Shots

Hello to my blogging followers (I know there are thousands of you flocking to soak up every word),

My name is Billy Rison and I am a senior here at The College. The picture to the left is of my brother and I dancing... I'm on the right. I am an American Studies major and I heard about the WM Haiti Compact Trip through our lovely trip leader Kylee Ponder. Next year I will be teaching Elementary Special Education in New Orleans through Teach For America. Traveling to Haiti was something I wanted to do because I am in the class "Haiti and the US". I focus on ethnic minorities and their personal experience in the US within my American Studies major, and traveling to Haiti would allow me to experience would be a broader understanding of US and Haiti relations. I am looking forward to the personal experience I will have with the Haitians, not only in helping them with basic needs that affect their everyday lives, but also because they will help me understand our broader impact on Caribbean countries. Haiti is rich in culture and I'm excited to learn from it.

In preparation for our trip to Haiti, I have had to learn about all of the fun and exciting diseases we have the opportunity of contracting while in Haiti. Before Thanksgiving Break I was stuck like a pin cushion to prevent Typhoid and Hepatitis A. One shot in each arm. I could hardly feel each needle, but later in the day it felt like a starting lineman from our football team had punched both arms. I soon got over the soreness, but it made me think a little more about why it was necessary to get all of these shots to visit a country that is a next door neighbor of ours. A country ravaged by natural disaster, both earthquake and hurricanes, extreme poverty, political strife, and little medical help has left the country vulnerable to diseases easily controlled in the US. It really makes me think how silly it is for me to be worried about what I'm getting friends and family for Christmas or how I haven't seen the latest Twilight movie (I got jokes). In all seriousness, though, I anticipate an eye opening trip in which I will experience extreme poverty and inequality. I am ready to help, and to spread the word after the trip. We have a little over a month until go time.

Best,

Billy Rison