Today was our first day in the clinic. It was an early start, 5:55 wake up call (although Peru is one hour behind PA). We walked to the clinic to get ready for the day. There are many stray dogs here in Arequipa, astonishingly they are not mutts, but weiner dogs, cocker spaniels, yellow labs and others that are our most common family pets. The clinic is at a local blind school, where we set up three treatment areas, Adult PT, Pediatric PT, and Occupational Therapy. There was a variety of patients, ranging from infants to 96 years old. All three of us were paired with the physical therapists in the Adult PT area. It was amazing to see the gratitude that all the patients showed for our service. Some were even brought to tears because they felt that our service to them was such a blessing. It is remarkable how a cane or a wheelchair that is otherwise unaffordable, can change an entire family's life. We had to speak to the patients through an interprteter, but still managed to create positive patient-therapist relationships. Overall, we had a successful day practicing our PT skills, all of us having an oppurtunity to do independent evaluations with the supervision of our PT partner. Besides the work, we had some fun/interesting moments from the day. Sharaya may have a future in Miami, as one of the patients offered to set her up with her son, a student of Internal Medicine in Miami. Sounds goos... keep your options open Sharaya! Nicole apparently looks like a 35 year old to Peruvians, they think you get taller as you age. However, she did get the one English line from any patient today, being told "I love you" in perfect English. Unknowingly, Emily became bilingual overnight.... After losing the interpreter, she had do continue answering questions for her patient, and luckily succeeded in this communication. Here are some pictures from today's activity. Feel free to ask us questions if you are interested. We are looking forward to a week full of helping others and having our lives touched by these unlikely disciples. Dios se bendiga!!
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<>Nicole intensely teaching a lovely lady
Sharaya with her talkative male friend | <><><><>
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Emily using some Spanish "Fuerte!" |
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| With our PT buddies for the day, Amy, Christina, and Theresa |
How many patients do you get in a day? Are they from the town, or do they come from farther away?
ReplyDeleteThe first day we have 47 patients, 20 adults and 27 kids. Today I am not sure, but it seemed like less patients. They come from all over, mostly from just outside or in the city
ReplyDelete