I went to a workshop by the Hemophilia Association of the Philippines for Love and Service (HAPLOS) Foundation, Inc. Before I came, I didn't know what to expect (well, I did expect to learn something). I thought I'd just sit there and listen to long (boring) talks. But it was so much better than that. (Thanks to Frances for letting the opportunity knock at my door). The whole thing was interactive (we get to discuss in groups). Plus there was free food and clipboard ;) . It was fun. I met interesting people (among them the President of World Federation of Hemophilia, who also has hemophilia, Mr. Brian O'Mahony), who were there for a purpose--to give knowledge, support, hope, and to share. I learned things that weren't really in the textbooks. As a future doctor, it is important to empathize with persons suffering from a disease, in this case Hemophilia. The families, friends, the patients themselves, and their stories, all the suffering they go through, how they cope with their condition was touching. I am moved especially by the patients' will to live, the pains they have to go through, by their faith, and by their hope. I thought, in a way, they were blessed because through their disability, (like any other person who suffer, but who doesn't give up), they seem to know more about life than normal people do. It's just a sad reality that they often get discriminated; and they don't get the same medical support from our government unlike their counterparts from rich nations, who get free treatment. If only it were so for our brothers here, that would be one big burden off their shoulders. But for now, we're thankful that they have one community (which I am now a part of) that advocates them. All said, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, I really did.