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This little one was with her mom and brother doing laundry at Pinky’s. She just walked up to Allison and plopped in her lap!

Explanation of the photos:  Photo #1-Sophia with Baby Traveon.  What a doll!  He was 1-month old–born about 4 weeks prematurely, but already had a tooth!  (Very common among this population for babies to be born with one or more teeth).  Photo #2-Me with James, our friend with the cut on his foot from Monday.  Doing MUCH better–it was funny how he just appeared at Pinky’s–Grandma was going to be taking him to Rapid City to see the doctor but his foot was feeling better.  Photo #3-Caption attached.  Photo #4-Grandma Betty getting her cholesterol checked (with Jessica, Lindsay, Emily, Candace, and Caitlin).  Photo #5-Tina, Jessica, and Lindsay at the Diabetes and Cardiovascular Screenings Table in Pinky’s.

Wednesday was truly amazing from start to finish.  We were on our way to Pinky’s Store to set up for health promotion and drove past a woman who was hitchhiking with a big box of diapers.  After a quick discussion in the van, we decided to pick her up (this is not something that I would do anywhere else, but you have to understand how far apart things are here).  Her name was Maddie, and she was on her way home from getting diapers at the convenience store in Kyle (no grocery stores here but one you have to realize).  She had been walking for 2 hours to get home.  We drove her into the Manderson Housing and gave her a bunch of stuff for her 3-year old….clothes, more diapers,  hygiene stuff, etc.  Since we were parked on the street in housing, there were many people watching us from their homes…very curious to see what we were doing and why.  The house that we were parked in front of (not Maddie’s house) had several people of mixed ages in the front yard along with a toddler in a diaper.  My shyest student asked if she could get out and ask them if they needed anything for their little one…talk about challenging yourself and getting out of your comfort zone….I am so proud of her!  She talked to the grandma, and come to find out, the family also had a newborn.  We gave them a car seat, stroller, clothes, etc.  We asked both Maddie and the other family to spread the word that we would be at Pinky’s until about 2.  Well, word sure got out….our child focused stuff was set up outside then our adult screening stuff was set up inside, and we totally hit the jackpot with clients for our services!!!!  We saw about 15 adults for our screenings inside, and again, the students did a phenomenal job of engaging people and being respectful of the culture while also giving out valuable health information.  There was a lady doing laundry who had a 1-month old in the store….I think everyone of the students held him and loved on him and even changed his diaper.  We quickly ran out of our stuff for kids….fitted car seats in cars, gave away diapers, clothes, etc and at the same time tried to give some prevention infor related to kids.  It is easy for us to give things away here which may seem generous, but the title of the blog  and use of the word generosity is more related to the response of the people here.  There is so much need yet they are so generous in spirit.  One of the students (who had told me in the past that she did not like community nursing), actually said, “I could do this all day”.  The students have met my expectations completely, and I am proud of all of them for getting out of the familiar and taking a step into something that would challenge them.

After Pinky’s, we went horseback riding.  We divided the 16 of us up, and my group of 8 went first….oh my goodness, I had no idea that horseback riding would be kind of like a clinical day!  Only 3 students and myself had ridden before, and there was super high anxiety.  I have not ridden in quite a while and was nervous myself, but just like clinical, I could not focus on my own anxiety, I instead coached and served as cheerleader for the students who were also nervous.  After about an hour of just getting everyone on a horse and some tears (yes, there was crying), we all rode!!!!  I rode a beautiful horse named Bullseye.  As we were riding, I just thought to myself, “I can’t believe I’m riding, much less riding an Indian horse!”.  We at one point gave our a horse or two, nursing diagnoses….this helped to relieve anxiety, and as I tell everyone, the nursing process can fit in every aspect of your life!!!!!  🙂  I am again very proud of the students….they conquered horseback riding and survived!!!!

We also got to see a roping demonstration from a real cowboy!  Awesome!  Of course, the audience got to participate, and one of the students told the audience that she could use this method to catch her husband!  Hilarious!

What a day is all I can say!  Photos to come-I’m out of time for now!

Who is that riding in the blue van?   Why, that’s Justin Bieber, Lisa Preston, and Taylor Schumm!

