Sometimes just as you are feeling defeated, feeling hopeless, God proves otherwise. We have a young 12 year boy who has severe scoliosis. He is growing. He is getting heavier. His scoliosis is getting worse. He is unable to sit, unable to walk, unable to talk, unable to move most extremities. His breathing is becoming more difficult. His mom has to carry him everywhere. His mom is amazing. His mom is full of nothing but love for him. His mom is worried. She is worried that she will soon not be able to carry him for much longer. At the same time, he is happy and she is happy. The love these two have for each other is illustrated every time they come into the clinic. The smiles they share are priceless and heartwarming.
But one thing still remains……
He needs a wheelchair. He desperately needs a chair where he can sit and engage in his environment. He needs a chair so he can sit instead of lay all day long. He needs a chair so he can breath easier. He needs a chair so he can enjoy life even more than he already does. He needs a chair to relieve a little stress from his mom. He just simply needs a chair.
Below is a chair we have that we could adapt for him…
Could we adapt it to better fit his needs? YES. Would it be the most functional? NO. Will it be the best option for him? NO. Will it be done quickly? NO. But what are we to do with limited resources? One thing that is certain is that we pray and we pray. We ask others for help. We do not lose hope.
Well friends…prayers work and this story proves this fact.
Many nights were spent contacting organizations within Haiti as well as stateside organizations. After many sleepless nights and hitting every road block possible (many organizations have either never given chairs to Haiti or have stopped distributing chairs to Haiti for one reason or another), I was slowly beginning to think that we were in for the challenge of adapting the chair in the above picture. But something in me continued to say wait…so I told the other therapists, “give me another week” (and I may have said that more than once…..). After a few good friends stopped by before leaving Haiti, prayers were answered. Becky Harding, also known as “the connector”, happened to have contact information for an organization who distributes wheelchairs all over the world. And YES, they still distribute chairs to Haiti. Side note: Becky met someone involved in this organization at the airport two years ago (I think she said 2 years…I could have it wrong?). It just goes to show how important any and ALL encounters can be. So after Becky sent me the contact info, I looked at the organization’s website. I found that they will be doing a distribution of chairs in Haiti….but not until January. My first thought, “he needs a chair before January”. I emailed the contact person and then checked my email MULTIPLE times afterwards that night. The power finally went out so I was able to get some rest…no power = no WiFi = no checking email…the one time I was a little happy the power went out, ha!
The next day, I checked my email as soon as the generator was turned on. No reply. So off to work I went. Checked my email at lunch. No reply. Checked my email after work. Still no reply. (I am typically a fairly patient person….but I was not patient at all this time). Checked my email after dinner. A REPLY!!!!! Long story short…the person who replied sent my email to those who stay in country and said that they MAY be able to get a chair prior to January, but no guarantee and then stated that someone should be contacting me soon. So I waited again. But this time, I didn’t have to wait long. Once morning arose, I had an email waiting for me in my inbox. I clicked on it…and there it was…they HAVE A CHAIR!!!! So this week, on Friday, after 6 weeks of waiting, I will be heading with the mom and the child to Port-au-Prince to get him fitted for a wheelchair. Please, please, please pray that all the logistics work out on both ends and that we can get safely to Port-au-Prince. Pray that no delays in the process occur. And please check out the organization that is DONATING a chair to this family. Joni and Friends at www.joniandfriends.org. Under the tab “Our Ministries” click on “Wheels around the World” and you can learn about what they do. It is an awesome organization that definitely keeps Christ in the forefront. Nothing is impossible through God!!!!
Below are a few pictures of him (with moms permission)….I wish these pictures captured his personality because he is truly an amazing young man!
This weekend is the annual fundraiser for Haiti Medical Missions of Memphis. Annually, they hold a 24-hour run - Tour d'Esprit. Each year they ask a volunteer to write a tidbit about his/her time in Haiti to put in the program for the event. That means, this year, it is me as I am currently the only volunteer from the U.S. So I decided to post what I wrote as I know many people are obviously not attending the 24 hour event. Again, I had a hard time finding the right words to type to capture the life and work here, but I was able to write something. I am honestly not sure if HMMoM ended up using all that I wrote or just took bits and pieces of it to put in to the program. Read below.
