SEATTLE - A medical team of Snohomish County doctors and paramedics have arrived home from Haiti with harrowing tales of pain, and suffering, but also triumph.
"I've just come from somewhere where people two weeks ago had nothing and now they somehow have even less than that," said Jeff Brown.
The four paramedics thought they'd seen it all, until Haiti.
"When we pulled in they were carrying people up to the cars and bring them to us in wheelbarrows, a fractured hip on a motorcycle," said Christopher Tompkins, International Medical Assistance Team.
After watching the devastation on television, Tompkins decided to gather all of his medical professional friends for a humanitarian trip to Haiti.
"Being a part of something like this has to change you. Hopefully it will make me more compassionate," said Paul Chretella.
The trip was incredibly emotional for the four. They helped more than 150 people the first day they arrived. They were most touched by the orphans.
"So we gave them as much as we could," said tearful Raymond Ju. "To give them hope that they have to survive to come back to their adoptive family, but it's hard."
Despite the massive turmoil, their resolve is stronger than ever. They helped people, they saved people, and there's even more to do.
"I want people to know that sometimes you can't just write a check for that, there needs to be boots on the ground to do work," said Tompkins.
He hopes that his group can mobilize enough doctors, nurses, dentists and other medical professionals to give medical assistance for as long as it's needed.
"If there comes a day when you're hurt or sick and alone, then your world view will change. And you'll wish that somebody would come and help you. And if that day comes I hope somebody like us can come and help you," said Chretella.
For more information on how to help the International Medical Assistance Team with their mission email internationalmedicalassistance@gmail.com or Facebook username: International.Medical.Assistance.Team
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