Lend your Leg

Today is International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, and the idea is to wear pants with one leg rolled up in an act of " lending your leg" http://www.lendyourleg.org/.

A bunch of us at COPE got together and took a photo to support mine survivors and many of the patients we treat. It's amazing when you think about the kinds of things people in Laos have to worry about and deal with, which would never even occur to those of us living in the US.

As much as I feel guilt to be a useless emotion, it's hard not to feel guilty at what the US has done to so many innocent Laos people. It's heartbreaking to know that your country was the source of so much pain, death and suffering.

I'm thankful for the Laos spirit of acceptance and kindness toward foreigners. Although that may be that many Laos (especially those living rurally, who are most commonly injured) don't draw the connection between Americans and mine accidents. I must admit that walking through our COPE visitor's center brings me a great deal of shame. I've never felt more embarrassed to be an American (that's saying a lot after having George W. as president).

That said, we're working with what is and doing what we can to help and rectify past mistakes.