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-Welcome.

I'm Rose Martin, and we are Write Around The Corner in Clinchco, Virginia, with Sister Bernie Kenny and Tauna Gulley.

Their book, "Better For Being With You": A Philosophy Of Care, is about the health wagon that was founded in 1980 by Sister Bernie, with a mission of providing compassionate, quality care to the people across Central Appalachia.

There's a line right in the beginning of the book that I think summarizes things for our conversation today: "Caring is not always curing, because curing, it may not be possible."

But for some way, they certainly find a way to do both.

Welcome, Sister Bernie and Tauna.

Thank you so much for being on Write Around The Corner .

-[Bernie Kenny] Thank you, Rose.

-Thank you for having us.

-We're happy.

[Rose] Oh, well, you've done so many great things.

And before I get to the health wagon, I want to go back to young Sister Bernie growing up in Boston, right, an Irish girl who's decided she's.

Did you know right off the bat that nursing and health care was going to be a part of your future?

-Well, I did know about health care, but I wasn't too sure about joining the Medical Missionaries of Mary.

But I'm very grateful that I did because I've had a wonderful life and visited, lived in four countries, and learned so much.

-So is it true when you first were investigating to become the Medical Missionaries of Mary, you went by yourself to see about joining and you didn't-- family didn't have a car then, and they actually called your dad to come get you?

-Yes.

That was so.

-[Rose] Oh, that's true?

Okay.

-Imagine you're 18, and somebody calls your parents to come pick you up.

That was not a good move.

[laughs] -So he wasn't very happy on the way home either, huh?

[laughter continues] -He wasn't.

He wanted to know how did I get there, and what was I doing?

Because I wasn't able to say what I was thinking about at that point of time.

Because in our family, if you say you're going to do something, you've got to follow through and I wasn't determined enough yet.

-Oh, you weren't sure it was gonna be for you.

-[Sister Bernie] Yeah.

Yeah.

-So when you made the decision, did your family go with you?

-Yes, they did.

And they were very supportive.

And over the years, all of my family have visited me here in Clinchco, and have helped run fairs and do things together.

And it's been a blessing.

-Well, you know, sometimes people have a preconceived notion or a visual picture of what a nun is going to be, or a sister is going to be.

So was that very different for you coming here to, um, Appalachian Virginia, that they said, "Well, you're Sister Kenny, "you're not what I have-- Sister Bernie-- "in my mind about what a nun is supposed to look like?"

-Even for my family, our acquaintance was with the nuns in school, who wore strict habits and were very distant.

Medical Missionaries of Mary are informal and really get down to the nitty-gritty of life.

So that's-- that was a change for them.

-Right.

And I'm sure that was wonderful for people to see and get to know you because your work, which Tauna has told beautifully in this book, your work has been about being hands-on with all of the people in the community.

So, wind me back, we go to get training in Ireland.

And then, we're in Tanzania for a few years, right, about ten years.

-Yeah, five years in Tanzania, and five years in Ethiopia.

-And, there were some very different customs.

And you went on a little journey with someone.

What's that story?

-We had a nurses' training school and one of the students, her dad had died suddenly.

And it was the custom that she would go for the funeral, but it was hard for her to go alone.

The traveling would be two days, and I was chosen to accompany her.

So I was excited to get out and get a couple of days off work.

But we went and I asked her about her dad and everything, but she-- I didn't know what I was going to meet.

The whole village came out to meet us and they welcomed us.

And then I said, "Well, we need to speak with your mom."

And we went to her family area, which was separate, a little bit out of the main town.

And that's where-- their custom was to be, the body would be buried inside the house.

They would dig a hole and bury, so the spirit would not be wandering around, lost.

And that is a beautiful thing to think of, you know.

It was the respect for the father.

But I wasn't ready.

I was dressed up in my best white uniform and white veil and white shoes.

And the clay there was red, thick clay.

And the sunshine was brilliant.

But when I went inside, I went "Poom."

[laughter] I was down in the hole.

-Oh.

-And people were chanting around and I was so frightened.

I was throwing dirt up to get noticed.

-So no one saw you fall in because they were still outside.

-They were still outside.

-Oh, and so you went in.

So was the hole empty, or was the body already there?

-The body was already there.

[Rose] Oh.

-And I was stepping on the cloth that was-- the body was wrapped in.

And her brothers were very courageous.

One came down and helped me and the two boys lifted me out of the-- it was a miracle.

I don't know how it happened.

But it was-- I was out quickly.

