*Winter 2001 Magazine CR - Webpages at SCU - Santa Clara ...

stay away from temptation. They haveno physician or dentist available tothem, so they depend on the FlyingDoctors or other social service groupsfor medical and dental care.”4 p.m. “We have an influx of children,9- to 11-year-olds, some ofwhom need dental care. Others arejust here for exams. One little girl hada natural loose child’s tooth but shethought she had a serious problem.Others have decay, but for the mostpart they seem well cared for.”8 p.m. “We saw 42 patients, but thetoughest patient was last. He was a young man who reallyneeded oral surgery for a very painful back molar. Ittook the dentists almost an hour. I got to assist by holdingan aviation flashlight so they could see better.”10 p.m. “After dinner at the same restaurant—Iknow the menu quite well by now—we’re at the dorm,ready to crash (a bad word for a pilot); to retire?(that’s a bad word for a professor in his 50s); to falldown on the cot and just sleep.”On their return trip home, Stover and his companionswere able to spend part of the day Sundaywhale watching in Laguna San Ignacio. Bad weatherforced them to spend the night in San Diego beforereturning to San Jose on Monday.After nearly 16 hours total flying time, Stover wasready to relax and reflect on his journey. “All of thetrips are different,” he says. “This was a dental trip,where you’re exposed to more pain. Normally,you’re seeing people who have problems, but they’renot in acute pain.“A lot of times I found myself juststanding right next to the dentist andthe dental assistant, touching thepatient’s hand or trying to make eyecontact or smiling and letting themknow it’s OK,” Stover says. “I don’tspeak Spanish very well, but I can sayesta bien and things like that. Theyreally appreciate the help. They’rejust not always able to articulate that.”Stover said he occasionally remaineddiscouraged after returning from hisearly trips to Mexico. But he is nowStover assists dentist Adrian Fenderson as anislander has some teeth extracted. Most residentshave no dental insurance.Stover and the other volunteers allowed timefor whale watching off Mexico on their way backup the Pacific coast.more optimistic.“I don’t want to say I’m immunefrom those kinds of feelings anymorebecause it’s hard to see someone inpain, but I certainly know what I’mgetting into when we go down there.This is rural Mexico, the poverty issubstantial. People are living inshacks. If you haven’t seen that before,or even if you have, it’s hard to take.But their resilience is amazing.”After a few months’ down time,Stover expects to fly more doctors ordentists to Mexico this year.The Flying Doctors’ ProgramsThe Flying Doctors run regular, four-day trips to several locationsin Mexico each month. For general information, traveldates, or to contact a trip coordinator, visit www.flyingdocs.org.The group also: Provides medical care to Mexican immigrants living on anIndian reservation near Palm Springs. Offers non-emergency transportation to Bay Areaemergency care facilities for Mexican children with burninjuries. The group also helps provide housing and supportfor the children during their stay in the area. Provides food, clothing, and gifts in December to severalneedy San Jose families.How You Can HelpThe group is seeking general volunteers as well as medical andhealth care professionals, Spanish interpreters, pilots, andfund-raisers. Please contact The Flying Doctors if you would liketo help.“I get down there and get tiredworking hard assisting the dentists ordoctors, but I realize the experienceof helping people is really valuable,”he says. “I’ve always come away withmore than I’ve given.”For more information about TheFlying Doctors, including volunteeropportunities, visit www.flyingdocs.org,e-mail info@flyingdocs.org, or call1-800-585-4LMV.Adam Breen is editor of Santa ClaraMagazine.SANTA CLARA MAGAZINE/SUMMER 2001 17