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Today, the Center for Health and Human Rights traveled to one of the schools in our program to do free sports physicals so the students could enroll in sports. The student body of the International High School in Langley Park in Maryland is 100% immigrants and refugees, most of whom are without insurance. “A sports physical costs $80-$100,” commented Dr. Milani​ as we drove to the school. In all, we saw about twenty students, about $2,000 in free services.

In the beginning, the school was a series of trailer classrooms. As the school rapidly grows, they have moved to a larger brick building. School staff led us to some empty rooms which had not yet been furnished, which we converted into stations to take vitals, test urine samples, and run other tests to pass the athletes for sports. Then we began calling students from the hall, bustling with eager young athletes.

I checked their forms as they left the clinic. “Can you give me the answer now?” asked one boy nervously as I checked his papers. “Am I able to play?”
“You’re all set,” I said with a smile, looking over the doctor’s notes. His face brightened, and he walked out with his head high. Then I felt the importance of these exams to the students. To participate in sports is an opportunity to grow, to nurture the personality. Is the need to grow any less essential to these students than to those at any of the other, more privileged high schools in our program?

“This is one of my soccer players,” said Vice-Principal Sass who doubles as the soccer coach, who explained that one of his boys did a sports physical at a minute clinic, which didn’t pass him because of a high heart rate. Then he took a cardio test which showed that his heart had returned to normal, but he would not be able to see his doctor until November to retake the exam and pass for sports.
“Can he take the test with you, or does he have to wait for his other doctor?” Mr. Sass asked Dr. Milani.
“Then he’ll pay another $80,” answered Dr. Milani quickly. “We’ll see him here.” Our doctors never say no.

“Is my heartbeat-friend okay?” asked Mr. Sass with a humorous tone as the boy left the testing area. Dr. Milani approved him.
“Then I’ll see you at practice tomorrow,” said Mr. Sass, patting him on the shoulder.

“I would be happy to see him again at our clinic. Absolutely free,” said Dr. Milani to a boy who didn’t pass the exam and his coach, even offering to drive him if he had no means of transport.

It changes you, watching the selflessness of our staff, smiling widely and laughing fully as they work because using their skills to serve is their element. We are at home with the staff of this school, who also thrive on the joy of giving of themselves to watch others grow. To develop as whole individuals with a sense of their full potentials.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

-Mahatma Ghandi

(Image: Nurse assistant Tinoosh​ prepare’s to take a student’s vitals.)

#healthasright #CHHR