A day in the life at the clinic…
It is 8am. The door opens and the patients start coming in. Some have been waiting for an hour others are just arriving. Appointment cards are gathered, charts are pulled, classes begin, and one-on-one therapy starts. As the morning continues on, 4 patients arrive for therapy per hour. Five to twenty more patients are seen for class. The therapists see smiles and they see tears. Another patient with high blood pressure on the verge of a stroke or a patient who still cannot produce a movement in the leg or arm. Each and every patient with a story and with a goal. It is now twelve…time for lunch. Oh, but wait, documentation is a must and a few adjustments on a piece of equipment must be completed. Lunch can wait a little while. It is now one o’clock. Time for more patients to come and more therapy to be completed. More exercises, more problem solving, more measurements are taken for another wheelchair, more function to be gained. It is now 3 o’clock and the last of the ten patients seen in the afternoon leaves as goodbyes are said. Time for more documentation and cleaning up from the day…..
From a volunteer’s perspective…
As I look out the window of the clinic, I see patients arriving for therapy. One of the other. Some are walking, others are on motos. Some walk into the clinic independently, some with a cane or a walker, and others are carried in by a caregiver. Often times as I look out, I see frowns and struggle. But those frowns and struggles are quickly turned into smiles and hope as the patient crosses the threshold into the clinic. The struggles, the tears, the pain, the fear intertwines with the laughter, the strength, and the progress that occurs within the four walls of the clinic. The patients may present with dark eyes rested upon worn faces, but their smiles are beaming and their spirits are bright. They fill the clinic with a sense of pure joy and happiness on a daily basis.
Hope. Joy. Relief. Fun. Each of these is a common theme daily. Hope that one day, function will be restored and work can resume. Joy comes as each milestone is reached. Relief arrives as a caregiver learns he does not have to carry his loved one again. Fun happens as therapy activities are completed.
The facts…
The rehabilitation clinic continues to service individuals from Croix-des Bouquets as well as surrounding areas. The clinic provides therapy services to adult and pediatric patients of varying diagnoses including, stroke, arthritis, orthopedic issues, developmental delays, cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, etc. Overall, since May 2014 slightly over 120 patients have received therapy and countless have attended classes. Currently, on a daily basis 20-30 patients are provided one-on-one therapy during 60 minute sessions. In addition to one-on-one therapy sessions, 4 days a week various classes are offered to the adult patients and anywhere from 5-30 patients attend each class. These classes include stroke class, blood pressure class, arthritis class, exercise class, weight loss class, and back pain class. One day a week, a class on child development is offered to mothers of babies 0-12 months old followed by a quick evaluation of each child to assure proper development. Furthermore, the clinic now has an amazing workshop that allows the therapists room to adapt wheelchairs, make seating systems for kids to sit independently, and make adjustments to orthortics, among many other things. Not only is therapy completed and equipment developed within the clinic, but education plays a big role and not just for the patients. The clinic is a site for rehabilitation technician students from a university in Haiti to complete clinical rotations. Additionally, there is currently an occupational therapy student from the United States completely a three month clinical. Spreading the skills and the sustainability to future rehabilitation workers.
I have been horrible at updating my blog. I apologize. I promised I would keep the updates coming, but it is truly hard to find the rigt words to say. Every time I sit down to write…I find myself quickly defeated. I start a sentence. Then I erase that sentence. I start another. Then erase that one too. On and on this goes. Then eventually I give up. There have been many experiences that I could share. But written words would not do them justice. Written words just are not enough sometimes. Or at least my written words. My written words do not always capture the whole picture so pieces are left out. Missing pieces are never good. And then there are those experiences that I selfishly want for myself. Just for me to laugh over or to cry over. Just for me. Again, it may be a little selfish, but I want some things from this journey to be just for me.
