Thank you to our supporters, friends and volunteers. With your generosity we were able to change the lives of 30 people in Quito, Ecuador. The overwhelming trust and gratitude of the patients was humbling. Operation Walk Maryland provided a hope that these people never expected.
On morning rounds, I saw a 37 year old woman, who had both knees replaced the day before, with tears in her eyes crying and saying, ” I am walking, I am walking.” She was extremely nervous prior to her surgery and all her anxiety turned to motivation to be home with her young daughter.
The amount of suffering these patients lived with before our arrival is telling. A man in his 50s who worked in the fields with a machete had end stage crippling arthritis. Yet, every day he worked 12 hours to provide for his family. He and his wife left with tears as they said goodbye to the team, and he left pain-free.
A special thanks to all of our talented and dedicated staff that traveled to Quito.