10/21/10
We continue to be busy at the clinic. We saw 16 patients yesterday, which is not a lot for 2 of us for a full day, but they all come at the same time! I asked about making appointments, but that seemed a foreign concept – always first- come first- served. Tom and I are finally getting used to having our patients wait. Some hang around after they are finished anyway, so they don’t seem to mind. Even the toddlers are waiting patiently. Most of the patients arrive by 8:30 or 9:00. We rarely get patients in the afternoon, so we are usually finished by about 2:30.
We are enjoying our patients. We had 5 new patients yesterday, so we continue to grow. I am so glad that I am here for 2 weeks, because I have the same patients coming back this week and I can really see progress. I have one woman who is only 2 weeks after her stroke, so this week she is coming every day. She is very motivated and her family is very supportive. She arrives smiling, works hard, and leaves smiling and is making progress daily. It is gratifying to know that this would not happen if we(Global Therapy Group)were not here providing this service.
I have also had a chance to visit with our host family and our translators. On Tuesday I sat down to talk to the translators about my expectations, etc. and I specifically chose to sit in a low child’s chair. One of the interpreters commented to the others in Creole and they all started laughing. The only words that I understood were “voodoo doctor”. When I asked him about it later he said that I looked like a voodoo doctor because a doctor would always sit in a low chair. Of course I had to ask the question “Is that a compliment or an insult?" He laughed and said “Neither, just an observation”.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
October Adventures - Karen
10/9/10:
The patients have been great. They are very motivated and interested in patient education. We have seen many young, male stroke patients (40s and 50s), lots of upper extremity injuries, a couple of kids with cerebral palsy and a mix of other diagnoses – some related to the earthquake, but not all. One of our patients comes every day. He is an older man who has had a stroke. He comes with his daughter. They are at the hospital all day, every day in the heat, because once they are dropped off, they have to wait until the end of the day for a ride home. Talk about dedication. That is why it is such a pleasure to work with these people. Many of our upper extremity patients have frozen shoulders and extreme weakness due to prolonged immobilization and no follow-up or activity guidelines/patient education. I realized that one of the most important things that I had to do was to tell them that it was OK to use it- simple but critical. Most of our patients are pretty poor – they come with dirty socks and worn shoes, with casts and bandages that are falling apart - but some are working professionals. We have a couple of teachers who are not back to work because their schools are not yet rebuilt. I am glad for the diversity, as I think that will help spread the word about PT to different sectors.
It is a good feeling to know that I am providing care that would otherwise not be available if I were not here. Another great thing is the container of donated supplies arrived from the states about 2 weeks ago, after many months of waiting. There are lots of therapy supplies and equipment, so we are able to give patients theraband, hand splints, walkers, wheelchairs, etc. I had a patient who was elderly with very painful arthritis in her knees. She hobbled along with a cane, but I was able to give her a walker (a rollator so she could maneuver on tough roads)and it made a big difference. We are also able to refer patients for prosthetics or orthotics to a local group. I have also been able to distribute toiletries that were collected and sent via Barbara-Jo Achuff. The patients are so appreciative – we have an instant friendship.
Today we were able to go to an arts festival that was held on a former mill that processed sugar cane. I bought a couple of souvenirs. It was fun to see all the local art – paintings, sculptors, tin work, macramé, etc. What was most interesting, though, was the fact that the attendees were primarily the elite – a switch from who we see at the hospital. Everyone was clean, well dressed and with nice cars – a strange contrast.
The patients have been great. They are very motivated and interested in patient education. We have seen many young, male stroke patients (40s and 50s), lots of upper extremity injuries, a couple of kids with cerebral palsy and a mix of other diagnoses – some related to the earthquake, but not all. One of our patients comes every day. He is an older man who has had a stroke. He comes with his daughter. They are at the hospital all day, every day in the heat, because once they are dropped off, they have to wait until the end of the day for a ride home. Talk about dedication. That is why it is such a pleasure to work with these people. Many of our upper extremity patients have frozen shoulders and extreme weakness due to prolonged immobilization and no follow-up or activity guidelines/patient education. I realized that one of the most important things that I had to do was to tell them that it was OK to use it- simple but critical. Most of our patients are pretty poor – they come with dirty socks and worn shoes, with casts and bandages that are falling apart - but some are working professionals. We have a couple of teachers who are not back to work because their schools are not yet rebuilt. I am glad for the diversity, as I think that will help spread the word about PT to different sectors.