But I will do my best to provide an update. Some of this may be a repeat.
Clinic life…
It’s tough here though. It is tough to watch yet another mother have to carry her son/daughter because there are no wheelchairs. It is tough to hear that a child lays on the ground or in a bed all day and night because he is unable to sit independently and there are no available seating systems. It is tough to see another malnourished child. It is tough to watch a mom break down in tears out of fear that her son will never lift his head or sit up or walk. It is tough to see sadness on a women’s face after a stroke. It is tough to listen as another adult tells about how she can no longer work because of her stroke. It is tough. There is limited equipment. There are limited supplies. And this clinic has A LOT for being in Haiti. But I cannot help but to flash back to my old job. I picture all the equipment we had available for children to try out and use on a loaner basis…and I think about how much access we have to equipment in the US. It is hard to know that just 2 hours away there is a world that has everything. Just 2 hours.
At the same time, nothing is better than seeing a smile on a face of someone who received orthotics that were adapted from a donated pair. Are they the best? No. The most functional? No. But helpful? Yes. Appreciated? Yes. Nothing is better to see a smile on a women’s face when she moved her arm for the first time after a stroke. Nothing is better than hearing endless laughter out of a little girls mouth after weeks of screaming and crying. Nothing is better than witnessing milestones being achieved. And nothing is better than the smiles and the hugs and the laughter and the friendships.
Life outside of the clinic….
So what do I do when I am not in the clinic?
Well….after work a few us enjoy a good work out (although we have MISSED many workouts). Most of the time we do Insanity….which is definitely hard to do in this heat as we workout outside. Occasionally we enjoy a short moto ride to the Epidor where we indulge in a “snack” before dinner….and last time we had the pleasure of watching Tarzan. Yes, it was being shown on the TV there…it was in french, but who doesn’t love Tarzan in any language. Sometimes we walk to a small market and other times we enjoy a snack from a street vendor (don’t worry the food doesn’t make us sick). We have dinner around 7 and then we just hang out outside (inside is too hot) and enjoy each others company (there are 3 of us volunteers living on the compound). We talk and we do work for the next day. We sometimes play cards and other times we sit in silence.
On the weekends, MariaElena and I typically venture out. MariaElena is another volunteer who has been here for 7 months….she is my interpreter, my tour guide, and most importantly a good friend. We occasionally go to the Chileans house (a group of volunteers from America Solidaria). But we usually explore Haiti via moto rides and tap taps. We meet people. We get to know the culture. We enjoy the Haiti life.
It is still hot…although the nights are getting cooler. I tend to get a little cold if it drops below 80. Sometimes we don’t have power. Sometimes we don’t have internet. Occasionally we don’t have running water. But there is no place I would rather be right now….I enjoy the slower life. I enjoy the new friends. I enjoy the culture. I enjoy the people. I love Haiti!
Written August 31st
I have sat down many times to write an update. But all those times I draw a blank. I just cannot seem to find the words to express the past month. Yes, a month has already gone by…actually it flew past as if I went to bed one night and woke up a month later. One month past means I have 3.5 months left of my stay in Haiti. So now that I am sitting here sweating at 10:30 at night, I thought it would be a good time to write an update. It is hot…like it is back home…but here there is no air conditioning and sometimes no fans (but really the fans only blow the hot air at you faster, ha!)…I am literally dripping in sweat and all I am doing is sitting on the internet listening to some awesome music. Nothing that typically results in perspiration. But that is life here and I truly wouldn’t have it any other way. I will enjoy every drop of sweat if that means I am still in Haiti….
I am loving working with adults! Something I never thought was possible - me working with adult patients. But I will be the first to admit that they are just as much fun as the kiddos….although I still really look forward to treating the kids…and the kiddos will always be my favorite! I do not really know how to sum up the past few weeks at the clinic.
