21 Comments

Thanks, Peter. A very poignant awakening. A disconcerting step back in time.

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Thank you Manuela for your thoughtful comment. There’s a background of politics and religion that is difficult to change. One is sometimes left picking up the pieces.

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A moving, and difficult story. Thank you for making her feel less guilty and afraid.

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Thanks Amy for reading! Sadly, the difficulties surrounding health care are so often compounded for women.

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A poignant tale... beautifully and succinctly written. thank you.

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Thank you, Mary. There have been many poignant lessons in my practice in Africa and elsewhere overseas, and in North America as well. I look forward to sharing more in future posts.

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Peter, this story is so well told that I felt sorrow, and then delight that you were there to affirm her choice. You have been a savior to so many people.

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Thanks Kathleen, I'm glad if I was able to communicate some of the emotion I feel when a woman with seven children must endure such danger, and shame, in order to have a needed sterilization.

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Who said beautifully told story brought me to tears.

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Thanks Kay for reading! I'm glad this story touched you meaningfully.

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I enjoyed reading this Peter and i thank you for sharing.

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Thank you for this poignant reminder of how lucky we are and how much more needs to be done.

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Thank you for your story...opens a window on a world. As has been said, a moving and difficult story, but valuable to hear. Thank you for bringing kindness to a vulnerable person.

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Thanks for your comment, Carol. Opening windows on worlds is certainly part of what I would like to do!

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Peter

This is a story well told, but too painful for words

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Thanks very much Richard for your response. I think our eyes glaze over with the kind of statistics that I’ve presented, while the illustrative story of a single individual can speak to us directly and profoundly.

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Hi Peter. these are the stories you're so good at writing. They're well set down, and full of heart. For some reason you've been sent to my "promotions" folder. Have to rectify that so I don't miss them. Write On!

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Peter,

I can feel all the emotions, thank you

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Hello Louise, I glad the emotions in the story reached you. Living in North America it is startling to contemplate the death rate in young children in sub-Saharan Africa, and the dangers in having a simple sterilization procedure.

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A moving and beautifully told story, Peter, that encapsulates so much.

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Thank you, Jill, I'm glad you find it encapsulates so much. There is a great deal that goes into creating a system where children die in such numbers, and where in order to have a sterilization, women must endure such shame and risk.

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