“Women are not dying because of untreatable diseases. They
are dying because societies have yet to make the decision that their lives are
worth saving.” This statement was noted by the journal Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, this was on page 116
in our book and I thought it well represented this chapter. This book just keeps
surprising me with all these statistics and horrible stories. I thought it was
shocking that only five percent of local women (in Africa) deliver in a
hospital. They have no voluntary blood donations! We do a ton of blood drives
here, even in my own experiences; they came to my high school and put them on
almost everywhere. When I really think about it though, it does make sense
because a lot of people in their other countries that we have read about so
far, are probably not in the best condition to “voluntarily” give blood. But still,
this is still shocking. The story about Prudence was very upsetting; the fact
that a doctor would not help her in any way in spite of the husband was
disgusting. Her baby had died inside of her and was poisoning her, I can’t even
imagine.
As I keep
reading about all the stories Nick Kristof tells, I come to admire him. What he
does is amazing and unbelievable. In the story I mentioned above, he paid the
doctors money to do the surgery and him and his camera man donated their own
blood! In another story I remember he paid a brothel owner close to $300 I believe
for him to take the girl home. He does not give up on these women; he reflects
hope for them and shows them that there is another way. For someone to devote
their life to helping people, it just shows that there are good people out
there. It is sometimes a little hard not
to be a frustrated with men after reading these stories, but look at who wrote
this book, a man. I think it would be really neat to meet him and just have him
personally tell you some of his stories and how it has changed and shaped him.
Every story I have read in this book has also disgusted me. Some, like this one, left me in tears. I can’t even being to imagine how this woman must have felt to have her baby die inside of her, than to not be able to get rid of it and just have it start to cause her health problems. With all of the horrifying stories we've read, I have also noticed that there is also good to humanity. We have people like Nick who are trying to help these women. While yes, we have some cruel people in this world, I love learning about what has been done to save some of these woman.
ReplyDeleteThe fact of the story with prudence made me so sad as well. How could you do that to another human being? The fact that the doctor thought they could raise the $80 dollars is insane. Sometimes you have to go out on a whim and say hey, maybe they really can’t get the other money. Also it really bugged me when the doctor just up and left for home. All in all I totally agree with you when you said that the story about Prudence was very upsetting. Most of these stories we read about are just very upsetting.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the quote that you began with is a very sad reality. I don't see how anyone could say that a man's life is more valuable than a woman's life. If women didn't exist then men wouldn't be on this earth today - seeing as though men can't give birth. Don't men think about their mothers before they speak badly about women? I don't understand the thought process for humans that think this way. It makes me feel very grateful to live in this country and to live in today's society where women are more accepted than they were in earlier years - even though we may not be completely equal yet. The healthcare that we have in the United States is also far more advanced and accessible (even though there are many, many flaws) I feel like we, as American's take things like this for advantage. Can you imagine giving birth and someone sitting and jumping on your lower abdomen trying to push the baby out? This is what results from lack of knowledge - as a result from lack of schooling, which is a very sad concept and can result in many more issues, wether it's health or social issues. As I said in one of my earlier posts, I think that Sri Lanka is a very good example for other countries to follow in the way that they really dedicated time and efforts in protecting and nurturing mothers before and after birth. Every problem was evaluated and they found solutions to most all of the problems, including advanced services (such as C sections), locality, and accessibility (such as ambulances).
ReplyDeleteOn the subject of Nick Kristoff, I think that he is a great person to be doing all of things things, as well as a very knowledgable person. It really takes a kind hearted, willing, person to educate the world on this subject, and to learn and experience all of the things that he has. "Half The Sky," really has opened up a whole new reality in my world, that I didn't even know existed prior to these readings. It is very sad to read, but it makes you more aware of what is actually going on in other places, and it definitely makes me want to do something to change the horrible things that happen to women worldwide. Women should not have to suffer their whole lives, just for being born. They did nothing to deserve any of these things, and it should come to an end - but when will it?
I also really admire Nick Kristof because usually reporters are there to question and learn so they can take the information home and write about it and they aren't suppose to get involved or participate. It was inspiring to read about him and his crew paying money and donating blood and doing anything else they could to help these women. It just goes to show how easy it is for us foreigners to make a difference and how simple the solutions are. Providing transportation, medical supplies, education, etc. can go a long way in these poor countries. I can't imagine how frustrating and heart wrenching it was for them to sit there as Prudence died knowing full well that her death was preventable.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if people here have thought about donating blood to other countries? I'm not really even sure if that's possible, but people here in America, who are able to, are pretty willing to give blood. I do it whenever I can, and am thankful that my blood is able to be used to help someone else. I can understand, as well, that people in those countries wouldn't really be "voluntarily". That's what brought me to thinking, blood drives are every where in America and people are willing to volunteer.
ReplyDeleteI also, admire Nick. He has done so much and continues to fight to rescue these women. Nick gives out hope, and encouragement that there are some people acting out their words. It's great to see someone put such effort into a country who is in desperate need of our attention and love. I also like how he's brought this attention to other celebrities and recognizable faces. It's important that they, too, know these facts and are aware of what's happening outside of their own lives.
