What is your "Why"?

 It has become an icebreaker question in many conference rooms... what is your "why"? Why do you do what you do? What drives you to do your job? Obviously here it isn't money, but still, I get the "Why?" questions. Why leave your family for 9 weeks? Why travel for over 20 hours to Africa? Why physical therapy? 

Like so many things in life, a picture is better than words. 

Before... She struggled to go to school because she couldn't walk that far

After: Now walking to school and dreaming of careers

Before: Miss F was laughed at.

After: Going to school. Check out that SMILE compared to before. 

I can't even handle how proud she looks. 

Before: Mr. U had not put his foot on the ground in years due to a contracture of his knee and was unable to work. 

After: Walking down the street and no one can tell. Employable and his future ahead of him. He dreams of being a surgeon. I made copies of science textbooks so he could start studying!

Before: Mr J struggled to walk long distances.

J worked very hard in rehab to complete his exercises

After: He has straight legs and can walk wherever he wants!

Before: My little dude! Mr. S had knock knees and would need to be carried if he went out with him family. 

After: Proud of all he has accomplished and ready to walk everywhere himself!

Before: Miss H was laughed at if she left her house. 

After: Straight legs. New Beginnings. 

Before: Miss M. She has these piercing eyes. Her legs were "windswept" and her sweet mom carried her everywhere. 

Taking off Miss M's casts. Ready to see those straight legs!

After: Here she is... all sassy and ready to take on the world. No need to be carried now!

So, what is my "why"? Why am I away from my husband and kids? These kids. The ability to change the course of lives. We have 59 kids signed up for orthopedic surgery here in Ghana and each one will be able to live their life in a new way post-surgery and rehab. I can be a part of their story. Sure, doing physical therapy in California helps people, but this lifelong change is filling my heart in huge new ways. I really didn't feel like I had much to give when I first arrived on this ship, and now I see all the skills I have to give, and it feels selfish not to. 

These weeks will fly by (They already are! I'm already 2 weeks in Ghana!) and I plan to use every day to the best of my ability. 

Questions? Comments? I love getting texts from home.