Santa Monica, California, dentist Darrell Craig had no idea what to expect when he arrived in Haiti. “It was disaster beyond belief,” he said.
Assigned to General Hospital, he and Scientology Volunteer Minister Ayal Lindeman, who is also an EMT and LPN, tackled the night shift of the Critical Care Unit with “no supplies, very unsanitary conditions, too many patients and very little time.”
With two to four hours of sleep a day in the first week, they cleaned up the wards, searched for and located vitally needed supplies, and improvised tools to perform life-saving procedures, often in the dark because of power failures.
While in Haiti, Dr. Craig also examined the teeth of children at a local orphanage, and set up rudimentary medical clinics at a refugee camp and a nearby island, where he and two doctors treated wounds and the doctors did physical exams.
“I cried many times while I was there, but I feel I was able to contribute to the welfare of these people, even though far below what I would like to do and what they need,” said Dr. Craig. “I would do it all again in a minute. The Haitians are fabulous and resilient people and they will overcome this. And I will be ever grateful to have been a part of this phase of the rebuilding of their country.”
Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe.~~