It is a good feeling to know that I am providing care that would otherwise not be available if I were not here. Another great thing is the container of donated supplies arrived from the states about 2 weeks ago, after many months of waiting. There are lots of therapy supplies and equipment, so we are able to give patients theraband, hand splints, walkers, wheelchairs, etc. I had a patient who was elderly with very painful arthritis in her knees. She hobbled along with a cane, but I was able to give her a walker (a rollator so she could maneuver on tough roads)and it made a big difference. We are also able to refer patients for prosthetics or orthotics to a local group. I have also been able to distribute toiletries that were collected and sent via Barbara-Jo Achuff. The patients are so appreciative – we have an instant friendship.
Today we were able to go to an arts festival that was held on a former mill that processed sugar cane. I bought a couple of souvenirs. It was fun to see all the local art – paintings, sculptors, tin work, macramé, etc. What was most interesting, though, was the fact that the attendees were primarily the elite – a switch from who we see at the hospital. Everyone was clean, well dressed and with nice cars – a strange contrast.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Two Months of Challenges and Honors Donna
September and October brought excitement weekly for the Global Therapy Group. Both the good and the bad kind!
On the good side, Jo Ann and Donna were chosen as Alumni of the Year by their alma mater Washington University in St. Louis PT program and presented with an award in September. It was a wonderful honor, but also an opportunity to spread the word about our clinic and the need for volunteers and funding. Donna was excited to fully book our schedule of volunteers for 2010 by mid-Speptember and be able to open up dates for 2011.
The fall has also presented some challenges. A severe storm in late September tore the entire roof off our clinic. Our volunteers then struggled working in the hot sun all day. Thankfully, a PT friend traveling to Port au Prince brought us a new large tarp the next week, but it was then torn off during another storm! Luckily, the tarp was found and will be re-attached soon. Our container of donated supplies and equipment arrived after sailing from Texas, escaping the "black hole" of customs in Haiti, being delivered to the wrong place and lost for 4 weeks, then delivered to our hospital but sent back as it was labeled incorrectly. It finally arrived the day after the severe storm and had to be unloaded in just one day due to all the mix ups. Now cholera is in northern Haiti. We are monitering it closely and hoping it remains contained there and does not spread into Port au Prince.
We are hoping for a few weeks in succession without a crisis so we can begin to recruit help for fundraising, website development, accounting, etc. In spite of all the challenges, our volunteers continue to treat 16 to 25 patients each day and receive new ones weekly. People are improving in their function, have less pain, are able to return to work and are more independent. The volunteers all tell us what makes this an unforgettable experience for them, is watching the people of Haiti rise above all the challenges they are presented with. They are our role models and we know we can rise above our troubles as well!
On the good side, Jo Ann and Donna were chosen as Alumni of the Year by their alma mater Washington University in St. Louis PT program and presented with an award in September. It was a wonderful honor, but also an opportunity to spread the word about our clinic and the need for volunteers and funding. Donna was excited to fully book our schedule of volunteers for 2010 by mid-Speptember and be able to open up dates for 2011.
The fall has also presented some challenges. A severe storm in late September tore the entire roof off our clinic. Our volunteers then struggled working in the hot sun all day. Thankfully, a PT friend traveling to Port au Prince brought us a new large tarp the next week, but it was then torn off during another storm! Luckily, the tarp was found and will be re-attached soon. Our container of donated supplies and equipment arrived after sailing from Texas, escaping the "black hole" of customs in Haiti, being delivered to the wrong place and lost for 4 weeks, then delivered to our hospital but sent back as it was labeled incorrectly. It finally arrived the day after the severe storm and had to be unloaded in just one day due to all the mix ups. Now cholera is in northern Haiti. We are monitering it closely and hoping it remains contained there and does not spread into Port au Prince.
