Being born in any of the underdeveloped countries of the world is so much of a burden to carry, but much worse is if you were unfortunate enough to be born with a congenital disease. As far back as I can remember, I was always being carried from health center to health center looking for a blood type that matched mine. What charge was I guilty of? I was diagnosed with sickle cell disease. Even more unfortunate, my blood type is A-negative; one of the rarer blood types there are (as I have been told).
Meet little Mialy, Mia, and their father…known simply as Baba. They—along with 15 other siblings—made up my host family during a time spent in the arid region of southern Madagascar, where I was doing research on the Antandroy communities.
I often think back to this family with bittersweet fondness. When I was there, I was profoundly inspired by their love for life and their appreciation of the simple joys it brings…while endlessly cheered by their wide grins and generous laughter.
But now, when I glance at this photo, their visage seems to reveal a truth much deeper…and my heart aches a little.
Nevertheless, the sound of their laughter will remain with me forever, and I am thankful to have met them…and grateful for the lessons they taught me in treasuring the simple moments in life.
Through my time spent abroad during the holiday seasons, I noticed something: That despite our dissimilar lives, cultures, appearances, beliefs…
one thing never changes:
Once upon a time in a land far away (ie., Taiwan), there existed a smallish girl named Phoebe…
…who, in the 1980’s, was born into a family…complete with a mom, a dad, and a pet gibbon.
From an early age, Phoebe adored animals, therefore, when she grew up and went to university, she decided to become a purple kangaroo for the patients at the children’s hospital.
Phoebe soon realized something: she loved to help people. Eventually, this realization led her to start traveling the world, for long periods of time, to do volunteer work.
Of all the places, Phoebe worked in Africathe longest…namely, in the lands of West Africa and Madagascar.
On the island of Madagascar, Phoebe was known for befriending a lonely stray lemur named Buddy…
…with whom she would share her cactus fruit every morning.
There, she lived in a small villagewith a sweet family of 20 vibrant sisters…all of whom liked to dance.
On the other side of the continent, in the land of Ghana, she also lived with a lovely family, but in lieu of a lemur, she had a goat friend (who, tragically, eventually got eaten…).
After all that, Phoebe returned to the U.S. and became a doctor, because more than anything…she still wanted to help people.
Now, during her journey through medical school, her peers started to call her ‘Puppy,’ primarily, they claimed, because of her “loyal, affectionate, and loving nature.”
Gradually, the name ‘Puppy’ evolved until, finally, one day…
Founded in 2014 by Dr. Phoebe Chi, Health + Inspiration is a health information and literary arts website designed to inspire, empower, and inform through a curated mix of essential health information, uplifting stories, and original poetry.
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