M.V. Native Sons Take Trip To Treat Syrian Refugees

By CHARLENE PAUL

Moapa Valley Progress

Best friends Eric Paul and Cody Pulsipher, both of whom grew up in Moapa Valley, flew to the country of Jordan on the Syrian border directly south of Damascus earlier this summer. They were on a journey with an aim to help with the Syrian refugee crisis.

The two men were part of the Flying Doctors of America organization. This group is “dedicated to bringing hope and healing to the world’s poor, and have been providing short term, professionally managed, and affordable medical missions to the world for the past 28 years.”

Pulsipher connected with the Flying Doctors a year before being accepted into his Physicians Assistant graduate program in 2011.
“I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to contribute in a meaningful way, as my medical training at the time was, let’s just say, ‘not advanced,’” he said.

Pulsipher’s first mission with the team was to Guatemala. “I’ve been hooked ever since,” he said.
Eric and Cody have been friends since their early years at Moapa Valley High School. Cody graduated from MVHS in 2000 and Eric graduated the following year in 2001. The two have been through many life experiences together, and understand one another in ways not many others do.

Not too long ago, Cody noticed the same feelings of unrest in Eric that he, himself had felt. One evening as they were working on solving the world’s problems, Cody suggested that Eric get involved with the Flying Doctors. Eric was apprehensive. He said, “I am just a paramedic. What could I do?”
But Cody assured him that there was definitely a place for him within the team. Finally, after a little prodding, Eric committed.

Having been to Jordan in the past, Cody was familiar with the surroundings and the people. Eric was awestruck as they walked and talked with refugees and other team members.
“The kids were fascinated with my bald head,” Eric said, “and they kept trying to rub off my tattoos.”

Together with a team of advanced practitioners, physicians, nurses, dentists, and other support staff working in conjunction with The Human Doctor Project comprised of local Jordanian medical students, physicians, and governments officials, the team set up clinics and invited currently displaced Syrian refugees to receive the medical attention they so desperately needed.

Eric did all the triage, the sorting of patients according to the urgency of their need for care.
“Everyone loved Eric and everyone wanted to be around him,” said Cody.

While Eric remained focused on his part of the work, Cody reminded him to take time to ask people about their stories. Asking simple questions, such as, “What are you here for?” and “Can you tell me a little about yourself?” personalized the tasks at hand.

Eric shared an important lesson. “When you start to give yourself to these people, they become people,” he said. “Their plights become real. Their journeys become part of you.”

It is so easy to get caught up in the political issues of the day and forget that decisions made in boardrooms and back alleys affect so many lives. Groups like the Flying Doctors and the people who support them make all the difference to those who cannot do for themselves.

The two men served in the troubled country for about three weeks before returning back home.
When asked if they would consider going back, Cody said, “I’m going back. To the edge of the Syrian crisis. Where families and lives continue to be ripped apart and innocents are caught in the crossfire.”
Eric agreed. “I’m definitely going back,” he said. “Seeing these people changed me. It is hard to take things like clean water, basic healthcare, and shelter for granted. Yep, I’m definitely going back.”

It is true that Moapa Valley is home to some of the best people in the world. They are loving, giving, and caring. Eric Paul and Cody Pulsipher are two of Moapa Valley’s finest.