We are hoping for a few weeks in succession without a crisis so we can begin to recruit help for fundraising, website development, accounting, etc. In spite of all the challenges, our volunteers continue to treat 16 to 25 patients each day and receive new ones weekly. People are improving in their function, have less pain, are able to return to work and are more independent. The volunteers all tell us what makes this an unforgettable experience for them, is watching the people of Haiti rise above all the challenges they are presented with. They are our role models and we know we can rise above our troubles as well!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Donna - August in Haiti
Re-entry into everyday life in the US after two weeks in Haiti is always tough. Even after my third trip in four months, it still required some adjustment. I am just finding my feet and voice again three weeks later. And I am enjoying air conditioning more than ever. Haiti is HOT in August. Below are the highlights of my most recent trip and work at the clinic.
Teaching Clifford to play soccer with his new prosthesis. Watching the smile spread across his face as he kicked the ball back to me with his prothetic leg, made all the hard work and long days of the past five months worth it. He sums up for me the reason why this therapy clinic needs to be here and why what we are doing is important.
Watching Judeline dance. A new friend and handsome 20 year old man named Pascal volunteered to help at the clinic the weeks I was there. Judeline noticed him immediately and we asked him to practice walking with her with only one crutch. As the week progressed, Pascal took things a step further. One day he asked her to dance. Pascal is over 6’ tall and Judeline, when she stands fully upright without her walker, is about 5’9”. They looked so elegant gliding across the concrete floor of the clinic. Judeline looked beautiful and had a smile on her face unlike any I had seen before. For the first time in a long time, I think she felt normal. I suggested the next day we walk without even her crutch. She was very hesitant at first, but soon did well. I mentioned at the end of the therapy session that if she was wearing a long skirt or pants and did not have a crutch, no one would be able to tell she even had a prosthetic leg. She’d look like any other teenager. Judeline’s eyes lit up and I could see the light bulb going off in her head. Everyday from then on, she came to us asking for therapy and wanting to walk without a crutch. When my son arrived the following week, she was able to take turns dancing with two 20 year old men each day and her smile grew even bigger!
I treated a new patient with severe hypersensitivity in the nerves of his calf and foot after an injury in the earthquake. It had been several years since I had done any trigger point massage, but gave it a try and worked on him for 20 to 30 minutes. (Much to his dismay I might add, as it was painful!) After only 3 sessions however, the pain that had plagued him for the past six months was gone. He was so appreciative and said he had his doubts about this “therapy” that first session, but now believes!
Watching a dad and his young son with cerebral palsy work with a therapist for the first time. He lovingly began moving his son’s arms and legs through more normal movement patterns at the direction of Lindsey, a therapist from the Perkin’s school in Boston. The look of happiness on the dad’s face, all the questions he asked and the sweet way he smiled at his son told me how happy he was to finally have help. And hope. There were no services available to these children before and word of our clinic has started to spread from parent to parent.
Our volunteers always ask before they travel what items they can bring. The clinic can always use “things”, but I believe now more than ever, that it is our skills as therapists that are our greatest gift to the Haitian people.
We went back to visit Julien and the 100 children he is caring for at his make-shift orphanage. He had told us it was “right down the street” which we have learned is what everyone in Haiti says when you ask where they are located. The walk there is an experience in itself. We took a “shortcut” through the hospital fence, across a small cornfield, along the top of an 8” wide concrete wall, followed by a jump down onto the roof of a broken pick-up truck and a climb down the truckbed to the ground, up a hill, past the town dump and several pigs that had to weigh 500 pounds each, (they seem to be eating well in Haiti even though no one else is!), up a steep hill, past the local beauty salon where a woman sat on the ground and sewed hair weaves into the heads of her clients, around two more corners, down a hill and through a red iron gate. All the children greeted us with a loud “Welcome Global Therapy Group!” This visit we did not bring medical supplies, but instead brought twizzlers, fruit loops, crayons, paper, and rubber balls. I asked all the children to draw me a picture of something that makes them happy or would make them smile. Most of them drew a picture of a house. I guess living in a tent gets old fast. We sang songs, played soccer and laughed a lot. It was a great afternoon.
We discovered Haitian and Dominican rum this trip. The Haitian tastes a bit better, but the Dominican is half the price. Only $1.91 US for a 350ml bottle. Mixed with fresh mangos and juice, it was a great way to end a long hot day at the clinic. A new friend at the guest house taught us we could also mix the rum with a teaspoon of brown sugar and a fresh lime. Also excellent.
