As many of you know, one of my sons died by suicide a few months ago. Coping with the aftermath of his loss has been an incredibly challenging and painful journey, that has often required time, patience, and support. In the wake of such a devastating loss, it's been essential to acknowledge and work through a myriad of emotions that I’ve felt. Grief, guilt, confusion, and anger can be overwhelming, creating a complex emotional landscape that needs careful navigation.
Initially, the shock and disbelief dominated my feelings, making it difficult to comprehend the reality of him no longer being here. I’m not quite sure there is a loss that hits on the same level as losing one’s child. As time progresses, my emotions often give way to profound sadness and a sense of loss that feels insurmountable. And, though I don’t personally feel it, the guilt that some of his siblings and friends feel can be particularly debilitating, as questions of "what if" and "why" haunt their minds.
Working through these emotions has involved a combination of self-reflection, professional support, and connecting with others who have experienced similar tragedies. A new friend who also lost his daughter put it so fittingly. He said, “we are part of a very exclusive club that no one wants to belong to.” No truer words have ever been stated. At times I must allow myself the space to mourn and acknowledge my pain. If I find myself getting stuck, I will seek therapy or counseling that can provide a safe and confidential environment to explore my emotions, so I can get guidance on coping mechanisms and strategies for healing.
Moreover, connecting with my support network has been more important than ever – friends and family have alleviated the isolation that often accompanies my grief. Talking with other parents and who have lost a loved one from suicide has also been of great value. Sharing my experiences and emotions with those who understand the unique challenges of losing a loved one to suicide has fostered a sense of community and understanding.
While my journey towards healing is neither linear nor easy, I know that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Through time, self-compassion, and support, I know I will gradually work through all my emotions and find a path towards acceptance and resilience in the face of this devastating loss.
Linda Caruso - Condolences to Linda and her family on the recent loss of her father, William Albert Mayer. Amongst Linda's memories of her father, she recalled that he loved sharing his ideas about a better world, education, politics, criminal reform, nothing was impossible, just not yet done. His medical expertise led to a heart catheter that saved millions of lives. He wrote proposals for the revision of Medicare and health care for all to President Bill Clinton; pitched a collaboration for sharing the Russian Space Station to President Gorbachev; developed a program for sharing medical technology with Russia during the cold war; and negotiated a program with Cuba to provide much needed hospital equipment during the crisis. Later in life he was honored with a scholarship in his name at the University of Sophia in Bulgaria for his work supporting the development and application of research that contributed to businesses in agriculture, bioremediation, and nutraceuticals. His travels brought him through six continents and he lived in six countries. Many agree that he was indeed a great man.
Linda shares "Here is to keeping stories alive in our hearts and our families, here is to remembering that we can always be better and that we are all responsible, here is to strength and the will to live no matter what life throws our way."
Robert Stein and Jake Stein enjoyed a successful pheasant hunting trip in Sublette, Kansas together.
Dick Robie - Wishing you a speedy recovery following knee surgery and wife, Barbara, is taking excellent care of both Dick and their dog who also had surgery.
Leenette Wilke, Ruben Santos, and Glenda Guzman attended SCRYE (South Central Rotary Youth Exchange) in Tulsa, Oklahoma on January 26 & 27. The South Central Rotary Youth Exchange (SCRYE) was created to promote and facilitate Rotary International Youth Exchange for our member districts. SCRYE provides information, education, collaboration and the independence to facilitate the Youth Exchange Process. Our club was well represented!
Joanna Herr - Congratulations on a successful fundraiser Water4Life Global Gala! This was held in the Center for Ideas, Antigua, Guatemala. Also attending were Rotarians President Stan Edwards, Kim Rogers, and Dr. Paul Homsy. Unwaivering commitment to provide clean water for all!
Guatemala’s ecosystems are facing a critical threat due to water contamination, endangering the country’s ecology. Much of the country lacks proper sanitation and greywater treatment systems, leading to water-borne illnesses and a toxic environment. Guatemala requires immediate and coordinated action to avert an ecosystem collapse and ensure the well-being of its indigenous communities.
Rotary International President Gordon McInally has asked all of us to “become champions in our effort to illuminate mental health needs near and far”. In this initiative he also says “we need to advocate for removal of the stigma talking about mental health, help people find better quality care, and support them through their journey to recovery”.
How can we all do this ? Education on this topic is very important, and letting those ( of all ages) know it’s ok to talk about mental health and to let them know what resources are available to them!