And.

but it taught me a very important lesson to ask more questions.

-Well, I had never even heard of that, that particular custom before I read it in your book.

-Me neither.

-Yeah.

[Rose] Never had any idea about that.

-It's just in one section-- -[Rose] It is?

-of the place.

-So your journey then brings you, by the late '70s, to Central Appalachia?

-That's right.

In 1978, Bishop Sullivan invited us to come to Dickinson County, which had a very high infant mortality rate.

And we came, three of us came together, and we had, uh, an orientation of "See It, Do It."

[chuckles] "Make It Happen."

[laughter] -Very short orientation, and you hit the ground running.

Right.

-It was a wonderful time because we had to depend on our neighbors.

We lived at the edge of a coal camp, and we had to walk each day to the post office.

So we visited with our neighbors as we went.

And they got to know us and we got to know them.

And everybody has an accent.

We think we don't.

[laughs] -Sure.

Sure.

-We didn't always hear what people were saying, and they told us later they did not know what we were saying.

-Oh really, they were just shaking their head and listening to you.

You know.

-It was English, but.

-Right, true, it was English.

With every place that you've been around the world, um, what are some of the similarities and differences?

And I know you spoke a little bit about them in your book with Tauna.

What are some of those similarities and differences?

-People want to be recognized and respected.

Just to.

pass the time of day makes a big difference.

To spend time with people, ask about their kids, that kind of thing.

It's the same all over the world.

Family is important.

Even the ones who may not be there.

And when you meet somebody that you've been hearing about for four or five years, it's like, wow.

-So how did you two meet?

How did this relationship come to be, that you found out about Sister Bernie's story and thought this story is really something, and more people need to know about it.

-Well, my first remembrance of Bernie, when I was-- in 1992, I finished nursing school.

And I finished in May, and I think in April, she came to the hospital, which was Saint Mary's Hospital, and she said, "Tauna, I'm looking for a nurse.

Would you want to come and work on the health wagon?"

And at that time, I worked in intensive care.

I said, "Oh, no, Bernie, I would not want to work on the health wagon, I'm in intensive care.

I'm making a difference here."

Little did I know.

-Right.

That your world was gonna turn upside down.

And let's see, the health wagon actually started out as a VW Beetle, right, Sister Bernie?

That you were driving around a VW Beetle?

And then I think you told me a story that the-- one of the initial health wagons, you could only go in reverse?

-That's right.

[all laugh] The transmission went out and I had to go in reverse four.

miles.

I was so stressed.

-I read a quote and I want you to tell me if it's true.

"I believe God calls me in the way" to serve with the health wagon, "in a number of people that I can help along the way."

So, do you believe that that's been your mission through this in order to answer God's call to reach the people of Appalachia?

-That's very true, Rose.

I believe that people call forth in us what is needed at the time.

It's not us going out, able to give something.

It's the connection with one another.

We, together, make something happen.

That's what it's about.

And it's healing.

Everybody in the world needs healing, and the healing is in love.

-And you are, you almost have an ICU on wheels.

Right?

Because you're traveling around and like we-- I know, like, Tauna, in your book, the poverty rate is 70 to 140 percent higher than in the rest of Virginia.

Chronic unemployment, heart disease, diabetes, COPD, struggles with substance abuse, addiction, depression, and infant mortality.

So it truly is the things we see in an ICU, and instead, you're-- you're driving that health wagon around, providing services.

I think what I found really fascinating was the importance you put on the family connection before you could treat someone.

And there was a story in your book about the man with a toothache.

Right?

-[Sister Bernie] Yes.

-And how all of those things went together.

So, have you really found that you need to almost treat an entire family?

-That's right, a person, no man is an island.

And one of the biggest needs here has been dental.

And the Virginia Dental Association has helped us immensely through RAM coming.

RAM is Remote Area Medical, it's health fairs that are done in rural areas.

We have volunteers give their services for a weekend.

And people come in, and we've had in Wise, over 2,000 patients.

-And you were one of the first, I believe, in 2014.

-Yeah, yeah.

-One of the very first.

And that wasn't only the first of the RAMs in that clinic because in 2015, the first FAA-approved drone medication delivery, part of what you were doing with the health wagon, the first telemedicine bladder cancer.

-Yes.

-Amazing.

And when I think about the numbers of things that have come into play in order to make this health wagon so successful; obviously you, and having the will and the desire to really want to help the people, help-- be in a place that you could, that you could actually offer services and to give compassionate care.