Things that have not been the easiest….watching a mom hit their child - it just isn’t right and that will never get easier to witness and it is extremely frustrating that I do not know the Kreyol words to say to explain to the mom that hitting your kid is not okay. It will also never get easier to see a child bringing a child to therapy…and then watching the two children sit for hours waiting to be picked up only to end up having to walk a long walk home (not to mention that the child has to carry the other child). It never gets easier to see a patient cry tears of frustration and lost hope….and all I can do is communicate through touch and a few words that they may or may not understand. It never gets easier to see a child or an adult who desperately needs a wheelchair when none are available. Or to see a child who needs surgery when you know surgery isn’t possible for one reason or another. It simply just does not get easier….
What does get easier? The relationships. Even with the differences in languages, the relationship building is easier. Communication does not always occur in spoken words. You can still love people without talking and people can still love you. The patients now know me (well at least most of them) and we are able to laugh (and sometimes cry) together without ever speaking a word. The people in the community now recognize me and speak to me as I walk by or ride by on a moto. If they come into the medical clinic, they are the first to say “bonjou, koman ou ye? “ (“hello, how are you”) with a big smile on their face. The kids know run up to me to greet me instead of looking at me from a distance yelling “blan”. Another thing that has gotten easier, is treating with minimal equipment. The clinic has a ton of equipment in comparison to most places in Haiti, but it still has a lot less than what I am accustomed to. But treating patients has become easier and I am blessed to be getting my creativity back. Some patients are harder than others and there are times that I feel like I get in a mode of doing the same thing over and over again…but I think that happens everywhere at times.
As I am enjoying the clinic and getting more comfortable with the adult patients, I still ask the question “what is God’s plan for me here?” What does this clinic need from me? What does Haiti need from me? What does this community need from me? All of these questions are left unanswered, but I truly believe that I am not supposed to know the answers to these questions yet. In HIS time, the answers will come. In HIS time. I just have to be patient and I just have to listen. One thing I do know that it true…I love Haiti more and more as each day passes by…..
Originally written 08/10/14
Okay, I now have a little time to provide a more detailed update.
Week one summary:
The therapy clinic set up is organized. There are 4-5 patients scheduled per hour (one patient per therapist) and 1-2 class a day that have varying numbers of attendees. The classes include back class, stroke class, weight loss class, exercise class, and arthritis class. Luckily these classes are not strictly educational as I cannot speak fluent Creole...rather they are active classes to teach proper exercises, body mechanics, etc. I am definitely out of my element with treating adults...I find it fun; however it is a true struggle. Shifting mindsets in treatment has been hard. Wednesdays are strictly for pediatric patients (some kids are seen on the other days as well). The kiddos I have seen so far have been pretty low functioning...a lot of kiddos who cannot yet sit, hold their heads up, talk, crawl, walk, etc. On occasion I do find myself struggling to provide the best therapy...partially because I am used an environment that has EVERYTHING and now I am in an environment that has little (but a lot for being in Haiti!!). I have quickly realized how dependent I was on equipment to do therapy rather than simply using my hands and my brain. The state of the art equipment is awesome, fun to work with, and can produce things that my hands cannot; however using my hands to facilitate movements and function is far greater here than most equipment. With my hands, I can teach the parents (or caregivers...or siblings...or neighbors) exactly what to do with their hands at home. There is no access to any kind of equipment for in home use for the families (with the exception of some walkers, wheelchairs, and homemade sitting devices...and some donated orthotics...and some access to make splints [like I said...A LOT for Haiti]). Due to malnutrition and just a lack of education, many babies and young kids are way behind developmentally so teaching the families things to do at home is vital. I had always said that I would never become dependent on equipment, toys, and other materialistic items...I guess I just didn't realize that I was already somewhat dependent on such things. And it is definitely harder to provide the best therapy when there is a communication barrier...I am impressed with how well the patients are at "charades"! I am sure I give them all a good laugh!!
Luckily, through my broken Creole and my seemingly lost therapy skills, the patient's and the other therapists have been extremely patient with me. The patients we see are amazing and I continue to see difference among the Haitian culture versus the American culture...