I enjoyed having time this trip to get to know more of the Haitian people on a personal level. It was so fascinating to discover all the ways in which we are different and so many ways we are the same. I was glad to have time to see more of Port au Prince. The crumbled buildings and large tent cities, but also the places where life is trying to return to normal. Haitian artwork is back along any open wall around the city in the hopes that tourists will stop by. People are once again busy buying and selling everything you can imagine along the sidewalks. Homemade charcoal, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables, meats, shoes, clothing, cell phones, champagne, beer, soda, sunglasses, watches, fans, plastic tubs, books, pills of any kind, and chickens. Guibson one of our translators was appalled to find out that most Americans would have no idea what to do with a live chicken. He offered to show anyone interested.
I have had many volunteers offer to travel this fall and have nearly all the weeks at the clinic covered from now until the end of the year. Our July fundraiser in St. Louis was successful and gave us enough money to pay the translators, clinic costs and cell phone in Haiti through October. But then the money runs out. Anyone out there want to organize another one? We have applied for funding through a variety of sources, but most of the purse strings in Haiti still appear closed. I am trying to just keep the faith that God will stay busy, and I’ll just keep sending the e-mails.
Donna
Teaching Clifford to play soccer with his new prosthesis. Watching the smile spread across his face as he kicked the ball back to me with his prothetic leg, made all the hard work and long days of the past five months worth it. He sums up for me the reason why this therapy clinic needs to be here and why what we are doing is important.
Watching Judeline dance. A new friend and handsome 20 year old man named Pascal volunteered to help at the clinic the weeks I was there. Judeline noticed him immediately and we asked him to practice walking with her with only one crutch. As the week progressed, Pascal took things a step further. One day he asked her to dance. Pascal is over 6’ tall and Judeline, when she stands fully upright without her walker, is about 5’9”. They looked so elegant gliding across the concrete floor of the clinic. Judeline looked beautiful and had a smile on her face unlike any I had seen before. For the first time in a long time, I think she felt normal. I suggested the next day we walk without even her crutch. She was very hesitant at first, but soon did well. I mentioned at the end of the therapy session that if she was wearing a long skirt or pants and did not have a crutch, no one would be able to tell she even had a prosthetic leg. She’d look like any other teenager. Judeline’s eyes lit up and I could see the light bulb going off in her head. Everyday from then on, she came to us asking for therapy and wanting to walk without a crutch. When my son arrived the following week, she was able to take turns dancing with two 20 year old men each day and her smile grew even bigger!
I treated a new patient with severe hypersensitivity in the nerves of his calf and foot after an injury in the earthquake. It had been several years since I had done any trigger point massage, but gave it a try and worked on him for 20 to 30 minutes. (Much to his dismay I might add, as it was painful!) After only 3 sessions however, the pain that had plagued him for the past six months was gone. He was so appreciative and said he had his doubts about this “therapy” that first session, but now believes!
Watching a dad and his young son with cerebral palsy work with a therapist for the first time. He lovingly began moving his son’s arms and legs through more normal movement patterns at the direction of Lindsey, a therapist from the Perkin’s school in Boston. The look of happiness on the dad’s face, all the questions he asked and the sweet way he smiled at his son told me how happy he was to finally have help. And hope. There were no services available to these children before and word of our clinic has started to spread from parent to parent.
Our volunteers always ask before they travel what items they can bring. The clinic can always use “things”, but I believe now more than ever, that it is our skills as therapists that are our greatest gift to the Haitian people.
We went back to visit Julien and the 100 children he is caring for at his make-shift orphanage. He had told us it was “right down the street” which we have learned is what everyone in Haiti says when you ask where they are located. The walk there is an experience in itself. We took a “shortcut” through the hospital fence, across a small cornfield, along the top of an 8” wide concrete wall, followed by a jump down onto the roof of a broken pick-up truck and a climb down the truckbed to the ground, up a hill, past the town dump and several pigs that had to weigh 500 pounds each, (they seem to be eating well in Haiti even though no one else is!), up a steep hill, past the local beauty salon where a woman sat on the ground and sewed hair weaves into the heads of her clients, around two more corners, down a hill and through a red iron gate. All the children greeted us with a loud “Welcome Global Therapy Group!” This visit we did not bring medical supplies, but instead brought twizzlers, fruit loops, crayons, paper, and rubber balls. I asked all the children to draw me a picture of something that makes them happy or would make them smile. Most of them drew a picture of a house. I guess living in a tent gets old fast. We sang songs, played soccer and laughed a lot. It was a great afternoon.
