I have volunteered on several crisis-focused medical missions, witnessing the effect and toll of mental distress.  A particular experience brought my heart back to helping people care more about their mental well-being. 

In 2002, I accompanied an ENT/cosmetic surgeon to remote areas in China where we performed corrective surgeries on babies and young adults born with cleft lip and palate birth deformities. Many families reported being shunned and ostracized by their communities due to the physical differences in their children or themselves. The extent of this prejudice also meant that individuals were excluded from receiving medical care; receiving basic education or participating in the greater community. 

I was struck by the families’ resilience and endurance while experiencing unjust behaviour and ridicule from their communities. I thought of the perseverance and enormous motivation to seek out medical attention at our outreach clinic. 

In 2005, with the Canadian Medical Association of Toronto (CMAT), I embarked on another medical mission to Pakistan for 21 days, shortly after a deadly earthquake. The trauma that affected these people was far beyond physical wounds, as they were traumatized by grief, death, the devastation of their homes, and the struggles ahead.

Collectively, these experiences provided me – with first-hand teaching moments. More significantly, each experience taught me the depth, breadth and range of social challenges. I believe each moment has led me to become a more able, empathetic, objective and compassionate professional.