Day 3:
Another early day for TEAM Guatemala! At 4:30am, our drivers picked us up in Guatemala City. They loaded up the bus and the truck and we headed to Campur. We saw the beautiful scenery Guatemala has to offer during the 6.5 hour windy, curvy, mountanous trek. We were grateful that no one got sick during the ride. Our drivers treated us to the local radio stations during the entire trip. We had lots of dance parties and karaoke opportunities.
We were able to set up evaluation areas in the indoor soccer facility in Campur. Craig was able to immediately fix a wheelchair for a little boy and give away several pieces of equipment. We wish we could have had more equipment; the need was greater than the supplies. For one person, he made a cane because all of the canes had been given to others.
Many of the people that came to see us today had never received medical care. One of the young ladies is in a desperate situation. We directed her to a doctor and will follow up on her tomorrow. It was difficult to see some of the conditions and not have a quick solution to their problem or something to help them.
We met a 10 year old boy who had fallen on a machete at the age of 4 and lost his right eye and had left side weakness. He received a splint for his hand and a brace for his foot. He received a pair of shoes and was able to tie his own shoes with one hand. We were so fascinated with his ability to do this with one hand, we asked if we could video it.
Cindy was able to work with a 17 year old young man who is hearing impaired. He uses a few signs that he has created and gestures only. Cindy was able to teach him a few signs and get him to vocalize some consonant sounds. He has the most beautiful, contagious smile. Askansas School for the Deaf donated a sign book in Spanish and this was passed on to this young man and his family.
Charity and Lori were able to provide a wheelchair, braces and shows for a little girl with Spina Bifida. Initially, she was uncertain of the wheelchair. Once she realized that she would be able to move the chair herself, she began to propel herself.
Dana and Kori were able to teach a 10 year old girl with a brachial plexus injury a home strengthening program and the tools needed to do these exercises.
Several of the local girls came to see what was going on at the soccer facility. They were not in need of assessments so we took the opportunity to play with them (kick ball, parachute, and teach them some cheer moves using the pom poms we brought from home). A fun time was had by all.
We cleaned up our therapy supplies and packed up the van and headed to San Pedro Carcha, where we would stay the night. We were greeted by the Mayor and provided a wonderful meal. Several of the children performed the cultural dancing in traditional costumes. We thoroughly enjoyed their performance. At the end of their performance, Craig presented the Mayor's family with a wheelchair. In March, one of his family members (20 year old male) was involved in a car wreck and lost both of his legs in the accident. He is still in the hospital but the family hopes to bring him home soon, and are grateful to have a way to transport him when they do.
*The TEAM is currently at a place with no internet, but we hope to post some pictures soon!*