We discovered Haitian and Dominican rum this trip. The Haitian tastes a bit better, but the Dominican is half the price. Only $1.91 US for a 350ml bottle. Mixed with fresh mangos and juice, it was a great way to end a long hot day at the clinic. A new friend at the guest house taught us we could also mix the rum with a teaspoon of brown sugar and a fresh lime. Also excellent.
I enjoyed having time this trip to get to know more of the Haitian people on a personal level. It was so fascinating to discover all the ways in which we are different and so many ways we are the same. I was glad to have time to see more of Port au Prince. The crumbled buildings and large tent cities, but also the places where life is trying to return to normal. Haitian artwork is back along any open wall around the city in the hopes that tourists will stop by. People are once again busy buying and selling everything you can imagine along the sidewalks. Homemade charcoal, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables, meats, shoes, clothing, cell phones, champagne, beer, soda, sunglasses, watches, fans, plastic tubs, books, pills of any kind, and chickens. Guibson one of our translators was appalled to find out that most Americans would have no idea what to do with a live chicken. He offered to show anyone interested.
I have had many volunteers offer to travel this fall and have nearly all the weeks at the clinic covered from now until the end of the year. Our July fundraiser in St. Louis was successful and gave us enough money to pay the translators, clinic costs and cell phone in Haiti through October. But then the money runs out. Anyone out there want to organize another one? We have applied for funding through a variety of sources, but most of the purse strings in Haiti still appear closed. I am trying to just keep the faith that God will stay busy, and I’ll just keep sending the e-mails.
Donna
Sunday, August 8, 2010
A few journal entries: Jean Peteet Two week volunteer in July
7/8 A 22 young man came for bilat knee pain. Plays basketball- had a PA Strikers jersey on- had gotten hit in both knees. Looked at least like bilat medial strain to his knees. His passion was playing ball. Able to find an elbow elastic support that we turned into a knee support! He was so pleased. He told us how much Haiti needed volunteers from around the world and how grateful he was that we had come. Made me tearful. I told him how beautiful and courageous I thought Haitians were. He seemed surprised to hear that. That’s all I needed to make my day.
7/9 Seeing lots of generalized pain as well as job specific pain. 22 yo taxi driver came with acute low back spasms. Drives a manual transmission all day, old cars, poor support in the car seats. Another young girl, about 18 came in with neck/shoulder, knee, foot pain. Had bilateral flat feet. Has been unable to work. Her job was carrying heavy goods on her head- footwear in Haiti is so inadequate for the work they do. She really needs orthotics or at the least shoes with some arch support. I had brought a pair of crocs; we asked our Haitian speech therapist if crocs were considered fashionable in Haiti and she said no. Not surprisingly, the girl did not like them. No solution for her. A 60 yo woman can in with an old symes’ amputation. She had beat up high top shoes filled with rags to fill the space of her foot. Put her on the orthotics list but it will be a long time before they get to her. Diana Cherry from Mission of Hope came by to pick up some supplies left by Keith, the CPO who volunteered the previous week. She said MH is only able to make 3 prostheses a week. Given that there seem to be only 3 places in the area that are geared up to make prostheses, it’s going to take a long time to get everyone fitted. Many of the amputees are kids, too, and will need ongoing revisions to their limbs.