Is there something else?

-We've been blessed by the people who have stepped up and offered their services.

No person can do it alone.

It's only when we make a team together that things can happen.

-So Tauna, I can't imagine when you had this idea, you're thinking, "Okay, I've got to get this story down."

But I want to know, I'm curious.

First of all, how did you come up with a book, and how on earth did you convince this one to do it?

-It was very difficult, Rose.

Very difficult.

For quite a few months or a couple of years before we even started the book, when I would say to Bernie, I'd say, "Bernie, are you writing your book?

You know, you need to write down your experiences and your story, you know, it's invaluable."

"I'm working on it, Tauna.

I'm working on it."

So in 2017, I had the opportunity to travel to Ireland.

And Bernie got a lot of things arranged for me to see the Medical Missionaries of Mary, and to go to the Motherhouse in Drogheda.

And when I went there and spoke to all the sisters that knew Bernie, and you know how it is when you have a child when you go visit family?

-[Rose] Mm-hm.

-"Where's the baby?

Where's the baby?"

Well, only thing I was asked, "Where's Bernie?

Where's Bernie?"

"Bernie's not with me.

I'm sorry.

There's no Bernie."

[laughter] So when I returned to Clinchco after that trip, I said, "Bernie, we are writing your story."

And so we did, and that started in 2017.

And she was agreeable.

You know, pretty, uh, you know, a little bit, kinda, but we were able to manage it after two years.

And we did put that piece together.

-Well, and that process had to be fascinating to revisit all of those stories again, you know, and I could just see you in the health wagon behind the coal trucks, going up and down these mountains, and the people and the lives that you must have touched.

How on earth did you figure out which stories made the book and which stories stayed as just a piece of your heart?

[Sister Bernie] Well, we talked with the people in the stories and got them to agree.

And we spent time.

It takes time.

And in coming to agree to write the book, I felt uncomfortable to be open, to share things that nobody else knew about.

But also we got the people whose.

the story was about, to tell it themselves, in their words.

And that makes a big difference.

-Hearing it right from the-- hearing it right from their words.

[Sister Bernie] Yeah, yeah.

-I heard you say that "It's not about pills.

"In most healthcare, the emotional part is ignored.

"Healthcare is social.

It's a way of identifying what's inside of a person."

-That's true.

In preparing for meeting with you, Rose, we asked ourselves, "Did we really write this?"

[laughter] It was like a self-revelation.

-[Rose] Mm-hmm.

-And during the time when a lot of this stuff was happening, we didn't have time to reflect or to put it on paper.

And now, having retirement and being able to reflect, and the desire that people value what's going on right now and hold on to it, and make it happen over and over again, is what motivated me to.

-Well, you know, and you've written so many grants, and you've gotten so many other people involved in the process in order to help the people of Appalachia, from the drug companies to, you know, the Appalachian Regional Commission to.

I can imagine you driving the health wagon, knocking on doors, writing letters, being the greatest salesperson of compassionate care for all of the people here.

I don't think anyone could say no to you, Sister Bernie.

[laughter] -Well, no is not acceptable.

-I know.

Okay, I'm just gonna put that down right now.

No is not acceptable.

-We'll talk some more.

-[Rose] Okay.

We'll come in another day and we're just gonna revisit this.

How would you like me to phrase it for you, right?

I love the health wagon's mission statement: "To provide compassionate quality health care "to the medically underserved people "in the mountains of Appalachia.

"Our values are inclusiveness, community outreach, collaboration, spirituality, and empowerment."

And I think when people hear "Sister Bernie," and think of it as a nun, and yet believe in the spirituality of what you convey with the interconnectedness of people and family.

I'd love to hear you say, she said, these are your words, "Very often, I hear people call upon Jesus "to give them strength, "and that strengthens my own faith.

"But it doesn't matter what church people attend, "or even if they go to church at all.

We all have the same God."

-That's so true.

And it's broadened my understanding of God.

When I first became a nun, it was read the office.

Now it's creation.

It's what's happening right now.

Here, as we sit together, that's the real Jesus, the life.

"I have come that you may have life.

Life in its fullness."

That's what God told us.

And it's the desire to share that love and share that life with others.

And it doesn't matter if you have money, or if you have big houses or any of that.

It's-- it's the essence.

-Mm.

Well, the light is definitely coming through the two of you.

Would you be willing to read something for us?

-Sure.

-Yeah.

[Rose] Tell me what you've chosen.

