Documentary

I watched a very disturbing documentary on the children affected by the Chernobyl meltdown in 1986. The people having children since that time in the contaminated zone and the outer edges have suffered severe genetic damage. The result is an exponential increase in tragic, inoperable deformities and a phenomenon called "Chernobyl Heart". Chernobyl Heart can be remedied by surgery and a gortex patch which costs $300.00. Surgery is highly unlikely though, unless international doctors intervene. In each village there is an abandoned children's home where these little ones are left to suffer with no activity or love. The worst part is that there is no end in sight. The effects could last for generations because the soil in highly populated areas like Minsk is still highly radioactive. Teens and young adults are highly likely to get a number of cancers just from the berries they eat. I don't know what my purpose was for writing this. It isn't very inspirational but it did make me think more strongly about living with intention and making the most of my opportunities. We are so blessed that sometimes we can't even see it without a drastic contrast.

Comments

[Chuck]

My grandfather's family lived in that area. He sent money back as often as he could to help out. My stepgrandmother lived relatively close when it happened. She was in her mid-30's at the time, and lost the ability to have children. When she came to the U.S. she freaked out when she couldn't find apples with worms (an indication that it isn't radio-active). I'm surprised there haven't been more studies of that area in reference to long-term effects of radio-activity on people.