Day 2
“I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!”
Psalms 121:1-2
Today we began. The day started with heavy rain but it didn’t stop the patients from coming in to be seen and assisted. Today we met with families and individuals whose stories will stay with us. Our physician, therapists, and pharmacist saw teenagers, young adults, and the elderly. They were assisted and fitted with wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and even some innovative durable medical equipment created specifically made and tailored to fit.
We met a family of a 65 year old mother and daughter. The daughter had been carrying her mother around for three years in a chair, which is how they arrived at our clinic today. She would carry her to the bed, to eat dinner, and around for other daily tasks. The patient was unable to stand during the clinic due to pain. She came in being carried in a chair by her daughter and family, but left in a wheelchair tailored specifically for her. Not only did this improve the patients quality of life but also her daughter, her caregiver.
Today our team became innovative. Our therapist met a patient who had been attacked by a tiger while working. This resulted in having a craniotomy and a traumatic brain injury. The patient was in a coma and was dependent on a tracheostomy. Not sure if he would survive or not, he persevered and is alive today. This patient is eager to regain his mobility and to walk. We witnessed this patient take several steps, and when asked “Are you tired? Would you like to sit down?”, he replied no, with a huge smile on his face. This patient left with equipment created just for him by our volunteer staff.
Today I witnessed those who came in with their head down leave with their head lifted with a smile on their face. I witnessed teenagers leaving with hope, people leaving with a new pair of shoes, and a young adult equipped and eager to walk again.
Hope was restored. Independence was gained.
Team Blogger,
Berangeré R.
