Since returning from Haiti I have had many strong emotions and feelings. I have heard it is not uncommon for relief workers to experience profound reactions when arriving home, such as: guilt, sadness, anxiety, and depression. I have felt all of these at different times since my return.

It has been difficult to write about Haiti. I often sat down and tried to write, but the words on the computer screen would quickly blur as my eyes teared up. At these times I would get up from the computer and busy myself with something else, often finding silly, non-consequential chores to do around the house, anything to keep my fingers from conveying what was in my mind and heart. However, the need to write about this experience, and the catharsis that comes from putting onto paper what I saw and experienced, drew me back to my computer to do the emotional work that had to be done.

Dr. McKersie in Les Bours, Haiti.