Last night I met this young Iranian surgeon who had just come back from a trip to Afghanistan as part of a doctors without borders humanitarian visit. Talking to him not only made me hopeful about humans, but it definitely help change my views on Iranians, for better.
This gentleman who had recently become a dad had left his plush home in santa monica to go do volunteer surgery on victims of war for 2 weeks. During this time he had performed 16 mostly reconstructive surgeries; 9 on kids below the age of 15.
Although he was VERY reluctant to talk about his involvement in this sort of activities, I was able to extract more info from him. This was apparently his 4th visit to war torn countries in middle east and Africa. Not only he had risked losing his life and leaving his wife and kid without a husband/father, its safe to assume he was losing thousand of dollars worth of income for each week he was out of office. Believe me, in S. California money talks.
When I asked him if he had met other Iranians on his trips, he mentioned that he had seen Iranian nurses, pharmacists, doctors, surgeons on each of his 4 trips. He mentioned that a female Iranian nurse in Africa who had lost a leg due to an explosion of an underground mine during her first visit in 2002, was still working 14 hour days in a clinic to help pregnant women. You could see tears in his eyes as he was talking about this nameless nurse.
I really could not sleep at all last night. One part of me was so happy to have heard such stories about decent human beings who do this kind of work, silently, and without the need for any public recognition. The other part of me was so ashamed of the life I lead in LA.
Other than donating small sums of money here and there, I really have not done a damn thing I can take to grave with me. I am proud of my sons for being decent human beings, thanks mostly to my wife, but what else?!! God damn I am depressed.
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Faramarz
by Kaveh Nouraee on Tue Feb 03, 2009 03:19 PM PSTThanks for sharing this.
Unless you've hurt someone, there's no need to be ashamed. If your encounter with this doctor has inspired you in some way, use that energy to do something. This doctor has the means to be able to do this. We don't all live in similar affluence, so the best thing is to do what we can. So long as it's from the heart, no one can ask for more.
I know an Iranian woman who
by Anonymouss (not verified) on Sun Feb 01, 2009 11:04 PM PSTI know an Iranian woman who does what she can to help the world. Even if it is her small world!
She speaks pretty good English but is housebound due to major surgery.
She has about 4-5 people (one Iranian, one from central America and the rest American) also housebound, who she calls and keeps in touch with. Once a year they try to get together.
Once I was at her place when she called one of her "friends" and on speaker phone I joined in. The lady she was calling was so grateful to have a friend and caring person to communicate with.
She said she feels so much better since they have been in touch.
Today, the world is full of lonely people.
...and every little bit counts.
Big Hearts
by shirazie (not verified) on Sat Jan 31, 2009 12:56 PM PSTThey are numerous Iranian Doctors who have go back to rural areas of world - Included Iran and hold clinics.
we may be an emotional nation but we are genuinely generous (not phony Generous - i.e Angalos in USA).
D.C. Homeless white women interviewed on TV said only "foreigners" gave her money.
I encourage everyone to reach in their pocket and help the homeless with a few dollars. That may be not close to what this Doctors does, but does help humanity.
a heartwarming story
by anonymous fish on Fri Jan 30, 2009 02:38 PM PSTthat all iranians should be proud of... and not just iranians but all who give so unselfishly.
God bless them!
doctors without borders
by Niloufar Parsi on Fri Jan 30, 2009 02:22 PM PSTare just fantastic. thanks for sharing this story. why be depressed? you have the rest of your life ahead of you, and there is always the possibility to get involved. age has nothing to do with it. most volunteer organisations welcome more mature people and retirees especially because of their experience and genuine commitment without the need for great financial reward. they are the true volunteers. the image of volunteerism (like the peace corps) being for college graduates is misleading. those graduates are more like trainees than anything else. older volunteers are much more useful in fact (speaking from my own experience in this work). and the range of skills needed in international volunteerism is huge, from agriculture to business skills to marketing, general administration and management. you can even help them from your home by helping with fundraising. sorry for going on like this, but you sound like the right type for it :)
There is always light
by Zion on Fri Jan 30, 2009 01:43 PM PSTYou should be proud of them. These people are beacons of light. Bless them all. I hope we get to hear more of Iranians like them.
Framarz
by Maryam Hojjat on Fri Jan 30, 2009 01:14 PM PSTThanks for sharing this real story with us. I am so proud of those Iranians who endanger their lives for others. I feel also sad for myself not having done enough to make a difference in the lives of others.
Cheers, there are plenty of opportunities to contribute to the lives of unfortunates, we just must be ready for it.
Faramarz
by javaneh29 on Fri Jan 30, 2009 11:44 AM PSTI too met a dr here in the UK who does exactly the same thing and we had a chat about what his work entailed generally. I was hugely impressed by his humaniity and even more so when he told me several local dr's go at least a month once a year. However it was really saddneing to learn that they are not given time away from their posts but use their annual leave.
Its heartening to know that people do care enough to make those sorts of gestures and sacrifices Iranian or otherwise.
And Im sure that if you are proud of your family they must be something to be proud of .... you had a part in that.
Javaneh