Sunday, February 24, 2013

Updating my PC blog re: accident et al

It's February 2013 and I can't believe I never updated this Peace Corps blog with a link to a new blog I  created. It is a mini-diversion regarding my broken shoulder and care after a traffic accident while on vacation with another PCV in Turkey. That accident and hospitalization seem disconnected from anything I had previously written about teaching English in Azerbaijan. So I began creating a few new posts last August during my 45-day recovery stay in Washington, DC.

Here's the link to those few entries which I managed to type back then with only my left-hand. (As of this date in February 2013, I'm able to type again with both hands!)
http://peggyinturkey.blogspot.com/

Better news and another blog seem in order. I recently received word that I have been medically approved to return to Azerbaijan to finish my Peace Corps service. It has been almost 7 months since the traffic accident that "interrupted" my service. I specifically asked to be medically separated in the hopes that I would recover and return to AZ within a year.

I had such hopes and dreams to complete the sustainability portion of my service. That is, I was preparing to coach and assist the English teachers at my school in using current inter-active language teaching methods. Hardest of all was not being able to say good-bye to my host families, teachers, students, and people in the community where I had lived for nearly 2 years.

Soon I will begin anew to write again about my return to Masalli, Azerbaijan. Watch this space for a link to another new blog as I am Inspired to Return.

Every blog post needs a photo so here are 2! Three of my 4 sisters enjoyed visiting mother when she celebrated her 99th birthday on January 24th in Fond du Lac, WI.


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

From AZ to Turkey to Washington, DC

Much has happened since my last post in July. I was in a traffic accident July 22nd while vacationing in Turkey with another PCV. We both suffered broken shoulders and multiple bruises and abrasions, but received very good care at a hospital in Nevsehir and then a hospital in Istanbul.  Photos of black eyes to follow!
Peace Corps has been exceptional in providing care - including both an air ambulance plus the AZ PC doctor accompanied us to Washington DC re: Medevac and all the attendant paperwork.
It seems so many days ago but I am regaining my energy, seeing a physical therapist regularly, and trying to comprehend the impact of what happened. Returning to finish my PC service is on my mind and I am very hopeful that I can return for several months to work with my English teachers at Digah School.

For now, I am learning to accept the care and many kindnesses of others. I have my right arm in a black sling and people have been so sweet to open doors, carry my things, and even tie my shoes. It is not easy to type yet, so my posts will be short and few.