Moving Together…
What an honor to have the opportunity to serve with ATI Mission Works and Move Together, Inc earlier this year. As I reflect on what transpired during our time in Villa Nueva, Guatemala, I cannot help but smile from ear to ear. Never before have I witnessed a more collaborative effort to create a sustainable structure in the community. Young and old, locals and gringos, students and professionals, with means and without…people from all walks of life congregated to build this rehab clinic. The Mayor of Villa Nueva, Edwin Escobar, was very intentional about inviting the community to come and be a part of completing this project so that they might have ownership in contributing to the growth of their city. This act of togetherness was more powerful than I could have expected. Social labels and expectations were deconstructed as strangers become family, grabbing hammers, paint brushes, shovels, and ratchets to build something greater than themselves. Something that was purposed to serve anyone who would walk through the very doors we were assembling. As I reflect on this experience that I got to be a part of, I think of the incredible significance of how this clinic was built. How much more will our communities around the world grow and bridge gaps of inequalities when community members have a sense of ownership over establishments in their neighborhood? How much more might we consider one another in our daily lives if we take part in collaborative efforts to improve our surroundings and invite others to join us? There is no doubt that in the end this clinic (which was named after a young courageous boy who was a model of kindness and in the community and recently passed due to complications of muscular dystrophy) was built with love.
I could go on about the countless moments of patients who captured our hearts, stories that end with tears of joy, the quality care provided that some had never received before, the teamwork between local physical therapy students and the ATI Mission Works and Move Together members, and the memories of laughter, love and new relationships we all carry with us daily. But at the core of it all, the selflessness of collaboration to create and sustain this clinic in Villa Nueva has left the greatest impact on me. I hope to continue this kind of work and spirit of true community everywhere that I go. From my four clinic walls in Bothell, WA, to the streets of Capitol Hill, Seattle, and to various places in Guatemala and around the world.
I highly encourage anyone reading this to follow ATI Mission Works and Move Together in their efforts to help create better communities and access to care. But most importantly, to become more engaged in your own community and ways you can join those around you to make this world a better place.