The times they are a changin'
A Hispanic lady in our church was recently hospitalized for a c-section. She and her husband had very limited skills in English, so one of our preachers (he is from Guatemala) accompanied the couple to the hospital.
About five years ago, this couple had given birth to a wonderful child with a severe birth defect. She passed almost one year prior to this delivery, and, since the defect was hereditary, we wanted to be as careful as possible.
The operation was scheduled for 2pm, so I went there after I left the clinic. I didn't know how the language barrier would be handled, so I was apprehensive. I didn't know if I could help, but I hoped that the preacher and I together might offer some language assistance if the need arose (I guess I thought standing next to a Spanish speaking person would improve my Spanish, but anyway..).
The nurses and the OB-GYN (a lady) came into the room with a stretcher. The doctor asked the lady if she understood English (I felt the blood rush to my head). The patient replied by shaking her head to indicate "no".
Then, it happened. The OB-GYN launched into the most fluent Spanish I have ever heard. She asked all the questions related to the delivery, took the answers, advised the patient of the procedures, then asked the patient if she had any questions.
Maybe that does not seem special to anyone else, but to quote Bob Dylan "the times they are a-changin'".
Oh, yes! It was a healthy baby Boy!
9 Answers
Great story, Dogwood. I needed to hear something good today.
Hee hee! And yet we're surprised by the opposite when we go abroad and Doctors don't speak English!
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story.
great story very powerful
Beautiful story, you will soon be able to do the same dogwood
Me gusta mucho esta historia, Dogwood. ¡Hasta Sábado!
Wonderful dogwood! I'm glad their baby is healthy!
Saludos.
That is awesome!