The District 5890 Mental Health Committee is planning a Mental Health Summit in March of 2024. Your help is needed. We hope to have a member of each club participate and I’m presently talking to the chairs of our Interact clubs and the Interact students themselves on September 30th at Round Up.
The Summit will consist of break out sessions with professional speakers in their areas of expertise in the mental field in the Houston area. Soon the program including the list of speakers will be posted on our club website. There will also be panel discussions with adults and with students.
We would greatly appreciate your help! Please call me or email me if you are interested in helping:)
Sincerely,
Evelyn Traylor Rotary 5890 Mental Health Chair ebtrlr@aol.com My cell: 281-794-0687
February / March 2024 The Houston E-Club community service theme for February and March is Volunteerism – Health, Water & Sanitation – Polio. This is an opportunity for our E-club to focus on some KEY Rotary Areas of global service. Please spread the word and participate locally, individually in the name of rotary, and join our club in targeted events to demonstrate ACTIVE volunteerism making the world and our communities a better place.
We ask that you communicate your participation in any of these activities and use our new communication platform to help us document our club’s execution of “Service Above Self” culture wherever you are.
Most workspaces have been conceived with an industrial production-line mindset. It's time to overcome that outdated model and create environments that help us feel in a true state of flow at work (sense of belonging, community values, peer learning, empathy). Based on experience, Key shares the principles governing the design of the flowspace: Curiosity, Conversation, Community and Care. Key is co-founder of Studio Banana. He's an architect by education and creative entrepreneur by miseducation. Together with his partners, he loves exploring the power of design as a tool for transformation. Key is the partner in charge of Work and Learning environment projects within Studio Banana, and is responsible for projects like the HQ of NTT Switzerland, the multimedia experience at Olympic House, the Nestlé R&D Accelerator or the pioneer EY wavespace in London. One of Studio Banana's most celebrated creations is the Ostrich Pillow. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.
Guerrero Clinic is located in the City of Guerrero Clinic in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico
Guerrero Surgery and Education Center is a non-profit organization that provides free eye care to patients in need throughout the state of Chihuahua in Mexico. Services include eye exams, eyeglasses, cataract surgery and dental procedures to indigent populations surrounding Guerrero, Chihuahua. You can help us by donating or volunteering with us. Started by the Rotary Club of Brazosport, the Guerrero Clinic provides free eye & dental care to indigent people in the City of Guerrero, State of Chihuahua, Mexico. More about the history of this project is following in this article.
We provide volunteer opportunities for medical and non-medical people, adults, students (high school age and up) and families. It is a great experience for parent/child or grandparent/child to share.
Serving multiple populations this clinic serves the Indigent people of Mexico, Mennonite, and Indian Population
WHO SHOULD YOU CONTACT TO VOLUNTEER OR ASK QUESTIONS?
The next clinic will be March 28 thru April 3, 2022. Clinics are held approximately 4 times a year, the clinic will see 750-1200 patients at $0 cost to patients.
It takes both medical and non-medical (you'll be trained at the clinic) volunteers to make the clinic work.
Come discover and celebrate diverse perspectives with a global organization. Learn about who you are as a person while exploring new cultures and peoples.
We are looking for American volunteers for the following roles.
~ Optometrists (1)
~ Ophthalmologists (1, experienced with dense cataracts)
Travel, accommodation & meal costs for the five day clinics are all inclusive (except for alcohol).
Cost to volunteer is $385 plus the cost of airfare. The volunteer fee includes ground transportation in Mexico, shared lodging in Mexico (see photo of accommodations below), just about all of your meals, AND the T-shirt.
Because of COVID protocols. Do not purchase airfare without the approval of either Robert Yudkin or Walter Branson.
TO VOLUNTEER OR WITH OTHER QUESTIONS, CONTACT:
Robert Yudkin 214-213-6808 Robert@GuerreroClinic.org or
Walter Branson 979-236-1970 Walter@GuerreroClinic.org
History of this Service Project
In 1980, Dr. Pruett, an optometrist, traveled to Mexico to perform pro-bono eye exams for children. Instead of treating just a few children, he found that their families - and many more families - also needed help.
Because of their environment and lack of access to medical care, Dr. Pruett recognized that many people in Mexico had terribly dense cataracts which impacted their vision and consequently their lives.
