I have often been asked if I ever dreamed CAMO – Central American Medical Outreach Inc. – would become what it is today. My answer is a clear “No.” Nor can I imagine what CAMO will be in ten years. What I do know is that the process of making a vision of the CAMO Model a reality has been a puzzle with a thousand pieces. Each piece is a human who has had a profound impact on CAMO. Every single one of them has been an important part of the emerging picture, and each of them taught me something. Without them CAMO – and I – would not be what or who we are today. When one piece of the puzzle is missing, the whole becomes much less than intended. To all the myriad people who have influenced my own journey and the successes of CAMO, I am deeply, deeply grateful that you were part of the grand puzzle.   Many things had to happen to lead me to this life. This blog will be a journey of glimpses of my life and journey. 

Did you know that if the test says that you cannot do something, it is true? My life has proved this to be absolutely wrong. However, for many decades, guidance counselors told the apprehensive young people sitting on the other side of their desks how they should live their lives or that they are not college material the stories of this are resounding. I choose not to believe this advice given to me at 15 years old.  I was lucky as I had parents and family who encouraged me to do my best.   I would encourage all of you to do your  best, and by doing so you also can prove the world wrong.

School was hard for me I remember my elementary school years days I would say “No, Mom! Don’t make me go to school!” Even at age seven, it seemed impossible to control my tongue. The thing just seemed much too big for my mouth. “Mom,” I pleaded, “the kids constantly make fun of me, everyone is always correcting me. Please, Mom, don’t make me go!” No matter how much fussing or crying, my no-nonsense mother would put me on the bus where my brother John would sit close to me. Only nine, he already knew when I would start looking sick and would tell the bus driver to stop the bus so he could open the front door to let me throw up. Wisely, I always sat in the front seat right behind the door for that horrible ride to Kidron Elementary School. My earliest school days began with that constant agony – what would happen to me today and how would I make it through one more day? My fear and apprehension always resulted in my stomach being tied in a knot.