Sunday, November 29, 2015

Updates!! Lots of Updates!!

So much has been going on here in Haiti. I will do my best to provide a “quick” summarization on all the amazing things that are happening.

Therapy
To date, 51 children have been evaluated. On a weekly basis ~40 children receive one-on-one therapy. The parents of these children are regular participants of therapy sessions. This has allowed for education and provision of home exercise programs. It is amazing to watch the transformation of the majority of these parents – initially, many come in with a flat affect or are in tears because they have been told so many times that there is no hope for their child. BUT as therapy goes on, their demeanor changes completely – we now see smiles and hear laughter. Parents are now excited to learn ways to help their child and are often eager to complete activities within the home environment. Time after time, parents now tell me how happy they are and I see a sparkle of hope in their eyes. This is what keeps me going. Each time I turn to God and say “thank you”.

In order to allow an increase in patients, two employees have been hired. We now have a Haitian Physical Therapist who received her degree in the Dominican Republic and a Haitian Rehabilitation Technician who received her degree in Haiti on staff. Both are AMAZING!!! We have been able to complete all evaluations and all one-on-one therapy without the need of a waiting list.  We also have a little room for growth, which is reassuring, as we do not want to require a waiting list! I have personally been so extremely blessed by both and continue to be in awe of the ways God provides.

Supplies and equipment have poured in. We are extremely blessed by the continued support. We have a supply of orthotics and tennis shoes that can be adapted to best fit each kid in need. We know have equipment such as various sized therapy balls, a treadmill, exercise bikes, mini trampoline, and toys/games. This has allowed for a variation in treatment strategies and activities and the kids have thoroughly enjoyed all the new, exciting stuff!

NEW BUILDING!!!! After much prayer by so many, 2016 will be the year that construction on a building for therapy services (PT, OT, and mental health/counseling) will begin. No date has been set and funding still needs to be fully raised; however the process has begun – we have full faith that God will provide. This is exciting in so many ways. The mental health program will now have a place of its own – and it will provide a PRIVATE and safe environment for one-on-one counseling sessions as well as space for group therapy. PT and OT (hopefully one day speech therapy as well!) will have a larger space to work which means more kids can be seen and it will allow for groups to happen such as group therapy, educational sessions for parents and staff, and hopefully, one day, educational sessions for the community. All of this also means that, in the future, more Haitian therapists could be employed. A new building means more children achieving independence, more people improving their mental and spiritual health, and more job opportunities. This is HUGE!

Child Sponsorships
Child sponsorships for therapy patients have begun. Sponsoring a child is just $30 a month. This funding will allow for testing to be completed (xrays, labs), surgeries to occur, and financial assistance for families to help with transportation to/from therapy. Funding will also help with purchasing needed supplies/equipment.

Support Groups
Just recently, in conjunction with the mental health program, support groups have begun. One support group is for the parents of children who are receiving therapy. A second support group is for those parents who have children in the special needs classroom at Respire Haiti. These support groups not only allow for parents to get to know one another and develop a support system amongst them, but they provide education on specific diagnoses. Education is highly needed, as many myths and beliefs surrounding disabilities exist in Haiti, which place a negative view on not only children, but also adults who have a disability (more on this in a future blog). The support groups allow a safe environment, free of judgment, for parents to be vulnerable and ask questions. The groups provide a place where God’s love and grace and mercy are shown. The parents are hungry for this!

FSRL and HAOT
The first ever OT program began in October of 2015. The FSRL is the Faculté des Sciences Réhabilitation de Léogâne. This program is within the Episcopal University of Haiti and includes a 4-year Occupational Therapy degree program. Until October, there were NO occupational therapy degree programs available within the entire country of Haiti. The rehabilitation field is lacking and is almost non-existent in Haiti. In a short 4 years, the first EVER Haitian occupational therapists will graduate from a university within their own country. This is HUGE for the country and for the further development of rehabilitation services within the country. And this leads to the HAOT…

The first ever OT association in Haiti has been developed. This is beyond exciting – for the profession of OT as well as for Haiti. Haiti is now recognized by the ACOT (Association of Caribbean Occupational Therapists). We have elected officers for the executive board, developed the constitution and by-laws and are well on the way to be accepted and recognized by the WFOT (World Federation of Occupational Therapy). The association currently includes 5 members and 1 honorary member – it was determined that there are currently 6 full-time Occupational Therapists working in Haiti, only one being Haitian, 3 from the states and 2 from Chile. This exemplifies the NEED for occupational therapy within the country. The HAOT will further the process to get the OT program accredited by the WFOT, which would be AMAZING!!! Prayers for this are appreciated!!

Special Needs Health Fair
October 6th marked the first ever special needs health fair in the community of Gressier. The fair was hosted at Respire Haiti; however individuals from 6 different organizations came together to organize and run the fair. The day of the fair, 47 children received full therapy evaluations, were seen by physicians, and were able to enjoy many educational and fun booths (hand washing, nutrition, therapy ball use, fidget station, bible study, coloring, etc).  For hours, these kids received nothing but love and parents were given hope, some for the first time. It was a blessing to witness.
October 7th and 8th served as follow up days where children came to HHM (Haiti Health Ministries) to receive any needed equipment. Over the 2 days, 8-9 buckets chairs were fabricated, over 15 standers and walkers were constructed, and MANY pairs of orthotics were fitted. So many children have now reached a new level of independence that parents never imagined possible. The highlight of the 3 days was definitely witnessing these families leave with nothing but happiness beaming from their face after entering with no hope, no smiles, and no laughter. A little glimmer of hope can change a person’s entire life. God continues to amaze us all as He continuously provides for the most vulnerable – children with special needs.

Construction of Equipment
Respire Haiti therapy program was blessed by receiving all the left over supplies and all tools after the special needs health fair. With these donations, all current therapy kids have been able to receive bucket chairs, Haitian adapted chairs, standers, and walkers. So many families have been blessed by receiving this much needed equipment. So many children now have more independence within the home environment. I have had the pleasure of beginning to teach the rehabilitation technician and physical therapist how to utilize the tools and how to construct the equipment. They have been thoroughly enjoying learning this new skill. Recently, we have begun teaching a therapy patient how to measure and cut the PVC pipe as well as glue the pieces together. This teenager, a 15-year-old boy, is now learning a new skill and has loved every minute. His smile says it all – and again, I am in awe of God’s work here.

Special Needs Classroom
Currently, Respire Haiti’s special needs classroom is operating out of the medical clinic. This is not the ideal setting for a classroom especially for a special needs classroom. The GOOD news is 2 brand new classrooms are in the process of being built. In January 2016, the children and teachers will move into their new space. They could not be any more excited. Change is coming and these children will now have their own space and will receive the education that they deserve. The teachers will now be able to use their skills more efficiently. In addition to the new classrooms, a second teacher’s assistant has been hired and will be starting in January 2016. This assistant is one of the mother’s of a child in therapy. We have been praying for another assistant and God brought her to our attention many times. She displays the compassion, love, patience, and understanding that is needed to fill this role. We are beyond blessed!!


Whew! That was a lot…however there is SO much more to stay about each thing! I will continue to do my best at providing updates. 2016 is bringing so much change and we are all so grateful for God’s provisions. He is at work here on a daily basis! His love, mercy, and grace never go unnoticed.  

(I will post pictures SOON…internet is not cooperating right now)


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