Today was one of the most emotional days I have had so far on this trip. Meredith, Ruby, and I started the morning early because we all wanted coffee before our busy day began. We first went to Crumb and Coffee, but unfortunately it was closed. We laughed it off and decided to try Starbucks instead, only to find out that it was closed too. At that point it felt like the universe did not want us to have our drinks. Luckily, Boston Tea Party was open and it ended up being the perfect place to start the day. I ordered an iced matcha latte and Ruby and I shared a biscuit with jam and clotted cream. I honestly liked the clotted cream much more than the jam because it was rich, sweet, and tasted so unique compared to anything I have had at home.
After breakfast, we headed to BCU for a presentation given by Chinenye about female genital mutilation, also known as FGM. The talk was extremely informative and emotional at the same time. I learned that FGM is a cultural ritual that dates back to ancient Egypt and is not tied to any religion. It is practiced in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, and currently around 230 million girls and women alive today have been affected by it. Hearing that number was shocking and heartbreaking. Chinenye explained that FGM has absolutely no health benefits and instead can lead to severe physical and emotional problems. Some of these complications include painful menstruation, urinary tract infections, pain during intercourse, and difficulties during childbirth. The practice is often connected to preserving a girl’s virginity or controlling female sexuality. She emphasized how important it is for healthcare professionals to understand FGM so that we can recognize warning signs, reduce stigma, and care for patients with empathy. There are four different types of FGM, all varying in severity. I also learned that FGM has been illegal in the United Kingdom since 1985, and it is also illegal to take children out of the country for the procedure and then bring them back. In the United States, laws vary by state. Healthcare workers are mandated reporters meaning suspected cases involving children must be reported. There is also a worldwide goal to eliminate FGM completely by 2030. The presentation reminded me how important education and advocacy are in healthcare.
Later in the day we visited Birmingham Children’s Hospital, which was one of the most impactful experiences I have had so far. We first learned about the hospital system and found out that the hospital has 22 units and 364 beds dedicated to pediatric care. After that, we were taken on a tour throughout different parts of the hospital.
One of the most emotional parts of the visit was learning about the Magnolia Rooms. These rooms were built entirely through donations and fundraising. They are designed to give families a peaceful and comforting place to spend time with their child before and after they pass away. The rooms did not feel like hospital rooms at all. Instead of bright lights and clinical furniture, they felt warm, homey, and comforting. Families are allowed to spend up to four hours with their child after death, giving them private time together to grieve. It was both beautiful and heartbreaking to see the amount of care that went into creating these spaces for families during such devastating moments.
We also visited the chapel and spoke with the chaplain. He explained how he supports families from all religions and also those with no religion at all. The chapel itself was beautiful and peaceful. One of the saddest parts was seeing two trees covered with notes from families saying goodbye to their children. Reading the messages was heartbreaking, but it also reminded me why I chose to study nursing and healthcare. Compassion and emotional support are just as important as medical treatment.
Afterward, we toured the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, or PICU. I noticed that unlike many hospitals in the United States, the patients were not in separate rooms. Instead, the beds were separated by curtains. Each patient had one nurse assigned specifically to them throughout the day. We also spoke with nurses from gastroenterology, oncology, general pediatrics, and PICU about their specialties and experiences. One thing I found especially interesting was the hospital hierarchy system. Nurses wore different colored bands and scrubs to show their level and role within the hospital. The darker the scrub color equals the higher the rank. I thought this was really interesting because hospitals in the United States do not usually have such a visible system.
After leaving the hospital, Ruby, Meredith, and I decided we needed some retail therapy after such an emotional day. We went to the mall and explored stores that only exist in Europe, and I ended up buying a cute top. To finish off the night, we grabbed Mexican food at the train station before heading back. It was the perfect ending to a long day filled with learning and more unforgettable experiences.