Abilitations in Kenya

Today was a very special day as we visited Bomet Special Needs Boarding School. We pulled up, after dodging the chickens and cows, and saw an audience waiting for us. What an emotional day it was for myself, Betsy, and Penny. We were all crying by the end and they were tears of joy. I have always known children with special needs saw the world with much more joy than the rest of us. And this translates to Kenya as well. There were 40 children with special needs living in conditions you and I would never be able to make it through. These kids were so happy and joyous. They sang to us and thanked us for coming. We delivered wheelchairs and did wound care checks. Several of the children had open wounds from sitting in the same wheelchair seat without repositioning themselves. So I need to take a moment to thank Tom Powell and Rich Brewer for sending the cushions. They were much needed! Thank you to Langdon Harris for the skin care treatment as we used many pads today to cover up open woun...

This handsome little fella was initially shy but then kept giving me this giant smile. We worked as a team to decide on what walker he needs. There are very limited resources for the children and the ones we have at the clinic we need to keep at the clinic. So, after much chatter and much patience on this little man's end...we came up with this... He needs pelvic support and a sling seat. So, we cut fabric and made him both. He took off walking and was so happy to have his freedom. Exhale...a beautiful moment. We also had the pleasure of meeting Ryan who would do anything for his mama. Again, not much equipment and Ryan cannot sit or stand by himself. Tenweck PT, Solomon, has worked with "Industrial" here to create a stander. The straps above are used on the stander to give gluteal and trunk support. I suggested the theraband to aide Ryan's head control. This cutie was then able to play with his toys in standing...again, giant smile..and that was on the ther...

It has been an amazing trip thus far full of new friends, new adventures, and new ways of life. However, yesterday when we arrived to Tenwick I felt overwhelmed and questioned myself for being here. It was the first night here and we were introduced to the amazing staff. To say I live in  a bubble is an understatement by being here. As the night went on I felt the pull to be in my comfort zone and to be honest I was struggling. Did I make the right choice? Can I really do any good here? Is this worth the sacrifice of leaving so many thing back home for others to do? I woke up this morning and was pleasantly surprised by the amount of American children living here. Two of them have started their own hand delivery coffee company. Yes please! This campus is in the mountains, up at 6,000 feet and it is beautiful. The clinicians and families dine together each night and discuss their cases. We all seem to have a plate of humble pie with each meal after we discuss what each of us saw...

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...