September is National Suicide Prevention Month and a time to remember those living with depression.
September 2024 marks six years since Kathi Gutierrez and I conducted our first recorded interviews with fistula survivors. I had been involved with Dignity:Liberia since 2012, and had spent time with survivors: singing with them, learning some of the trade skills they were taught, helping them with a reading class, and doing crafts. I also watched as they danced joyously and showed them pictures of my family and pets. I understood on an intellectual level that an obstetric fistula causes constant leaking of urine or feces (sometimes both), but I had never asked how their injury made them feel.
By asking probing questions such as “how did this [fistula] happen?” and “what makes it hard,” I finally felt in my heart, the pain caused by the peepee poopoo disease. I did not realize that most survivors had delivered stillborn babies and that they had had hysterectomies due to tissue damage. Their responses, some delivered with downcast eyes, helped me understand that some were smiling to mask their pain, while others were smiling because they had found joy at knowing they weren’t alone. We spoke with 12 survivors who opened up about the injury that had caused them so much pain and shame.
Their stories were very similar. Constantly leaking urine, Beatrice cried all the time and washed frequently. Only her mother knew about her fistula because she was ashamed. Another survivor told us that before having her fistula repaired, she had to change her clothes 9 or 10 times a day. Yet another told us that even with in a supporting environment, there was a temptation to commit suicide.
Fanta told us that during her labor, a traditional tribal midwife tried unsuccessfully to force the birthing process. When they finally took her to the hospital, her baby had already died. Helena told us she would encourage friends to go to the hospital to give birth. Similarly, Hawa would advise her pregnant friends to have their baby in a hospital or clinic.
Dignity:Liberia’s maternity waiting home, House of Hope and Dignity will allow Helena and Hawa’s friends to do that. The home is on the cusp of becoming operational. However, we are raising funds for an ambulance, which we are required to have before we can open. Per Dr. John Mulbah, a world-renowned OB/Gyn in the area of obstetric fistula, the injury is preventable with such a home and medical care. It will be a game changer!
We are so grateful to all of you who have stayed with us on this journey. It has been longer than hoped and your companionship means a lot. It helps to know that you are supporting our efforts to fight depression and end suicidal thoughts brought on by this avoidable injury!
Click on this link if you would like to hear the fistula survivors’ stories.
September 2024 marks six years since Kathi Gutierrez and I conducted our first recorded interviews with fistula survivors. I had been involved with Dignity:Liberia since 2012, and had spent time with survivors: singing with them, learning some of the trade skills they were taught, helping them with a reading class, and doing crafts. I also watched as they danced joyously and showed them pictures of my family and pets. I understood on an intellectual level that an obstetric fistula causes constant leaking of urine or feces (sometimes both), but I had never asked how their injury made them feel.
By asking probing questions such as “how did this [fistula] happen?” and “what makes it hard,” I finally felt in my heart, the pain caused by the peepee poopoo disease. I did not realize that most survivors had delivered stillborn babies and that they had had hysterectomies due to tissue damage. Their responses, some delivered with downcast eyes, helped me understand that some were smiling to mask their pain, while others were smiling because they had found joy at knowing they weren’t alone. We spoke with 12 survivors who opened up about the injury that had caused them so much pain and shame.
Their stories were very similar. Constantly leaking urine, Beatrice cried all the time and washed frequently. Only her mother knew about her fistula because she was ashamed. Another survivor told us that before having her fistula repaired, she had to change her clothes 9 or 10 times a day. Yet another told us that even with in a supporting environment, there was a temptation to commit suicide.
Fanta told us that during her labor, a traditional tribal midwife tried unsuccessfully to force the birthing process. When they finally took her to the hospital, her baby had already died. Helena told us she would encourage friends to go to the hospital to give birth. Similarly, Hawa would advise her pregnant friends to have their baby in a hospital or clinic.
Dignity:Liberia’s maternity waiting home, House of Hope and Dignity will allow Helena and Hawa’s friends to do that. The home is on the cusp of becoming operational. However, we are raising funds for an ambulance, which we are required to have before we can open. Per Dr. John Mulbah, a world-renowned OB/Gyn in the area of obstetric fistula, the injury is preventable with such a home and medical care. It will be a game changer!
We are so grateful to all of you who have stayed with us on this journey. It has been longer than hoped and your companionship means a lot. It helps to know that you are supporting our efforts to fight depression and end suicidal thoughts brought on by this avoidable injury!
Click on this link if you would like to hear the fistula survivors’ stories.
 | Kathy Beth Stavinoha Kathy Beth graduated from high school in Monrovia, Liberia in 1977. She retired from St. Edward’s University in 2022 after 21+ years of service. She lives in Brenham, TX with her husband and cat. |
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