Activist Dianne Mathiowetz Loses Pinky Finger in Cuba
On July 28, 2009, friends of Dianne Mathiowetz, activist with International Action Center Atlanta, received the following news:
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Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. At the beginning of today´s VB work session, Dianne M. had a serious accident and her left pinky was severed from her hand. She was climbing down from the truck used to carry the Brigadistas to our morning work in the fields… The Cubans responded very quickly and she was taken first by truck and then by ambulance to an excellent hospital in Havana.
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(Later that day…)
Sorry for the long delays in giving you an update.
Diane [sic], in her usual display of strength and perseverence [sic], is doing very well.
…Dianne´s left pinkie had to be amputated as well as part of the hand below it. She had originally lost the top 2 portions of the finger (from what I saw) and recovered it. However, the Cuban while they acted very fast to get her to doctors, were not able to reattach the finger.
She had her operations yesterday, and ws [sic] apparently awaek [sic] the whole time and asking the doctor for explanations throughout. Everybody who has seen or talked to her has remarked… on how positive she remains throughout the process, and praises teh [sic] Cuban medical system.
Diane [sic] was ready to return today to the Camp where the VB is staying. However the doctors are reluctant to release her because they worry about the possibility of infection. It is probably for the best, because the camp conditions are not that great. Dozens of the 150 or so people have been dealing with various 24′hour illnesses that are the combination of sun, heat, dehydration and alcohol, and possibly carelessness about food and water source. They will likely keep her 3 nights total.