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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday November 17, 2007 - 3 Saving lives in war-torn Afghanistan By David Lea As even medical personnel are armed at all times, Smith received instructions on weapons safety as hen asked to describe a well as some advice about what soldier most people will she could and could not talk about describe a person who when communicating with people fires a rifle or drives a tank, and yet back home. these are not the only soldiers takGiven that a large number of ing part in the conflict Canada is Afghan people are present on the fighting in Afghanistan. base at any given time, Smith was Between Jan. 26-Aug. 12, also taught how to be respectful of Captain Stephanie Smith, 25, of their beliefs and customs. the Canadian Forces served as a "When you go for a run you can nurse at the main NATO base, not wear something like a sports located at the Kandahar airfield. bra or if you're a man you cannot During this time she saved and take your shirt off to go running lost both Afghan and coalition like you would in Canada, because patients, endured Taliban rocket even though you're on the base, attacks and came closer to the it's about giving them respect," horrible consequences of war than said Smith. any politician or peace activist "There would be busloads of would ever dare to. Afghan men that would drive by After all this, not only did she and I'd be wearing a long-sleeved not regret signing up for the misshirt and shorts and even that still sion, but offered to stay longer got gawks. They weren't trying to when her time was up. be inappropriate, they had just "I don't want to say anything never seen a woman show her legs against Medicare or Healthcare in off in public." Canada, but people really take it After the orientation, Smith for granted and don't realize how went right into the thick of things great it is," said Smith. and observed as the outgoing FAMILY SERVICE: Lieutenant Stephanie Smith and her father Lieutenant Colonel Guy Smith pose in front of a pic- medical crew treated a group of "Most people in Afghanistan ture of Afghan President Hamid Karzai in the Role 3 Hospital located at the Kandahar airfield NATO base. would not have the options for Afghans who had been injured in a half the medical care we get. So, Regular Officer Training Plan, an sports by joining the military's when a spot opened up on a rota- suicide bombing. being in a country where every- idea Smith had never before con- running team, which allowed her tion leaving for Kandahar in "The first day we got there five body is so grateful for everything sidered. people came in with burns. They to compete in events taking place January 2007. you do is just so uplifting and "Even though my father was in all over the world. "The flight there is about three had been in a vehicle and a suicide you're on a constant high while the military, I had never thought "I've been to Barbados, hours and it's hot, you're very bomber blew himself up catching you're there because you're work- of military nursing," she said. Colorado and I've run in Africa thirsty and it's a rocky little ride, this vehicle on fire in the process," ing with a large number of "When I thought of the military I and Europe. So, there were defi- so you get there and you're kind of said Smith. "They all came in with patients. You're constantly learn- thought of groups like the nitely a lot of perks that attracted shaken up and you're sleep extensive burns and we initially ing. There are infantry." me to the military in the first deprived, but the people you're watched the trauma process and new things con- "Most people in watched what The program place," she said. taking over for stantly coming in the job would be would take over While Smith was eager to com- are very recep- "As soon as I graduated, Afghanistan would not and you're conof each nurse." the payment of pete in running competitions, she tive," said Smith. I wanted to go, but the stantly involved have the options for half While Smith Smith's tuition was more eager to put her skills to "Despite the military wants your with new tech- the medical care we get. and the incomfor the remain- the test and do what she could to trip over every- clinical skills to be niques." ing medical team der of her time in help in Canada's mission to body is very excitSo, being in a country developed first. They A former stu- where everybody is so had all their university while Afghanistan, which had been ed and you just dent of T.A. training, observalso paying her going on since Smith was in uni- want to get in don't want you to go to grateful for everything Blakelock High ing how the outan income. In versity. there and famil- Afghanistan and be School, Smith you do is just so uplifting going medical return she would "I wanted to go right away," iarize with the overwhelmed by the began her road to and you're on a constant team handled owe two months said Smith. "As soon as I graduat- equipment that patient load. They want Afghanistan at high while you're there this situation of military serv- ed, I wanted to go, but the military we're using, so you to be prepared." the University of because you are working proved insightful ice for every wants your clinical skills to be we can start New Brunswick for Smith as it month of tuition developed first. They don't want assisting the Captain Stephanie Smith with a large number where her studies showed her how paid. you to go to Afghanistan and be group that's to become a of patients." these nurses Smith agreed overwhelmed by the patient load. already there nurse were frusto these terms, They want you to be prepared." because they're burnt out. After a worked together as a team. trated by high Captain Stephanie Smith "We got to see exactly how they joining the miliAfter three years of training six month tour, they're ready to tuition costs, functioned and of course by the tary in 2004 with Smith believed she had reached come home." which forced her intense medical training in clini- that level of preparation and durBefore she could begin helping end of six months they had gotten to take on two part-time jobs. cal and emergency room settings ing the summer of 2006 she in the hospital, however, there to the point where they worked Fortunately, Smith's parents soon following. requested deployment to were procedures Smith had to go very well together," said Smith. came to the rescue suggesting she During this time Smith was Afghanistan, a wish that was through to prepare for life at the See Combat page 4 apply to the Canadian Forces also able to pursue her interest in granted only a few months later Kandahar airfield NATO base. 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