- We've chosen from the, um, advice for providers to stay revitalized, to be resilient, to grow in that resilience for themselves and for their clients.

-So we have a bullet of practices of self-care that have worked for Bernie, and we bulleted those, and they're from chapter eight, page 129.

And the first one is "Immersion in loud music.

"Close the door.

"Fill the room with loud music.

"Move.

"The music can be jazz, classical, rock, "or whatever works for you.

This helps synchronize your brain by removing the static."

-And I almost laughed when I read that part.

Carol and I talked about it and said, "Sister Bernie, what?

Did we really read that about turn up the music really loud?

Whatever kind of music it is, and put yourself in there?"

Beautiful!

-The movement is the best part though, Rose.

-[Rose] Okay.

-We had to get up and move during the writing of this book.

[Rose] Oh, so you did it?

-Yes.

-[Rose] Okay.

-We would sit for.

-These are proven.

-We would sit for hours.

We said, "Bernie, we got to move."

"Bernie, turn up that music."

We moved.

-"Engaging in another culture "helps one to have a broader perspective "from which to prioritize how to continue the journey.

"A short-term experience in another culture "might mean the weekend with a family member who lives in a different part of the county or the state."

Just getting out of town, being with different people, that really works.

-"Cleansing one's environment "of excess paper, clutter, and other stuff "allows new ideas to emerge.

"Get rid of the things that weigh you down.

If you're not using it, get rid of it."

-That was interesting too.

And I reflected on that, thinking, "Okay, clutter, there's-- there's extra stuff there."

And how much better do you feel when things are clean?

-Yes.

-And finished, right?

-Yeah.

"Mindfulness: "Exercise of emptying the mind, emotional body, "works to allow one to experience more fully "the energy of new experiences.

"Do not fret about things you have no control over.

"Get rid of expectations.

Experience the now with a clear vision."

-That's really beautiful.

Mindfulness right now with every situation.

Not thinking about the future or not trying to wind back the past.

-Yeah.

-Are you sure these weren't for everybody, and not just these practitioners to write these for?

-They are for everybody.

-[Rose] Right.

-I think so.

-They are for everybody.

They're for within us.

[Rose] Right.

-Our minds travel so much back or forward.

But if we can stay here right now.

[Rose] Mm-hm.

-"Choose to be conservator of your life, "body, and resources of time and energy.

"Prioritize activities.

Choose wisely with consequences in mind."

-"Routine helps us ensure that we will get the job done.

"Therefore, establishing routines of regular exercise, "adequate sleep, proper nutrition, "and answering email to keep correspondence up to date are valuable."

-"Be a team player.

Trust that others will fulfill their role."

-"Don't micromanage."

[laughter] "Instead of thinking 'I always did it this way' "or 'I'm too old to learn,' "stay curious, explore new ideas, "go to conferences, "and include new ideas in your bag of tools.

All things are possible."

-"Give yourself the support of community."

That's a gift to yourself.

"Relate the reality of life with peers.

Understand yourself and others with compassion."

-"Freedom is an inside job.

"Use driving time to de-stress.

We need to own our darkness and our own light."

-"Honor the painful pieces.

"Beyond pain is delight.

"Welcome with curiosity, explore the cause of pain.

Is it ourself or others who causes us pain?"

-Mm-hm.

These are worth reading over and over again, aren't they?

-They are.

-And you've included reflections at the end of every chapter, which I think are really helpful too.

-Yes.

-Yeah.

To discover your own purpose in life takes all the uncertainty out of it and just go with it.

And be willing to take the risk.

That's what it's about, especially, and volunteering is a way you can try it out.

-And you took risks over 50 years ago.

-Yeah.

-And changed the lives of so many people right here in Appalachia.

My special thanks to Sister Bernie Kenny and to Tauna Gulley for sharing their work and the health wagon with us.

I can only imagine the adventures and travels along that health wagon that they could share in a much larger volume of this book.

I was touched by her line "Making a difference in Appalachia is always a privilege."

And from one of the storytellers in the book, "Sister Bernie treats you like family "because you are family.

"She takes no credit.

She gives all glory to God, the divine healer."

I'd be grateful if you tell your friends about the show.

Catch us online for more of our extended conversation with Sister Bernie and with Tauna.

And until next time, I'm Rose Martin, and I will see you Write Around The Corner .

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Every day every day Ev ery day every day every day ?

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Every day I write the book ?

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Every day every day Every day ?

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Every day I write the book ?

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Every day every day Every day ?

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Every day I write the book ?