Well...we have only 1 more day of working here in Vietnam and then on Saturday, the 11th, Amy and I will travel back to San Francisco. She will head off to Chicago later that night and I will stay with my sister, Leah, for the night, traveling back to Omaha on Sunday, the 12th.
The past 2 days have been very busy, but really fun and rewarding ~ watching the Physiotherapists problem-solve with me what to do for treatment for a variety of kiddos with cerebral palsy, seizures/epilepsy, arthogryposis multiplex congenita and other neurological impairments.
The kiddos have been terrific and have done really well tolerating me, as I look very different than anyone they have ever seen. I've gotten lots of high-fives, some thumbs-up and a little conversation with a few kiddos in English too. I have been seeing 4-5 patients per day ~ about 60-90 minutes with each patient ~ and then have been presenting various lectures to the Physiotherapists and one Pediatrician each afternoon. My 'working plan' laid out 1 lecture per day while working with their staff, but yesterday and today, there were topics that came-up during our patient evaluations, so I have been writing an additional 2-3 short lectures each day during our 'rest time' following lunch. We get about 45 minutes to 'rest,' and the department's staff also rest during this time. They turn down the lights and everyone rests.
We have been very deliberate this time asking parents if they mind us photographing and/or videotaping their children and actually, we have had quite a few who have asked us not to take photos. We want to be respectful of their wishes, so I have less photos than in the past, but here's a few to share with you.
This little charming lady is nearly 2 years old and presents with global developmental delays. She is working on sitting independently and standing with support. I talked with the Physiotherapists about trying to build her a gait trainer, which is a supportive walker that has a seat to allow her to be supported, but also to walk, as she has that potential, but will need support. Her mom was lovely too and it was great meeting them.
This little lady is 2 1/2 years old and has cerebral palsy, as she was born quite prematurely. She was very spunky and loves her local PT, Huyen. She is working on standing with support too.
Deep discussion among the Physiotherapists. They are very engaged and smart. It's fun to work with them all. They take everything we discuss seriously and ask terrific questions.
This little guy is 17 months old and he has a diagnosis of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, a condition in which more than 2 joints of the body are fused or contracted. This little guys arms were primarily involved, as well as he has some issues with his legs, but as you can see, he can walk. He was so charming and smart!
If he lived in the US, I would get him a power wheelchair and he would drive himself everywhere he wants, but a power wheelchair here in Vietnam costs about 5,000,000 VND (about $220). Now, to many of us, this doesn't seem like a lot of money, but here, this is SO much money.
His father built these wooden platforms and integrated them into this little walker for his son. he also took this walker, the hospital's, home and built his son a walker that he can use there. So, we discussed how, between his dad and the hospital staff, they might be able to find a way to give him mobility beyond walking. He is so smart!
Here's him in action...go kiddo go!!! He's a champ! This walker adaptation is brilliant!
This little lady is 5 years old and has cerebral palsy. She had a lack of oxygen to her brain at birth, causing her impairments. She is working on walking with her lower extremity braces and forearm crutches and did so well with these with some help from her therapist. She was very engaging with me and gave great high-fives and lots of thumbs-ups!
The cyclo parking lot + pictures of the plans for the Pediatric Hospital #1's future.
Like at Children's in Omaha, there are pictures drawn by various children up/down the hallway in the Rehabilitation department. I liked this one a lot.
An important sign to find in all hospitals.
This is an 7 year old boy with diplegia cerebral palsy. He was social and spoke a little to me in English, as well as could count to 10 in English. He has difficulty controlling his body in a sitting position, as well as when he walks, he utilizes momentum, rather than good control, so we played a rousing game of "red-light, green-light" to help him be able to stop his body and maintain a static standing position, as well as did a lot of other exercises together. He was fun with which to work! And...I loved his glasses...a lot!
Tonight, we met up with our International Extremity Project team for a delicious and fancy dinner at an Italian restaurant in District 1. It was great seeing everyone again and always is sad to say, "see you later," to these folks. I feel so lucky to be a small part of this big team and enjoy the friendships ~ both old and new ~ I have from these travels and mission trips! Here's a smattering of pics of the people.
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| Flecher and Devon...they are off to Bali now for 10 days of relaxation! #jealous |
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| Jean, Noah and Jeff |
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| Bobby, Amy and me |
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| Kim, Jenni and Bruce |
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| Jisun and Jenna |
Off to sleep now. Tomorrow will be another good day, I'm sure. We will work a full day and then the hospital staff will host a party for us, which is a tradition and is always good fun. Almost time to go home...a sad thought and happy thought...both at the same time.
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| Inside the front gate of Ma Maison...the light and the flowers caught my eye earlier tonight. |
xoxo
Stacy
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