 2008
“What a growing process of life... Our own roles and culture may leave us stagnant, but to give of our own privileges, skills, and hearts will provide for the children and families, and the team too, a reward that I gracefully welcome.â€
-Tamara Faublas, RN, Vassar Brothers Medical Center
For Healing the Children Northeast
Dr. Kavita Aggarwal saying goodbye Santa Marta, Colombia, 2007
“The trip to Santa Marta showed me what life is really all about: Help and understand people. Love and care for people and live life to its full potential. Every little patient and case was a reason enough to be there and everybody had his or her special patient.â€
-Byron Fernandez, MD, Poughkeepsie Medical Group
For Healing the Children Northeast
Unaldo at home Santa Marta, Colombia, 2007
For Healing the Children Northeast
Unaldo with his mother Nancy Santa Marta, Colombia, 2010
For Healing the Children Northeast
ANNABEL CLARK Documentary Photographer Seattle & NYC
Annabel Clark is a documentary, editorial and portrait photographer based in Seattle and New York City.