How Lucky Am I?

    I grew up in Centennial, Colorado, in a house where I had my own room and bathroom and a big backyard. I spent weekends playing soccer, traveling all over the place for tournaments, going out to restaurants, shopping, and even going on vacations with my family. I saw the dentist every six months and my primary care doctor every year. If I ever got sick, it was just a five-minute drive to see my doctor, where I got the care and medications that I needed. I never had to wonder if my family could afford medications or if I would be able to see a doctor. It was an expectation and to me, this was simply normal. Looking back, I realize this was a form of wealth.

    Coming to Guatemala has reminded me that while I have been fortunate to grow up with access to healthcare, education, and financial resources, those advantages are not the only measures of a fulfilling life. Most of the families we met face significant barriers to medical care and live with far fewer resources than I do. Yet despite these challenges, they demonstrated an extraordinary sense of community, generosity, and faith.

    During my time in Guatemala, I had the same feeling that I experienced two years ago. I was struck by how much people in this community rely on each other and how much they do for their friends and family. I met a 9 year old boy who carried his little sister on his back and walked a very long distance to get to our clinic. At just nine years old, he already accepted responsibilities that many children never have to face. I met Sophia, whose neighbor traveled five hours just to support her and her family during her clinic visit. I also met Cesar, a patient with severe gout, who was sharing his medications with his brother because he wanted him to get better too.

    These experiences revealed a level of selflessness and commitment to one another that left a lasting impression on me. While strong communities certainly exist in the United States, I believe our culture often places greater emphasis on independence and individual success. In Guatemala, I witnessed a community where people consistently showed up for one another, even when they had very little themselves.

    Witnessing this challenged my own assumptions about what it means to be “rich.” While I have been blessed with opportunities and resources, I realized that strong relationships, compassion, faith, and a supportive community are forms of wealth that cannot be measured financially.

    This experience once again reminded me not to take the healthcare and resources that I have for granted. It also showed me how important relationships and community truly are. Sometimes those qualities provide healing in ways that medicine cannot.

- Jillian, BSN, RN