Blog Post Day #2
We started off our day breaking into two groups...we dropped Cindy, Dana, Lori, and Craig at Alida España and Paige, Kori, Charity, and Ashley headed to Mama Carmen's.
Alida España is a school for children with special needs. In the morning, our group gave a presentation about how to know the difference between sensory and behavioral difficulties to the staff of the school and some of the students' parents. They were given techniques and real life examples on how to address these issues. We then broke into small groups and each therapist led small group discussions while Craig worked on a set of twins wheelchairs. Craig was able to make custom cushions to provide improved postural support for both boys.
At Mama Carmen's, we were greeted by familiar faces, Cesar and Merlin, and quickly made lots of new little friends. We were able to fit some kiddos with Beniks and orthotics and educate the caregivers on good positions for the more involved children. We also did lots of language development activities with lots of kiddos.
The group was reunited at Alida España where a wonderful lunch was prepared for us by the children. In the afternoon, each discipline paired up and evaluated 15 students. We were able to demonstrate therapy techniques and give equipment to the therapists that work at the school. Only a PT or an OT would cry over a scooter board and quad canes! We also got to work with parents and provide them with home programs.
When we were packing to come to Guatemala, Lori and Charity found in our donations, two sets of tennis shoes that were so specialized that we almost didn't bring them. Each pair of shoes had one shoe with a lift. God threw us a surprise party this afternoon when two children came to us today that both needed a shoe with a lift! The shoes were the perfect size and had a lift on the side that needed it!!! Only God could provide that!!!! The smiles on the faces of the kids and parents made all our hurdles the past two days worth it!!!! On a side note, our equipment specialist, Craig Evans, 22nd anniversary is today. Happy Anniversary.
Gautemala Day 1
We arrived at the airport on time with all 16 suitcases, 8 wheelchairs, and 6 walkers. Our first hurdle was when the airline recommended that we use a competing airline on our next trip after seeing all of our equipment. The second hurdle started off not so bad with $200 in extra baggage fees.....and then Craig showed up with a 113 pound crate that cost $400. The third hurdle was the pilot informing us that we would have 20 minutes of turbulance that lasted 3 hours until we landed in Guatemala City. With the hurdles behind us, we emerged to find beautiful weather and Leo and Juan's smiling faces. Once we loaded the van down with all of our equipment, we went straight to The Learning Spot. The Learning Spot is a facility that our dear Guatemalan friend, Diana, created with the help of her friends and family to provide services for children who desperately need therapy but cannot afford it. We were welcomed with a delicious lunch and personalized painted pictures given to us by the kids.
After our lunch at The Learning Spot, we divided into three TEAMs and went straight to work for the next four hours. Some parents traveled via bus for two hours to come to see us. We saw each child with their parents. They were all eager to learn and appreciative for any information and equipment that we could give to them. We were able to give two wheelchairs, orthotics, beniks, a walker, games, oral motor tools, and developmental toys to these sweet children.
Our fourth and final hurdle, happened as we were trying to leave the Learning Spot. We experienced more turbulance when our van required a push start to get started. Leo and Craig pushed the van full of all of us girls and all of the equipment and thankfully after 2 huge "clutch" starts, Tio Juan got it going!
We finished our evening with a gracious hostess here in Guatemala CIty, Anita, and another delicious meal. Tomorrow half of the group will be headed to an impromptu visit at Mama Carmen's Orphanage while the other half will be speaking to parents and teachers at a local school for children with special needs