TEAMWorks Reflections:: Christina – Physical Therapist

I was blessed to be a part of the last trip to Ukraine and had such an amazing experience.  Preparing for the trip, I really had no idea what to expect.  As a physical therapist, one of my main jobs in preparation was to gather and prepare equipment.  I was overwhelmed by the amount of donations that we had received since the last trip.  I have to admit that while we were packing, I thought that there was no way that we would be able take all of this stuff with us.  There were not enough people to carry it all or room on that tiny Fayetteville airplane to hold this much.  Fortunately, God does not have the same narrow vision that I did, and with Him, things are possible that I do not see as possible.  It was quite comical the number of people from the airline that were in the terminal studying all of our equipment and problem solving about how to get everything through.

So through the help of many, we made it to Ukraine with 5 wheelchairs, 3 strollers, 8 walkers and 10 LARGE suitcases filled with supplies. (And 4 more arrived the next day).  So now the equipment was here, what do we do with it?  We delivered some to the orphanage we visited, but since our group has visited this orphanage many times before, they were not in need of equipment as much as education and assistance.  But then came day 3, our first day to meet with families in Ukraine who have children with special needs.  The line had already formed when we arrived.  Some of the families had been seen by our group before and others had just heard about us.  Some came with hopes for equipment and others with questions and need for advice.  All came because they have a deep love for their child and are trying to do all they can in a country that does not support children with special needs.  We divided into 2 groups of 3 therapists and began what was to be the first of 3 long days of nearly constant family visits.  The first two children my group saw were tall, adolescents who were unable to stand or walk.  They were unable to join their family on outings, as it was impossible to transport them.  We were able to give a wheelchair to each.  There are no words to express the excitement and joy on the faces of those kids and family members.  This was life changing for them.

We delivered many walkers, wheelchairs, strollers, and braces that day.  That night as I tried to sleep (nearly impossible with the time change and the fact that I couldn’t turn off my brain), I reflected on the day.  I was humbled by the experience of the lengths that these families go through for their children.  I was joyful at the equipment we were able to deliver and the professional advice we were able to give them.  I was hopeful that we had made a difference in the life of a child today.  I was thankful that so many people from home donated equipment, time, and money to get us here.  I was grateful that, while all those people helped, I (and the other therapist’s here) got to be the one to deliver it all.  But I was also worried.  Worried that we gave so much away today.  We still had 2 more days.  What if we didn’t have enough?  What if a family came to me with a real need, and I wasn’t able to help?

We went through 2 more days, seeing families and delivering equipment.  I can’t say that I always had just the right piece of equipment, but nearly always I could modify something to make it work for the child.  And then, it happened again. . . God making it obvious to me, since I am such a doubter, that he was really in control and making the most of our supplies and time spent here.  We had one wheelchair left and we were wrapping up our last day.  The cutest, sweetest little boy came through the door.  The last family for the day.  He needed a wheelchair and the one we had fit him perfectly.  I will never forget that little boy’s face and that sweet smile.  He taught me that I should worry less.  God is in control.  He takes care of his children.  He took care of that little boy and he takes care of me.

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