Biblical Proportions

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It is the second day of work in Kaberamaido, Uganda. I am working with Dr. Bill and the other EMTs. We are stationed just outside the orphanage compound, and are serving the local village women.

I am kneeling next to an older patient, along with my translator, and asking her the standard questions. Name, Age, Chief Complaint, etc. I am also gathering a brief medical history having to do with TB, Malaria, and HIV/AIDs.

The patient in question appears to be a healthy one. It has been a refreshing surprise to Triage this woman, as there doesn't seem to be anything acutely wrong with her. She doesn't have any clinical signs of TB or pneumonia, and she isn't having a malaria attack. The only thing she is complaining of is vision loss, and given her age, it might just be due to getting older as opposed to some other medical cause.

I begin interviewing her on her vision loss. How long as it been going on, is it getting worse over time, is it all the time or just sometimes? She answers accordingly. I am writing down her answers when she begins speaking to the translator. The translator turns to me and says "She wants to know what she can do to improve her vision so that she can read the Bible again."

The pen in my hand freezes, and I am crushed with humility. I turn to her, speechless. Here is this woman, a woman who has walked for miles to see us, and the only thing she requests is the ability to read the Bible again. "I will do everything I can." I say.

Dr. Bill comes over and examines her. He wears reading glasses, and lets her try them on. Our translator pulls out a Bible from his back-pocket, apparently something he carries with him wherever he goes. Our patient breaks into a smile and begins reading quietly to herself. Dr. Bill asks if she can see, and she says yes. He vows to give her his glasses at the end of the day, when he's done working.

I make a note on her record so that we remember to find her at the end of the day.

I go home that night and read the Bible, and understand every single word.