Tuesday was a bit of a different day than planned, but I have learned that you cannot have concrete plans here.  We were going to do another block party, but Ray had to move it to a very small community and thought that we would not see any adults.  Instead we planned to set up in Pinky’s Store, but after arriving and deciding that we couldn’t set up outside (the wind was blowing 50mph+…..I had sand and dirt in my ears!), we couldn’t all (all 16 of us) fit in the store with them expecting food deliveries.   So….flexibility being of the utmost….we moved on–we delivered supplies to the Porcupine Clinic and then went to visit the prairie dogs!  We also were able to visit the Badlands National Park White River Visitors Center.  We spoke to the Ranger, a Lakota man named Marcel for a while, and he taught some Lakota words and sang a song in Lakota especially for us to give us strength and fortitude during our nursing care (both now and in the future).  Of course, this made me cry (the first time of the trip though so I am doing good!).  The name of the song was “Woman Dancer”.  This was such an outstanding experience….perhaps a reward for our patience and flexibility?????  We attempted to drive to Red Shirt Table but had to abort that mission when we came across a dog that had been abandoned in the middle of nowhere that was obviously NOT a rez dog–after 30 minutes of discussion with some tourists in an RV from Colarado, the decision was made that they would take the dog.  Again, a reward for patience–I thought that I was going to end up with a dog for the van.  We saw some beautiful scenery and even though we did not make it to Red Shirt Table, the trip was worth it.  I also ran over a snake!  Tried to get my picture taken with a cow, but I guess I can’t have everything!

As you can tell by the time, it has been another long but excellent day for us.  We started our day with breakfast at Rosie’s and then some quick prep for the block party in Manderson.  The block party was held at the Wounded Knee School in Manderson with a focus on things for the kids–WIngs Like Eagles provided activities, food, and giveaways. Our focus was on dental care teaching, first aid, poison prevention, car seat safety for the kids and then cardiovascular and diabetes screenings for the adults.  We did not see very many adults, but were able to interact with the kids which was really enjoyable.  The kids had so much fun, and no matter what they have or get as a giveaway, they are so happy.  I am very proud of my students–pitching in with the planned activities and even unplanned activities.  There was a bouncy house (technical term?) for the kids, and I got summoned to look at a boy’s foot that had an open wound.  He had cut his foot on a saw several days ago and got 7 stitches, after jumping in the bouncy house, he completely split his stitches open and his sock was stuck to it.  Mom was summoned by the school principal, and with her permission, I removed his sock, cleaned the wound, and dressed it.  I spoke to Mom about signs and symptoms of infection, how to take care of the cut, and then gave her a large bag of supplies so that she could care for it.  I am not a peds nurse, but I do so love feet :)!  I was happy to do this little bit–I do so love being a nurse AND being in Pine Ridge!

After the block party, we met with my personal hero, Joan Nelson, the administrator of the Oglala Lakota College Nursing Program.  She is so amazing!  She spoke to our students about their program (tuition is $87 a credit hour!), nursing on the reservation, and a bit about the Lakota culture.  She is caucasian and has worked on the reservation since 1969.  I always enjoy her presentation–she is so kind and welcoming.  The students seemed to enjoy the opportunity to compare their experience in nursing school in Illinois vs. nursing school on the reservation. 

After our college visit, we then went to the Walmart in Chadron, Nebraska.  During our two hour drive, we saw so many ring-necked pheasant–very interesting!  Our trip to Walmart was needed to pick up more supplies funded by our grant money–unfortunately, we did not have room to pack the ordered stuff (car seats, etc), and Walmart would not ship such a large order to the reservation.  We are now loaded down even more than before, but we have so much to give away. 

I am ready for bed, and as one of my students stated, “I am so tired that I could sleep with a raccoon”!  Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!  My traveling partner and fellow instructor, Lisa Preston, has been a trooper–she definitely has experienced the pull of the reservation and is already planning future contacts/trips to the rez!

Today was an extremely long day—hit the road at 0715 and finally arrived at our motel at 2330.  We are packed in tight in the rental van after taking a seat out, but the cramped quarters and long drive was worth it.  We got to the reservation by about 1800 central time (it’s mountain time here), and my crankiness and impatience vanished.  My relief with arriving safely and being in a place that I love was like a weight being lifted off.  The landscape is beautiful and the weather is perfect.  We checked into the Lakota Prairie Ranch Resort Motel 🙂 and then went immediately to the Veteran’s Powwow in Pine Ridge.  My first pow wow experience, and it was amazing.  The drums and chanting along with the dancers in such elaborate and colorful regalia was beautiful.  Here are some pics!  Tomorrow is a health promotion day in Manderson.

Well, I told the guy at Enterprise that I wouldn’t take the last row seat out of the 15-passenger van, but….had to do it!  We are not necessarily traveling light, but what do you expect from 16 women?  Ready to get this show on the road!  There is a mixture of emotions among the group–generally festive, but some anxiety….lots of moms leaving their kids for a week with tearful goodbyes in the college parking lot.   Looking forward to a great week…wish us luck…and perhaps say a prayer for safety, too!

Welcome to my blog site!  I will be traveling to Pine Ridge, South Dakota on Saturday, 6/9 with 14 nursing students and 1 fellow instructor as part of the Wings Like Eagles contingent.  I plan to blog during this trip–posting comments from the road and reservation, as well as pictures.  Please follow my blog!
Thanks,

Julie Mattingly MSN RN