Was This Day A Bust?

We’re always trying new things–trying to get out in the community as much as we can, wherever we can.  I have my tried and true health promotion sites, and Saturday was going to be about health promotion in the parking lot of the pow wow.  But first, the group went to the Pow Wow Parade in Pine Ridge for the first time.  I love this group-when offered the opportunity to sleep in just a bit and go to the pow wow grounds after the parade, the decision was an immediate request to leave early so that the parade could be experienced.  We waited for quite a while for the parade to start, and the day was overcast and cooler than anticipated.  The main street in Pine Ridge (where Big Bat’s is located) was full of families with children and older adults ready to see the parade.  After helping 3 kids who were near us at the curb gather as much candy thrown from the floats as possible, we moved back to the SUV when it started to rain.  I was ready to wait the rain out since we had planned to do health promotion and loaded the vehicle with all of our gear and giveaways.  The rain did not cooperate though, and after becoming more steady, I made the command decision to pack it in, at least for the pow wow plan.  Did I mention that this group is great?  Well, they proved it again when no one uttered a single complaint about not being able to do what we really wanted for the day.

We adjusted the plan and went to see Rosie to do her “check up”.  Along with Rosie’s screenings, we also did 2 others–for the girls who were working in the store.  The students did a great job with these screenings and health education.  We also took the opportunity to browse in the store, chat with Allyssa, and visit with Rosie more.  After a quick motel siesta and a change of clothes, we ventured out into the Badlands.  I know that my friend, Lisa Preston, who has traveled with me to Pine Ridge in past years will be shocked, but the road in the Badlands has been paved!  So exciting!  We drove to Red Shirt Table and admired all of the beautiful sights–the terrain, small fields of sunflowers,  the Red Shirt Table overlook, and the beginning of a gorgeous sunset.  After many pictures, much laughter, shopping at the Sharps Corner grocery, and some singing along with KILI on the radio, we turned in for the night.

So, while at first glance this day seems like a bust because we did not get to do the health promotion at the pow wow grounds because of the rain, it actually was not.  It was a successful day because I learned more about Pine Ridge and have a new potential site/event for health promotion.  Next year we will set up beside the parade route and offer screenings to those who are waiting for the parade.  I’m pretty sure that we can actually make this a mobile service–rather than having people come to us, we will just carry our equipment with us and travel the parade route. In addition to this new opportunity, the students completed three screenings with education.  It’s not about the numbers, it is about the quality of the interaction, and this was a great start.  The trip to the Badlands was fantastic.  The bonding experience and laughter is not one that I will forget.  So, yes, a change in plans, but no, this day was a success!