Tom put together groups of optometrists and ophthalmologists to do medical missions in Mexico. These early missions were held in homes, shops, garages and anywhere else where they could be arranged.
Due to the continued high demanded for treatment, Pruett turned to Rotary and his church for help. Walter Branson, a member of The Rotary Club of Brazosport, Texas, has been involved with the clinic since 1983.
The original project - which was planned to last three years - was for a portable surgery center that could be used for surgeries and clinics throughout the state of Chihuahua.
The rough terrain made maintaining the trailer difficult. Undeterred, Branson says they reached out to Rotary clubs in Chihuahua in hopes of finding a permanent location and found the Rotary Club of Cuauhtémoc, the only club based in the mountains of Chihuahua.
The Rotary club took the group to a small town (of about 10,000 people) called Guerrero located in central Chihuahua and located 300 miles from the US border.
The community of Guerrero rallied around the project. Its mayor worked alongside Rotary to find funding. Although only $10,000 was secured, the funds were immediately used to build an updated facility that is now known as the Guerrero Clinic.
The clinic was renovated and improved in April of 2014. At that time, a 5,000 square foot dining/meeting hall (Donated by the Sweeny Texas Rotary club) was erected.
In 2017, The Pruett building was built and dedicated to Dr. Tom Pruett's decades of love and service to the people of Mexico through the Guerrero Clinic. The Pruett building hosts a kitchen, dining area, and bathroom facilites for the clinic's patients.
The clinic, as it stands today, was originally a project of Rotary clubs in districts 5890 (Houston) and 4110 (Mexico). While these districts continue thier support, the clinic's support has grown.
Rotary clubs in other districts - such as Dallas (5810), Massachusetts (7930) and San Francisco (5150) - have also provided material support, grants and volunteers.
While the Guerrero Clinic was founded as a Rotary Clinic, the clinic has developed partnerships and relationships with other fabulous people and organizations such as the Lions Clubs and Volunteer Optometric Service to Humanity (VOSH). These organizations have provided a significant amount of medical volunteers.
Since 2010, people have volunteered at the clinic from at least 23 states in the U.S. and from six countries (United States, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, England and the Dominican Republic)
The clinic encourages optometry students (as well as other young people interested in medicine) to volunteer alongside experienced optometrists, surgeons, dentists and opticians. The practical experience gained elevates their education as the students see things in our clinic that they won't see or experience in the U.S..
Alcon Labs, a healthcare and eye care company, has continuously and generously donated medical supplies throughout the years. Alcon is a key partner in the clinic's success.
During its 40 years of operating, the clinic has seen 60,000 indigent patients - all at no cost to the patients.
Today, the clinic sees patients at least four times a year and provides a variety of free healthcare services, including dental, women's health (pap smears), general medicine, plastic surgery (cleft palates, amputations, and skin grafts), and cancer screenings. The biggest focus is eye care, with up to 650 cataract surgeries performed per year.
“The governor of the state of Chihuahua has said that Guerrero Clinic provides 60% of indigent care in the state, which is the largest state in the country,” Branson says. “Cataracts are a big issue in the region. It’s not uncommon for cataracts to develop at an early age in Chihuahua. Our youngest patient was seven years old.”
Up to 1,000 patients are treated each time the clinic is open. As a result, the town of Guerrero provides public buildings to house patients during clinics.
“Word of mouth has spread throughout the country. People have come to the clinic from over 1,200 miles away,” Branson says. “One couple brought their baby, who needed a cleft palate surgery, and had worked their way from Acapulco to Guerrero because they had no money to pay for the surgery otherwise.”
To sustain the Guerrero Clinic, it not only takes the support of the community in Guerrero but cooperation with and between the neighboring countries of Mexico and the United States.
Dr. Tom Pruett, founder of the clinic, remains active in the clinic. Enjoys working with young ODs and students.
Monthly Board of Directors Meetings - Second Tuesday each month @ Noon
Monthly Zoom Meetings with Speakers - Third Tuesday each month @ Noon
February 24 All-Club District 5890 Meeting @ Safari Ranch -
*One more seat at our club table (#20) . Contact Robin Charlesworth @ 970-880-0960 to sit at the club table, but more may still buy tickets - see district website.
March 4 Mental Health Summit @
March 8 International Women's Day
March 14 Rotary Night at the Rodeo
March 19 Speaker Series - The Rotary Foundation - Why We Support It & How To Give
April 25 - 28 "Cheeseburger in Paradise" District Conference
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