7/10 Glad that we had the clinic open on Saturday morning; no other clinics in the hospital are open on Saturdays. Two families came in and one woman who cannot come during the week. Henri, the host at the guest house invited us to go up to a high point where there is a wonderful view of the city and we spent the rest of the day into the evening with him and Vincent, his son. His cousin has a beautiful art shop in Petionville where we shopped. From there we went up the mountain and the view was striking. We could see many of the tents, and the density and lack of trees or anything green around port-au- prince was striking. He then took us through the worst of the earthquake. It was hard to look at it. It was like a bombed out city; block after block of collapsed or partially collapsed buildings. It looked like pictures of Germany and London in WWII. Street life has returned and people have set up stands outside the rubble selling bed frames, mattresses, used clothing, candy, used shoes, new shoes, new suits in plastic bags, as well as prescription drugs that Henri said have expired dates. We saw the partially collapsed palace and immediately in front of it is a huge tent city that stank of urine, so much so that we raised the windows. The tents are packed in with no room between and only a narrow path going down the rows of tents. People able to buy charcoal and have a means of cooking apparently cook just inside their tents. In the midst of this chaos, we passed by two wedding parties with people immaculately dressed and it was incredible to see with most of the people, how clean and neat their clothing was, despite the awful conditions in which they live. Henri says that the government wants to tear down the inner city that has been damaged and start over, creating an area for businesses and markets. He is pessimistic that this will happen; often the government starts such projects but never finishes them. Stopped in a grocery store; food and non food items are much more expensive than in the U.S. because the Haitian government has no way of collecting income tax, thus they tax things people buy in the stores. Also, everyone has to buy water and a ½ liter costs $1. There have got to be a lot of people who are chronically dehydrated.
7/9 Seeing lots of generalized pain as well as job specific pain. 22 yo taxi driver came with acute low back spasms. Drives a manual transmission all day, old cars, poor support in the car seats. Another young girl, about 18 came in with neck/shoulder, knee, foot pain. Had bilateral flat feet. Has been unable to work. Her job was carrying heavy goods on her head- footwear in Haiti is so inadequate for the work they do. She really needs orthotics or at the least shoes with some arch support. I had brought a pair of crocs; we asked our Haitian speech therapist if crocs were considered fashionable in Haiti and she said no. Not surprisingly, the girl did not like them. No solution for her. A 60 yo woman can in with an old symes’ amputation. She had beat up high top shoes filled with rags to fill the space of her foot. Put her on the orthotics list but it will be a long time before they get to her. Diana Cherry from Mission of Hope came by to pick up some supplies left by Keith, the CPO who volunteered the previous week. She said MH is only able to make 3 prostheses a week. Given that there seem to be only 3 places in the area that are geared up to make prostheses, it’s going to take a long time to get everyone fitted. Many of the amputees are kids, too, and will need ongoing revisions to their limbs.
7/10 Glad that we had the clinic open on Saturday morning; no other clinics in the hospital are open on Saturdays. Two families came in and one woman who cannot come during the week. Henri, the host at the guest house invited us to go up to a high point where there is a wonderful view of the city and we spent the rest of the day into the evening with him and Vincent, his son. His cousin has a beautiful art shop in Petionville where we shopped. From there we went up the mountain and the view was striking. We could see many of the tents, and the density and lack of trees or anything green around port-au- prince was striking. He then took us through the worst of the earthquake. It was hard to look at it. It was like a bombed out city; block after block of collapsed or partially collapsed buildings. It looked like pictures of Germany and London in WWII. Street life has returned and people have set up stands outside the rubble selling bed frames, mattresses, used clothing, candy, used shoes, new shoes, new suits in plastic bags, as well as prescription drugs that Henri said have expired dates. We saw the partially collapsed palace and immediately in front of it is a huge tent city that stank of urine, so much so that we raised the windows. The tents are packed in with no room between and only a narrow path going down the rows of tents. People able to buy charcoal and have a means of cooking apparently cook just inside their tents. In the midst of this chaos, we passed by two wedding parties with people immaculately dressed and it was incredible to see with most of the people, how clean and neat their clothing was, despite the awful conditions in which they live. Henri says that the government wants to tear down the inner city that has been damaged and start over, creating an area for businesses and markets. He is pessimistic that this will happen; often the government starts such projects but never finishes them. Stopped in a grocery store; food and non food items are much more expensive than in the U.S. because the Haitian government has no way of collecting income tax, thus they tax things people buy in the stores. Also, everyone has to buy water and a ½ liter costs $1. There have got to be a lot of people who are chronically dehydrated.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Donna - I want a magic wand to make all that we need just appear!