I felt so bad that the Doctor did not help Prudence when they are not suppose to judge people. Doctors are there to heal people not send them away. it got me very upset because she was getting sick from the death of her baby. I was so happy when Nick came along and I also adore hime because he took his money, blood, and everything in him to help Prudence and other women. It takes a strong man to do that because it could put himself in danger, but he did not care he wanted to help people. He is my example of an amazing man and human he deserve a medal or something. :)
ReplyDeleteYes I agree and I will continue to promote the need for help for women or anyone that is in distress. These stories are becoming sad, upon sadder, upon sadness, but it is also encouraging to know that there are people that will go to great heights for another human being. About society and how women are treated I'm becoming more continuous and aware of unfair treatment and my responsibility as a man for women and girls all around me.
ReplyDeleteI found myself getting really upset and angry while reading this chapter when I came to the part about Prudence. Knowing that the doctor refused to help her in such a serious situation made my stomach turn. Doctors are supposed to be helping save peoples lives. Its sad to know that in some countries, this is not the case. I like how you talked about the author in your last paragraph. Although the stories in this book can be very depressing, its nice to read about the amazing things Nick Kristof has done to help prevent the problems talked about in his book. I like the point you made about men in your post. It is hard not to be angry at men after reading these stories, but we have to remember who wrote the book! ;)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent blog post. The 5% statistic of blood donations in Africa stood out to me right when I read that. Kristof is someone who doesn’t sit back and talk; he is out on in the field taking action, and informing the public as well. There are common themes that keep appearing in these Half The Sky chapters, and I think the most common theme is education. Logical answers to these entire women problems seem to be geared towards educating.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeletePrudence Lemokouno’s story was by far the most heart-breaking story I have read in this book. Unlike many of the helpless women in this book, Prudence was surrounded by people who were able to help her. The hospital she was taken to received the funds necessary to save the life of this woman and her baby, and yet, the unsympathetic medical personnel were unwilling to help her. They did not seem to value Prudence’s life in any way, and even though they continued to ask for more money, they did not even have many of the medical supplies needed to save her life. One of the nurses at the hospital explained that “most of the time in emergencies, the family doesn't pay” as if this were an excuse for not helping a dying woman and her baby. Even after Nick offered to pay for the medical costs, Prudence did not receive the medical attention that she needed for three whole days. Because of this, Prudence died as a result of the infection growing in her abdomen. This is just unreal to me. Not only were the actions of the medical personnel shocking, so were the actions of Prudence’s birth attendant, who to induce labor “sat on Prudence’s stomach and jumped up and down.” I don’t understand how this woman could be considered a “traditional birth attendant” yet have no training whatsoever.
ReplyDeletePrudence Lemokouno’s story was by far the most heart-breaking story I have read in this book. Unlike many of the helpless women in this book, Prudence was surrounded by people who were able to help her. The hospital she was taken to received the funds necessary to save the life of this woman and her baby, and yet, the unsympathetic medical personnel were unwilling to help her. They did not seem to value Prudence’s life in any way, and even though they continued to ask for more money, they did not even have many of the medical supplies needed to save her life. One of the nurses at the hospital explained that “most of the time in emergencies, the family doesn't pay” as if this were an excuse for not helping a dying woman and her baby. Even after Nick offered to pay for the medical costs, Prudence did not receive the medical attention that she needed for three whole days. Because of this, Prudence died as a result of the infection growing in her abdomen. This is just unreal to me. Not only were the actions of the medical personnel shocking, so were the actions of Prudence’s birth attendant, who to induce labor “sat on Prudence’s stomach and jumped up and down.” I don’t understand how this woman could be considered a “traditional birth attendant” yet have no training whatsoever.
I don't mean to sound intolerant in any way, I just find this so appalling. I do understand that the doctors and nurses are dealing with lack of resources and funding, and that they have been taken advantage of in the past. They may seem cold to us, but they probably experience these situations on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteI loved the quote you pulled out of the book. It's so true and eye opening..yes these women are dying of diseases but it's the fact that they're not being tended to. If they got attention for the health problems they were having, these deaths could be prevented. It is amazing what this author is doing to help! I also find it incredible that it is a man helping. I don't think trafficking makes a bad name for men because there are plenty of good men in the world. I just feel like since he is a man helping these women who have been abused by these men, it's showing them that not all men are bad. I think that having a man save them from this thing they're caught in, opens their eyes and makes them not so scared and judgmental towards ALL men! I think it's a great thing he's doing and I would also love to hear him speak and hear more real life stories that he has!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I had completely forgotten that this book was written by a man. I think that the author gives a very good, unbiased story. And I really can't blame him for paying the remainder of her bill to try and get that surgery! As I read all of these stories, I can't help but think of how easy it would be to save these women, if only there was more money available. If only there were more resources available. It makes me want to fly over to some of these countries and give them my paycheck, just so I could make sure it was making a difference in one person's life. It is hard to donate, like they said, when you are just looking at statistics. When you don't see that person physically in front of you, or when you don't hear their own personal story. I feel like a lot of progress could be made today if people would only read this book! It would make a huge impact.
ReplyDelete