When I think of Socks*

Gayl Bowser
Coordinator: Oregon Technology Access Program
State of Oregon Specialist: Statewide Services for Students with Orthopedic Impairments
Coordinator: Southern Oregon EI and ECSE Services
Gayl.Bowser@douglasesd.k12.or.us

I've been home for two days now. My little house in the north woods looks so much more elegant than it used to. Huge by comparison to those in Ecuador and there are only two of us who live here.

Yesterday I did my laundry from the trip and thought about socks. For me, socks are coming to represent many things about the CITTI Project trip. When I think of socks, I think of Norma.

Norma is one of the adults we met in Ecuador. She had a brain tumor that caused significant muscle weakness over most of her body. Stacey and Lori and Andrea went to visit her home at Norma's request. She's a beautiful young woman with many skills and abilities. When someone asked her to write something, she wrote in English. She had a list of things that she was having trouble doing and wanted help with them. Stacey referred to the visit as "Classic OT" because they were working to help Norma figure out how to do the things she had been used to doing before her illness and also to discuss possible work opportunities for her future.

During the course of the visit, Norma mentioned that her feet were cold a lot. Poor circulation because of the tumor. It should have been an easy answer. Someone suggested that she wear two or three pairs of socks. But then came the reality. She only had one pair of socks.

As we shared the story among the CITTI project folks, we also shared socks with Norma. At last count, she now has nine pair and on our last day celebration, she was wearing two of them at the same time to keep her feet warm.

I keep thinking of those socks. When I packed to go to Ecuador, I packed enough clothes for a week. But that didn't make a dent in my very full closet and dresser. As I unpacked, I counted the socks. I had taken twelve pair, some for warm days, some for hiking and a couple pair for days when I dressed for more formal events in town. I am wealthy in socks.

I used to think that I live fairly simply. By U.S. standards my house and my wardrobe are small. But Huambalo taught me more about how rich I truly am.

Because of the CITTI Project trip, I have a wealth of new friends. I was gifted with hundreds of hugs. Children met me at the bus and shared their love with me every day in Huambalo. Parents smiled and encouraged me. Teachers tried to help me with my inadequate Spanish and children taught me how to pronounce their words correctly so that I would not sound silly. CITTI project members taught me more than they will ever know about love and caring. I came home a woman wealthy in love and caring.

Today I will count all the pairs of socks in my drawer. I want to know how many pair I have and to remember that number when I feel a lack in any part of my life. I want to always be grateful for the abundance in my life. I am a wealthy woman. I have good friends who love me, children who smile when they see me and many, many pairs of socks!

AFTERWARD:

Two weeks after we returned, the Tungurahua volcano erupted. Thousands were evacuated. Huambalo, where the CITTI project worked daily with children, families and educators nestles on the side of the volcano. It was showered with ash and volcanic rocks. Crops were destroyed, water was polluted and animals had no forage. The lives of many were changed. It is no longer socks that are needed in this part of Ecuador. For now the needs are for food, temporary shelters, protective masks, clean water and hope. Once more we are challenged and to share.

NOTE: A Volcano Relief Fund is being sponsored by the CITTI Project to meet this challenge. Please see the article regarding the fund by Bridgett Perry, Director of the CITTI Project: http://www.connsensebulletin.com/cittivol.html

*This is an article that originally appeared on the CITTI Tour Blog. Gayl was moved to revise it after we returned home and heard of the eruption.
http://citti.blogspot.com

Gayl Bowser is a great friend and a team member of the Community Inclusion Through Technology, International (The CITTI Project) Study Tour - Ecuador 2006. The CITTI Project builds capacity in developing countries to use assistive technology. For more information see CITTIproject.org