Dana L. Yeoman, DDS

Dentures and Implants

Epilogue


When I first set foot in the colorful country of Ukraine, I really believed I was going to bless some needy orphans.  Ironically, it was I who was blessed with unforgettable people, memories, and glimpses into a beautiful culture once obscured by the Iron Curtain.  I made new friends among both the children and the adults, sharing precious moments with each of them.  My sheltered American view of the world was changed forever.  I thought that by doing dentistry in a third world country I would change childrens' lives.  I never expected that the life that would change the most would be my own.  

Leaders and visionaries, Vicki and Richard Nelson, have spent a lot of time researching how to best meet the needs of many different orphanages near Kiev.  Believing in the impossible, they sold their dental practice and moved to Ukraine full time so they could build a dental clinic called Smile House, reserved for the children with the greatest need.  Through many obstacles, they built their dream, leaving behind everything familiar in order to adopt to a culture not their own.  This was no easy choice to make, but their hearts cried for these children and that kept them steadily on course.  Despite the setbacks, Smile House is materializing, accepting groups of dentists, students, and anyone else who is interested in coming to help out.  More can be learned about Smile House, the Nelsons, and you can read their own amazing Ukrainian stories online at SmileAlliance.org.

I said at the beginning of this series Richard and Vicki Nelson are my heroes.  They certainly continue to be heroes as they live out their “retirement” to its fullest extent, blessing children and giving people like me the chance to work happily along beside them.  These stories I have written are dedicated to the Nelsons. I wanted to give them an opportunity to see Ukraine through a different set of eyes, and to let them know how much they are admired for their full-time work in an ongoing sea of need.

When the time is right, I will return to Ukraine to see old friends and make new ones.  Hopefully this will give me a whole new cache of stories to share with you who have been so kindly following my writing.  It has been a blessing sharing them with you, and I look forward to doing it again someday.

Be blessed,
Dana Yeoman