L.E.A.P.

09/13/2008

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The LEAP (Life Enhancement Association for People) Mission has been coming to Belize for the past nine years. LEAP is a self funded mission that caters to patients with cranio-facial deformities. Patients with cleft lips, cleft palates, missing ears, etc are operated on FREE OF COST. For the past two years, the mission has included an eye team that caters to children that are crossed-eyed, have droopy eye-lids or have an eye defect. This year the mission was from May 7 - 12, 2004 and held at the Northern Regional Hospital in Orange Walk Town.

The 2004 mission has been the biggest so far, with 31 doctors, technicians, nurses and assistants taking part. Sherry Colburn and Dr. Craig Hobar head the cranio-facial team. Members, family and friends of the Rotary Club of Orange Walk host the Leapers in their homes. The Rotary Club also ensures that the team is well fed and entertained during their 5-day mission.

The team begin arriving on a Thursday to prepare the OR. The rest of the team arrive on Friday and immediately begin evaluating patients and making a schedule. A few hundred people normally come for evaluations. Surgeries are performed on Saturday and Sunday. On Monday some of the team head back to the USA whiles those that stay head to the Cayes (islands) to relax in the beautiful Caribbean Sea. Belize is home to the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world and makes for a wonderful vacation experience. Most of the team then return to the USA on Tuesday.

Below are a few pictures of this year's mission. Click on the images for a bigger view.