I had a patient tell me today "you have the love of God in your hands"...really makes it all worth it when you see that you really are helping people. I'm so blessed to be able to come here and experience this.
I'm planning on doing some sight-seeing with a small group this weekend! The only thing that may put a damper on our plans is the rumor that there are going to be "manifestations" this weekend throughout the country. Basically the Haitian people are protesting the government and the rising cost of living. One of the people I work with said that it will just make for some major traffic issues. We'll see I guess...happy Friday everyone!
xo
Friday, September 28, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Day 9: Clinical Observations...
Well I'm really getting into the swing of things in clinic! All I can say is thank goodness for my translator Herold, and also for my awesome charade/acting skills haha. I've learned a few more Creole words too... "escalier" means stairs, "doussma" means slowly, "se bon" and "an fom" are phrases that mean good (that you can apply to just about anything), and "se fini" means all done! Woohoo!
After spending over a week in clinic, I've made some observations about the differences between therapy here and therapy in the US:
I took some pictures of clinic today:
Almost the weekend!! I'll leave you all with a picture of a little visitor that I had...
xo
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| The clinic building! It opened in May |
After spending over a week in clinic, I've made some observations about the differences between therapy here and therapy in the US:
- There are no insurance companies to argue with to justify treatments! This also means that documentation is VERY simple and quick.
- Everyone gets an hour treatment session, regardless of diagnosis. This applies even to those patients that come 45 minutes late, or those that have to wait because their BP is too high or too low.
- You treat the WHOLE PATIENT. This is my favorite part!! It means that when I have a patient with a stroke, I can work on making sure they walk safely with a cane, as well as seeing if they can button a button, pick up small objects, or hold their child.
- Therapy is a family affair. I cannot tell you how many patients come in with at least 2 or 3 family members in tow, all scrambling to help transfer the patient or make sure they're doing the exercises correctly - it's incredible!
I took some pictures of clinic today:
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| welcome to clinic!! |
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| pretty good setup! |
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| the little kid's area |
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| another view, including our "desk area" |
Almost the weekend!! I'll leave you all with a picture of a little visitor that I had...
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| oh hello friend...nice of you to visit me IN THE SHOWER :( |
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Day 7: Baptism by Fire...
Well, today in clinic was the complete opposite day from yesterday! I guess the head PT must be sick of seeing me sitting there not doing anything haha. A patient walked in, she said "here's their folder", and walked away - that was it! Good thing I had my translator Herold tagging along with me all day.
I saw a little 2 year old girl with cerebral palsy, a 54 year old man with a recent stroke, a 70 year old man with Alzheimer's disease and back pain, and a 20 year old boy with a leg amputation from a car accident. I'm loving the variety that the clinic gets here!! I felt much more helpful today, which was a total relief.
On a side note, we managed to find a website to stream the Monday night football game live and projected it onto the living room wall! I feel like maybe it's a good thing that I'm here without football with all of these terrible calls...
xo
I saw a little 2 year old girl with cerebral palsy, a 54 year old man with a recent stroke, a 70 year old man with Alzheimer's disease and back pain, and a 20 year old boy with a leg amputation from a car accident. I'm loving the variety that the clinic gets here!! I felt much more helpful today, which was a total relief.
On a side note, we managed to find a website to stream the Monday night football game live and projected it onto the living room wall! I feel like maybe it's a good thing that I'm here without football with all of these terrible calls...
xo
Monday, September 24, 2012
Day 6: Frustrations...
Yesterday I spent most of the day either reading on the couch or floating in the pool, and feeling incredibly guilty the entire time. I mean, how can I be sitting here relaxing in a country where there is SO MUCH need everywhere you look?! It's frustrating, because I came here with the intent to help and give of myself and make a difference, but right now I feel like I'm doing nothing.
Today was a slow day in clinic - a lot of times the schedule will look busy, but it can be much quieter for a number of reasons. One of the main reasons is that people pay out of pocket for their therapy sessions, so it's a huge expense. Also, it can be difficult for many people to get to clinic, as most have mobility issues and have to take multiple forms of public transportation to get here. Then there's the reasons that we hear in the US too - sick, forgot, didn't feel like it.
I'll start my presentations next week and do 1 a week for 4 weeks, so at least that'll be something helpful!
I don't mean to sound negative, I'm just disappointed and wishing I could be doing more.
xo
Today was a slow day in clinic - a lot of times the schedule will look busy, but it can be much quieter for a number of reasons. One of the main reasons is that people pay out of pocket for their therapy sessions, so it's a huge expense. Also, it can be difficult for many people to get to clinic, as most have mobility issues and have to take multiple forms of public transportation to get here. Then there's the reasons that we hear in the US too - sick, forgot, didn't feel like it.
I'll start my presentations next week and do 1 a week for 4 weeks, so at least that'll be something helpful!
I don't mean to sound negative, I'm just disappointed and wishing I could be doing more.
xo
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Day 4: "Gourdes, souple"
I've been working on my Haitian Creole, but so far the only thing I've perfected is "I don't speak Creole" - "mwen pa pale kreyòl". I guess that's pretty important though!
