Today, I
also heard back from a fellow volunteer that I have had the honor to work with
in 2011 and 2012 in the Philippines. I
can’t wait to see my ‘old’ friend next week as we journey to India. And, yes, Dave, this is exactly the kind of
stuff I am looking for to share with our readers. I hope more will follow your lead and send me
some content to publish. Thank you so
very much!!
Here is what Dave wrote to me:
“Dear Cheryl,
Thank you for taking the time to do all
this. Here is some information and
photos you might want to include in your blog.
This
surgical mission to India will be my 28th mission and the 6th trip to
India. Why do I do it? It's in my blood. There are many reasons, however, in that once
you go on a mission to the 3rd world, you gain so much more in return. First of all, these poor people, and I do not
mean in the sense of lack of money, but poor in the difficult life they live
with very little in the way of comforts we take for granted and lack of
available medical care. They are so
appreciative of what we are able to do for them
and that makes our efforts so much more worth
while. Another good reason for going on
missions is that it opens up the true cultures of these foreign countries in a
way that one can never obtain on an organized tour of a foreign country. When you take care of the sick, one gets to
know more about what life is really like in the 3rd world and makes us
appreciate so much more what we have in these United States of America. Other
reasons are the chance to travel to places we would most likely never see for
any other reason, much like my many other travels to wilderness countries in
search for the fascinating birds and wild life that exists in every continent,
including Antarctica.
As
part of my bio, I am a plastic surgeon, having practiced in Harrisburg for over
34 years. In addition to cosmetic and
reconstructive surgery, my main interests are in cleft lip and cleft palate
repair and ear reconstruction for those born without ears or those lost to
trauma.
My
hobbies and interests are in all forms of art including wood sculpture, water
color painting, pastel drawings and medical illustrations that have appeared in
many text books of surgery. I enjoy playing
tennis all year round, bird watching with over 3,400 species on my life list,
stamp collecting, photography and spending time with my grandson, Ethan and
other members of my family.
Cheryl, I hope this is the kind of stuff you
might be looking for. Look forward to
being with you and Ken in India next week.
Dave
David C. Leber, MD, FACS
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