Bibliographic Info:
Title: Mountains Beyond Mountains
Author: Tracy Kidder
Publisher: The Random House Publishing Group
Year Published: 2003
Precis:
Tracy Kidder (the author) takes on a journey with Dr. Paul Farmer. Unlike most doctors, Farmer is devoted in actually curing his patients and pursues his goal to send medicine and care to countries that need it most (i.e Haiti) He walks miles and miles to check in on his Haitian patients, take long plane rides to and from Haiti, and speaks about the situation in these poor countries in books and in conferences. He is a doctor who represents the people of Haiti who are unable to speak for themselves because of their poverty and illness, and is willing to spend his whole life doing so. He should be a role model for other doctors.
Quotes/Responses:
"You're a great guy." I said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "But without your clinical practice-" He interrupted. He said, "I wouldn't be anything." (Page 237)
Response: I found it interesting that Farmer knew that he wouldn't have been in his current position if not for his medical expertise. I coudn't help but think that even though Farmer was devoted and hard working, at the same time he thought of himself highly-which wasn't true at all.
"It occured to me that PIH would probably always be in some kind of jeopardy, because it was constitutionally impossible for Farmer and Kim to sit on resources-to wait for lower drug prices while MDR killed Russian prisoners, to save for an endowment for Zanmi Lasante while Hatian peasants died of AIDS. Their approach, especially toward money, was completely impractical, it seemed to me, and yet it appeared to be working." (Page 253)
Response: Nobody likes the idea of people dying in third world countries because they lack standard care and medicine, but there's always the barrier of money. It's surprising how Farmer and PIH members take the money risk, and shows that they care more about the people who are ill and dying instead of themselves.
"It's embarressing that piddly little projects like ours should serve as exemplars," Farmer told me. "It's only because other people haven't been doing their jobs." (Page 257)
Response: I agree, and its sad that there is such a lack of support and aid. I understand that its not an easy task, but it still makes me question whether people in general can actually have the devotion to support others.
"Hiking into the hills to see just one patient or two is a dumb way for Farmer to spend his time, and even if it weren't, not many other people will follow his example, not enough to make much difference in the world." (Page 294)
Response: I understand where this opinion comes from, but I think it DOES make a difference. Even if its only one person that starts doing something thats obviously 'good' than its going to attract attention.
"And I can imagine Farmer saying he doesn't care if no one else is willing to follow their example. He's still going to make these hikes, he'd insist, because if you say that seven hours is too long to walk for two families of patients, you're saying that their lives matter less than some others', and the idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that's wrong with the world." (Page 294)
Response: This was the most moving quote I found personally, because it makes a lot of sense. Somehow, people tend to create ranks in their minds of who is more important than others and there's something wrong with that idea. And, I think Farmer should be a figure more people should look up to because he teaches lessons other than the obvious that those in poor needs equal care.
I thought this book taught me a valuable lesson about the lives of others, and the fact that not many people can take risks that can help others on a grand scale. Especially towards the end, I found it very insightful that Farmer only does what he does because he wants to and doesn't expect others to follow in his footsteps. I don't think its possible to have people do what Farmer does, but I think its possible for people to get something out of Farmer's views and opinions. I think the problem with today's society is the lack of devotion for others, because we always put ourselves before others. It's hard to risk our own money, status, or anything else even if its for the better good for others.
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