The patients, regardless if they are medical, dental, or therapy patients will wait patiently for their turn to be seen. Some will sit all day (literally) just to be told the clinic is closing and to come back the next day even if they had a scheduled appointment (sometimes emergencies or situations arise causing schedules to get behind)....just imagine if this happened to us in the US...if we waited ALL day with a schedule appointment, then we were not seen and told to come back the next day - we would most likely be very angry and most likely put a post on Facebook telling everyone about our experience and to never go to that office. But here...the patient kindly gets up, says thank, and then comes back the next day...often with a smile on their face. Yes, sometimes you can see the disappointment; however they never get angry (that I have seen yet anyway).
The patients we see are ALWAYS thankful and never forget to tell us how much they appreciate us...regardless if they had to wait or if they were only seen for 1/2 their scheduled time or if attention was taken off of them for a minute because someone else needed help. The patients typically come in with a smile on their faces even if it is a forced smile. But you can see the struggle in many faces. Some you can see sadness. Others you can see lost hope. Through the smile, if you look into their eyes, you can see the struggle (just imagine having a disability in a country like Haiti...it's tough on the patients and families). I often find myself thinking, "I really wish I could speak Creole...I know he/she has a story to tell". A story of struggle intertwined with joy and happiness....a story that deserves to be heard.
The pace of life here is also much different. It is slower...more focused on relationship with others than a "to do" list. An appreciated, but hard change of pace. I am the type of person who prefers to be busy than sit around. I love making "to do" lists and love checking things off even more. I like to be on-the-go, all the time. But I have been trying to slow down and enjoy the precious undeserving life that God gave to me.
All in all, I am still trying to find my place in the clinic....and still trying to figure out God's plan for me here!
***footnote/prayer request - I now have over 20 mosquitos bites....even though I have been applying DEET like crazy (which is really bad for me!)....prayers that Chikungunya doesn't strike and if it does that I get through it quickly!
Sorry for the delay in updates...having issues with internet and currently have very limited access. I safely arrived in Haiti on Saturday morning with no complications and all luggage in tow. I spent Saturday unpacking and getting somewhat settled. Sunday we joined a group of 25ish Italians and headed to a beach relatively close to here. Of course it was beautiful and it was a wonderful "welcoming" to Haiti. Started in the therapy clinic on Monday morning. The language barrier is occasionally tough; however there are a few therapists that do speak English and are able to translate for me when needed (evaluations are difficulty the hardest). Working with the adult population is tough...there is a lot of treatment strategies that I need to revisit....praying that my ability to effectively treat this population improves drastically. Thankfully ALL the patients are extremely patient with me and very kind in my lack of expertise. Tomorrow is pediatric day so I am really looking forward to clinic...hopefully I can finally be successful within treatment sessions.
Unfortunately, this is only a quick update as I want to get it posted before internet goes out again....
I will be posting more info SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I finally have a moment to sit down and provide a quick update. I will be flying to Miami on August 1st, then I will be off to Haiti early morning August 2nd. Once in Haiti, I will be heading to Croix-des Bouquets to begin working at the Saint Charles Rehabilitation Center. I will have the pleasure of working with both adult and pediatric patients with various diagnoses including failure-to-thrive (malnourishment), strokes, birth injuries/defects, orthopedic issues, etc. In addition to seeing these patients, I will also be involved in wheelchair adaptations and adaptive equipment. Then, in September an occupational therapy student from New York will be traveling to Croix-des Bouquets to complete her 3 month clinical rotation. I will serve as her clinical instructor for the duration of her clinical. In addition, I hope to be able to visit a few other ministries/organizations while in Haiti (financials pending).
As for the present time, I am currently living with a good friend/coworker. She has been gracious enough to open her doors to me and my craziness. I am still working; however my last day is July 3rd. I will be heading to visit with family and friends during my remaining time in the states.
Looking forward to seeing what God has in store!
