America Is Better Than This!--October 2020

 

Mr. and Mrs. Valcin–July 2020 (Photo by John Carroll)

“Doctor, my legs are swelling.”

This is what my Haitian patient texted me last night. 

Mr. Valcin is a 42-year-old Haitian man who is in heart failure. Like many other Haitians, Mr. Valcin is suffering from a disease of poverty. His heart problem is from rheumatic heart disease secondary to an untreated strep throat which is common in poor populations living in crowded conditions. 

The good news is that Mr. Valcin has been accepted by a medical center and heart surgeon in the United States for heart surgery. And both the heart surgeon and the medical center are providing their care pro bono.  

We have applied twice for a non-immigrant visa for Mr. Valcin to travel to the United States for surgery. In early September, on his first application, he was denied this visa by the American Embassy in Port au Prince. And with his second application, Mr. Valcin was not granted an interview. 

We have not been given a reason by the American Embassy for their action.

Mr. Valcin is a school teacher in Port au Prince. And he has every reason to return to Haiti after his surgery– a wife and two young children, a job, and a bank account. We have supplied all relevant documents to the American Embassy in Port-au-Prince including his medical letters and his acceptance letters by the US medical center and heart surgeon. 

Mr. Valcin is a kind, intelligent, and patient man. However, he will die without heart surgery. To deny him this opportunity seems so unnecessary and so cruel.

What will his wife and two kids do without him?

America is so much better than this. 

 

John A. Carroll, MD

www.haitianhearts.org

3 thoughts on “America Is Better Than This!”

1. Micki Morency

2. says:

3. October 5, 2020 at 8:47 am
   I used to believe that America was “better than this” Not lately. I’ve seen her true face lately and it ain’t pretty. Mr. Valcin is the wrong color and from a shit hole country. His life means nothing to too many.
   Reply

4. Ann Griffin

5. says:

6. October 6, 2020 at 10:47 am
   This is federal policy under the current president. Apply again once we have a new president. I agree with Micki. Right now it is ugly here.
   Reply

1. John Carroll, MD

2. says:

October 6, 2020 at 7:30 pm
Unfortunately, Mr. Valcin does not have the luxury of time.
Reply