Day 3 (Friday) was a bit better in clinic. Got to work with a beautiful little 2 year old boy - I can't even explain how sweet and loving all of these children are!! One little girl, who was probably about 6, came up to me on her crutches - she had a below knee amputation after the earthquake. She sat right on my lap and began talking to me in Creole, trying to explain and gesture that she had just been fit for a prosthetic leg. I managed to tell her that I don't speak Creole, and she starting talking SO slowly to try to get me to understand. Even without us speaking the same language, we managed to play catch & hide and go seek.
Friday night was the last night in the guest house for 2 people from MIT who were here delivering wheelchairs that they had designed. We decided to go out for a drink, and ended up at a hotel called Montana. It was further up the mountain than where we're staying, so we had an awesome view of the valley below. Also saw some crazy heat lightening and got to listen to local music and watch people dance. I will definitely be revisiting that place!
Today we decided to go to the supermarket after breakfast to get a few supplies for the week. It's a fairly Americanized market, but with lots of local Haitian touches (including armed guards at all the doors). I grabbed a few snacks, then realized that I only had US dollars. After a lot of hand gestures and terrible attempts at French & Creole by me, the cashier understood that I wanted Haitian gourdes back for change.
1 US dollar is the equivalent of about 40 gourde. I spent the rest of the day reading by the pool and trying to learn more Creole, including "how much" and "I'm sorry I don't understand". Maybe I'll get the hang of it by November...
xo
Day 3 (Friday) was a bit better in clinic. Got to work with a beautiful little 2 year old boy - I can't even explain how sweet and loving all of these children are!! One little girl, who was probably about 6, came up to me on her crutches - she had a below knee amputation after the earthquake. She sat right on my lap and began talking to me in Creole, trying to explain and gesture that she had just been fit for a prosthetic leg. I managed to tell her that I don't speak Creole, and she starting talking SO slowly to try to get me to understand. Even without us speaking the same language, we managed to play catch & hide and go seek.
Friday night was the last night in the guest house for 2 people from MIT who were here delivering wheelchairs that they had designed. We decided to go out for a drink, and ended up at a hotel called Montana. It was further up the mountain than where we're staying, so we had an awesome view of the valley below. Also saw some crazy heat lightening and got to listen to local music and watch people dance. I will definitely be revisiting that place!
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| patio bar at hotel montana |
Today we decided to go to the supermarket after breakfast to get a few supplies for the week. It's a fairly Americanized market, but with lots of local Haitian touches (including armed guards at all the doors). I grabbed a few snacks, then realized that I only had US dollars. After a lot of hand gestures and terrible attempts at French & Creole by me, the cashier understood that I wanted Haitian gourdes back for change.
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| 140 gourde, or $3.32 USD |
1 US dollar is the equivalent of about 40 gourde. I spent the rest of the day reading by the pool and trying to learn more Creole, including "how much" and "I'm sorry I don't understand". Maybe I'll get the hang of it by November...
xo
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Day 2: Wish I took French...
I know Spanish helped me a bit through the halls of Burncoat, but knowing some French (besides kid's songs) would have been soooo helpful today. I spent the first day in clinic sitting there like a jerk! :(
Tomorrow I'm just going to dive right in and use hand gestures and hope for the best. In the meantime I'll try to study up on some "Creole for Healthcare Providers" articles that I downloaded - thank God for the internet! xo
Tomorrow I'm just going to dive right in and use hand gestures and hope for the best. In the meantime I'll try to study up on some "Creole for Healthcare Providers" articles that I downloaded - thank God for the internet! xo
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Day 1: Sweating Buckets
my first view of Haiti!
I've finally gotten settled in Port au Prince! No issues with the flight, customs, or immigrations this morning either, and Gail met me right on time. The drive from the airport to the guest house was definitely an experience - basically it's a free-for-all and whoever's the most aggressive gets to go first. A lot of beeping and a lot of close calls, but we only saw 1 accident so I guess that's a good day! Finally made it to the guest house in 1 piece, "unpacked" a little bit, and got a quick tour of the clinic. The rest of the day has just been relaxing. Here are some pictures for those wondering where I'm staying...
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| Healing Hands Guest House (and Gracie) |
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| living room |
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| dining room |
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| my room |
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| pool area! |
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| view from my window |
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| view of the clinic from the guest house |
I start in the clinic tomorrow - to say I'm nervous would be an understatement. I just hope I can catch on to their protocols and to Creole pretty quickly, otherwise I'll keep feeling like more of a burden than a help. Oh well - tomorrow's a new day, just have to take it one day at a time. xo
Layovers...
Well, after some confusion and flight changes I made it to...Fort Lauderdale. Barely got out of my layover in Atlantic City because of torrential rain and thunderstorms, but here I am killing time in the airport! Mum & Dad saw me off, and the only thing I forgot to pack was a toothbrush! Minor details...
I've had a few instances of "what the heck was I thinking doing this by myself", but overall I'm incredibly excited to start this 2 month journey! I'll post an update once I'm settled in at the Healing Hands guest house.
xo
I've had a few instances of "what the heck was I thinking doing this by myself", but overall I'm incredibly excited to start this 2 month journey! I'll post an update once I'm settled in at the Healing Hands guest house.
xo
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