By Harold Prévil, M.D. and Sister Ann Crawley, CSJP
Dr. Prévil: As long as we are diving deeply into modern medicine, we are progressively widening the gap between us, as healthcare providers, and the patients. We very often see the disease, not the patient; if we see the patient at all.
By getting drowned into that routine, most of the times we fail to use the one best, if not the best drug ever developed: Love.
At Hôpital Sacré Coeur, we have used that powerful drug to treat one of our special patients: Jamesly Joseph. This child is special by the fact that he is a prototype of how cruel the world can be. This abandoned child has chronic tuberculosis of his spine that left him with a very severe deformity.
He was abandoned to us a year ago by his stepmother, who lives in Port-au-Prince, and his father who legally migrated to the United States. Since then, Jamesly has been adopted by all the angels who have been gravitating around our hospital.
I’ll let one of those so called “Angels” tell you Jamely’s history and share with you her story of what a powerful drug love can be.
That So Called “angel” is Sister Ann Crawley, one of our long term missionaries who, after the post-earthquake volunteering era abated, decided to spend a good part of her time taking care of this child.
Sister Ann, can you tell us more about Jamesly’s journey from Port-Au-Prince to Hôpital Sacré Coeur?
Sister Ann: Jamesly was brought to the hospital by helicopter about eight days after the earthquake and was admitted to the pediatric unit. He was seriously ill upon admission and the doctors gave little hope for his survival.
The little fellow was miserable in himself, and suffering the pain of a chronic condition of his spine known as Pott’s disease. This disease, related to tuberculosis, had not been treated properly, leaving Jamesly with severe deformity of his spine. He was also severely malnourished and weighed about six kilograms.
Doctors and nurses did their best to comfort, console and heal Jamesly. Many local people took a great interest in his welfare. I did my best to visit him a few times every day which was difficult because we were so very busy with our many patients from the earthquake.
In the early days when I visited Jamesly he used to “woof’’ at me to go away but, with time, he whimpered and cried as I left. I used to carry him outside to let him feel the sun and air on his frail body and give him candy! He got to like these visits and gradually showed interest in life around him and in toys, especially little cars.
I did not want him to get too attached to me so I prayed to St. Joseph to send someone to help care for Jamesly. A young boy of about sixteen years turned up on that day and has cared for Jamesly ever since. This young boy, named Davidson, came of his own accord and did all the caring voluntarily. He is a wonderful young man and took great care of Jamesly.
Davidson came every morning to wash, feed and give Jamesly his medication before going to school. Davidson returned in the evening after school to do Jamesly’s laundry. Is this not real devotion? I call him Joseph as it certainly was St. Joseph who sent him along.
I have come across many such “Davidsons” since I have been in Haiti. People came to the hospital every morning to care for the sick and the suffering, even sharing the little food they have with them. These people fill me with Hope. Jamesly is a happy little child today, chuckling with laughter and is loved by everyone. Our many volunteers too played a vital part in restoring life to Jamesly and many are still in touch sending him clothes and toys. They mother him with love and he thrives on it.
On 17th December, and with a heavy heart, I took my lovely Jamesly to an orphanage in Cap Haitian. He slept in my arms all the way as he was exhausted from all the “Good byes” and hugs from his many friends at Hôpital Sacré Coeur.
In the picture, you will see Jamesly with a little orphan girl of three years. She was the first child he met when he arrived there. He went straight to her and gave her a hug and then handed her his treasured soft toy. Then looking around he pointed to a small statue of Jesus up high on the wall and looking at me said, “Jesu.”
That was one of those special moments and no doubt that little statue will be a great source of comfort to Jamesly. When I took him on a walk every day to visit the cat and the dog at our compound he would never pass the little chapel without wanting to pay a visit and say “Papa nou” which is the “Our Father” in Creole.
Two weeks later, when I visited Jamesly, I found him enjoying a great game of football with his friends. I was delighted to see he was happy and content with his new family. Since then, Jamesly has been back to the hospital for a check up and was given a “Royal Welcome” by his many friends.
Dr. Prévil: No more comments. Thank you Sister for sharing that story with us.
