Today we hit the ground running as Fridays are special needs clinic day. I asked in advanced what that means and what to expect. I was told mothers travel for up to 6 hours and line up to to see the Physiotherapist. On most Fridays only one PT, Solomon, sees up to 30 kids in 3 hours which is maddening. Today we had one OT, one PT, one peds PT,one aide, and Solomon on stand by. At 9 am we thought, this isn't so bad and then we saw them. Mothers walking up to the clinic in African style which is to say these mothers carry their special needs children on their backs in long wraps tied tight to hold the child in. I am talking teenagers with cerebral palsy, on their mother's backs, for hours upon hours. Wow, wow, wow. It was like nothing I have ever seen before. These mothers are dedicated with a triple !!!! So, we spent time listening to them, talking to them, and doing what we can to help. Again, thank you to the vendors who sent supplies. The Faith Fund that supports this clin...
Dear families, friends, and most importantly my babies and kiddos I take care of... I am off in a few hours to Kenya with a full heart and full suitcase. This trip has been a year in the making and I could not have gotten here without the help of many people to include: My life support and business partner Jennifer, it is a huge sacrifice for me to leave for this long. In addition Abilitations has provided a great many resources for this trip to happen. Robert Walters, BioTech orthotics, has provided a lot of supplies for the Faith Clinic there. Tom Powell and Rich Brewer, Powell Medical, have donated seat cushions for children in need of pressure relief. Brent Wright, East Point Orthotics, for his assistance and guidance on what is needed for my journey. Thank you to the generous donations from families and friends that I have worked with to make this journey possible. I also thank you for your patience in my absence and my running around like a made woman for the past 6 months t...
As we were all ready to wrap things up and patted ourselves on the back, in walks a mother holding her 4 day old infant. If you have been reading my blog you can maybe see a theme here. What do we all need to be on the same side? What do we all need to be part of a larger team? Not on our high horses? If you are in the States, and I know this from personal and professonial expereince, getting a team together to talk from different speciaities is alsmost impossible. Here at Tenweck this has been one of my favorite things. So, what does it take to put us all in the same "vehicle" ? Apparently a 4 day old missing missing both of her radial bones. The room was filled with 5 orthopedist, four therapists, a neurosurgeon, and a peds team. None of us knew what to do at first, none of us spoke the language, but none of us wanted to leave. In the end we sat in this room with the 4 day old, Abigael, with this family for several hours. So, thank you Abigael for bringing us all toge...
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