Ob-gyn’s story is proof that great things can grow out of life’s losses

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By Daryn Kagan, Contributing Writer 1:30 PM Saturday, November 5, 2011

Losing something is really big. It can feel like you’re losing your whole purpose in life.

Dr. Laura Statchel knows exactly what I’m talking about. She was an ob-gyn doing what obstetricians do — delivering babies. That is until something she would’ve never chosen happened to her. A major back injury in 2002 meant she could no longer do what she was trained to do.

It’s not like she didn’t try to hang onto that old life, as most of us do. She went through a year of grueling physical therapy just trying to keep her old job. One day, she accepted that chapter had closed and went to look for the next step.

That took her back to school and a new degree in public health. What a fascinating journey, as Dr. Statchel headed to Nigeria.

“I went to try and study why so many women in developing countries are dying during childbirth, something we consider a very joyous event in this country,” she told me.

She was appalled by what she saw.

“To my surprise, I saw that hospitals were not guaranteed electricity 24 hours a day, which meant lighting might not be assured during delivery or even during emergency cesarean sections.”

She returned to America with the stories of the horrid conditions. Not surprisingly, her husband, Hal, was the first person she shared with.

Interestingly, her husband has a passion for solar electricity.

“When he saw the issues I was facing in Nigeria, he said, ‘I think we can create a solar electric system to help you out.’”

What a guy! He not only came up with a huge solar system for the hospital, he created a demonstration kit of how it was supposed to work.

“I wanted something I could fit in a suitcase and get through customs without a lot of questions,” Laura remembers.

That’s how the first solar suitcase was born.

Much to Laura’s surprise, that’s the system the Nigerians fell in love with. “They didn’t want me to leave with the suitcase!” she said.

“This small system was able to power walkie talkies so that nurses could immediately communicate with emergency personnel during C-sections. It also provided better lighting for headlamps so people could see what they were doing for surgeries and deliveries,” she explained.

Talk about delivering! The suitcase, along with the larger solar system, helped to drop the maternal mortality rate at that particular Nigerian hospital by about 70 percent over the next year.

Laura tells me her non-profit organization now has 80 solar suitcases in 14 countries. She left this week to head back to Nigeria with 34 more.

I know it’s cliche about one door closing and another opening, but Dr. Statchel is living that story.

Are you facing a big loss right now? I certainly get the sadness. I have been there. And I’ve seen that I was meant for bigger and better. If I were with you right now, I would give you a big hug with a smile. I’d tell you buckle your seatbelt. One incredible ride is probably on the way.

Daryn Kagan is the creator of DarynKagan.com. She is the author of “What’s Possible! 50 True Stories of People Who Dared To Dream They Could Make a Difference.”

Daryn is coming to town

Daryn Kagan will be in Dayton on Nov. 17 for a Junior League of Dayton Town Hall Lecture and Luncheon. For ticket information, go online to www.juniorleaguetownhall.eventbrite.com

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