Julien, a dynamic man with an amazing smile, came to our clinic with a friend earlier in the week who had a badly infected finger. We referred her to another hospital for care. When he learned what we were doing, he told us his story. He has created an orphanage near the hospital for children who were orphaned after the earthquake, or simply had families who could no longer care for them. He has a two room concrete structure he found, and has set up 2 tents outside for sleeping. He is caring for 100 children from babies up to about 12 years. He said he only has room for 100 to sleep, but wishes he could fit more. He has another 50 children who he feeds when he is able to get provisions but they are on a “waiting list” so to speak to stay full time. He asked if we could come by and see some of the children as many have infected cuts and foot wounds. We gathered a bag of supplies today and walked down several dirt roads, over an abandoned truck, up a steep hill and arrived to the sound of children singing. Julien had the children practice a program of several songs for us, and they announced in their best English, “Welcome Global Therapy Group!!!” We created an assembly line to dress wounds and take note of children who needed to be taken to the free community clinic at the hospital as they were beyond our scope of help. One of the adult helpers had what at first appeared to be an infected pimple on his cheek, but after examination I think it may be a parasite infection. I had no clue how to address that and honestly did not want to try! We handed out vitamins, peanuts and M&M’s, and inflated blue rubber gloves as balloons. The children were all so appreciative and sweet. Julien told us he is able to find money to buy them bread most days, and occasionally rice, but he is struggling. JoAnn and Jane are looking into how to connect him with an aide organization. He is doing this all on his own and said he could not simply walk away from all these children in need. We wonder how many others are doing the same and how many children there are now alone in Haiti.
We discovered several of the “Lost Boys” that come to the clinic are on his waiting list. We have tried to make sure all the boys who visit us each day have a decent pair of shoes and eat at least one meal with us. And we try to “play” each day. Frisbee, volleyball with beach balls, Keep away, dancing. Anything to elicit a smile and make your troubles evaporate for a short time. I think we need it more than they do most days.
When my family comes next week, I will have my daughter visit the orphanage several days to sing and play with them. They are all so pleased to just receive the attention. We hope to come up with some food options at least for the short term. So much need here. We do the best we can and sometimes find we do not ask the questions as the answers are too heartbreaking. The children’s smiles are what keep us going daily.
Donna
We discovered several of the “Lost Boys” that come to the clinic are on his waiting list. We have tried to make sure all the boys who visit us each day have a decent pair of shoes and eat at least one meal with us. And we try to “play” each day. Frisbee, volleyball with beach balls, Keep away, dancing. Anything to elicit a smile and make your troubles evaporate for a short time. I think we need it more than they do most days.
When my family comes next week, I will have my daughter visit the orphanage several days to sing and play with them. They are all so pleased to just receive the attention. We hope to come up with some food options at least for the short term. So much need here. We do the best we can and sometimes find we do not ask the questions as the answers are too heartbreaking. The children’s smiles are what keep us going daily.
Donna
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Donna - Wednesday 8/4/10
Clifford came to the clinic today!!! He received his prosthetic leg yesterday and today was walking all over our clinic with it and his little crutches. Best of all he had a big smile on his face. The sad and traumatized little boy we first met seems to be recovering.
Judeline walked with the assist of only one hand today, without her crutch. She did not do this to impress us as therapists, but because a handsome 20 year old man who was assisting us asked her to try. She just turned 16 and we have learned what motivates her best. We will enlist my 20 year old son next week!
We have had several new patients this week both in the clinic and in-patients at the hospital. They have arrived with various complaints, but asking for exercises to help make them better. Before we arrived, “physio therapy” in Haiti meant massage. Our first week patients arrived asking for massage and we tried our best to educate them about our version of therapy. The word seems to have gotten out now that exercise is what will make you better. Yeah!!!
Donna
Judeline walked with the assist of only one hand today, without her crutch. She did not do this to impress us as therapists, but because a handsome 20 year old man who was assisting us asked her to try. She just turned 16 and we have learned what motivates her best. We will enlist my 20 year old son next week!
We have had several new patients this week both in the clinic and in-patients at the hospital. They have arrived with various complaints, but asking for exercises to help make them better. Before we arrived, “physio therapy” in Haiti meant massage. Our first week patients arrived asking for massage and we tried our best to educate them about our version of therapy. The word seems to have gotten out now that exercise is what will make you better. Yeah!!!
Donna
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