By Evelyne Bevacqua

A Volunteer's Perspective:
Thank you ANGEL NOTION and Lavonna! The opportunity to volunteer for your association is a real privilege.

Monday morning:

Dr. Peter Lapine –Jefe MSU, Nancy Nelson, Audiologist and Yours Truly boarded the Ferry to Cozumel and went to their center. As soon as Nancy plugged in her machines, and checked that everything was functioning properly, the patients came in, and it was an incessant ballet throughout the afternoon......

Nothing is nicer, than seeing a relieved smile on the face of an elderly woman whose burdened look relaxes as Nancy adjusts the sound of her hearing aid. Nothing is nicer than the smile of a child when Nancy tells him that he is doing well.Nothing beats the exact moment of understanding, between the Audiologist and her patient, even though they do not speak the same language.

Wednesday:

The clinic in "Nichte Ha" is a bee hive, where like good choreography; all is made to be as efficient as possible. I am sent to the “Santa Fe” clinic, in Ejido, where the doctors and nurses are well underway with operating on a slew of patients.  Gillian & Bernard, the best volunteers of the year, are actively assisting and translating. How great these two are!

I join my favorite nurses, Barbie & Kristin, at recovery, and am privileged to assist on the operation of Jesus, an 8 year old boy that Nancy and I met in Cozumel. It is nice to see a familiar face when you lay on a stretcher!

In the OR, it is very hectic. If the equipment and conditions are not what the surgeons are used to, they adapt to whatever they have to. John (Dr. Everett -Anesthesiology) tells me how he is going to proceed, and I can comfort Jesus and keep him relaxed until he is under, then Dr. Cookie (Dr. Duane Smith) shows his virtuosity on this patient. While Jesus recovers under Barbie's supervision, it is time to reassure his Mom.

The waiting room is full of parents and children, but here, no sign of edginess! Everyone is thankful for ANGEL NOTION, for making these operations possible and bringing much hope and help into their lives. There are lots of warm smiles, lots of comforting nods, and encouraging looks. Words are mostly unnecessary. It is all purely magical and it feels simply wonderful. This is what it feels like, to be a Volunteer at Angel Notion.

 Thank You Angel Notion, Thank You Lavonna and Donna!

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