Thursday Blog 3/5/26
The total sum of our trip was realized today. Through the strong faith, dedication, and love of our team, an astounding 249 patients have had their lives forever changed this week, including 20 ENT surgeries, 22 General surgeries and 24 Gynecology surgeries. The force of our medical efforts is felt not only through standard operation, but also through the Mobility Clinic and the Audiology Department. Completing the final blog of the week, it felt a great injustice to not spotlight the astounding work of these departments.
The work of the Mobility Clinic is a complex and multifaceted process. With so many patients needing a range of mobility care, things must run smoothly. The department relies on several members including Team Doctor, Mike Noel, to first provide a standard mobility check-up. Our wonderful Physical Therapy team, including Ashley Wyrick, Emma Smith and David Wendeborn provide the proper mobility tool whether it be wheelchair, a walker or cane. Tracy Nettles provides translation and communication between the patient and care team, working with the patients to make sure they know how to navigate these new mobility tools. The team provides instruction and insights for the patients on how to best navigate their mobility issue at home.
Our wheelchair and walker constructors Jamie Morris, Kristin Baker and Byron, the inspiring Head of the Mobility Clinic who, in a wheelchair himself, can build three wheelchairs at the speed another may build one to provide actual physical aids. And their efficiency has a record: this week alone, 114 wheelchairs, 21 walkers, and 11 canes were distributed, with a total of 146 people provided with mobility care.
As for the Audiology department, nowhere is their work more relevant and necessary than on this mission. In a place where 1 in 20 Guatemalans are deaf or hearing impaired, hearing aids are exceedingly crucial for the very wellbeing of Guatemalan society. The necessity for hearing aids spans across demographics, but seeing the life changing impact the Audiology department has on the children, watching a mother’s tears as her child hears for the first time, is indescribable.
Audiologists Alexa and Wendell Todd conduct hearing tests, fit hearing aids, and if needed, provide information for rehabilitation services to help improve patients’ quality of life. Unfortunately, it’s the follow-up that is often the challenge. Consistently remembering to resupply batteries for a hearing aid, repair a device that’s broken, or furthering their speech or sign language skills through classes can be a challenge for people with the distinct lack of funds and resources in the region. Expanding and improving is the best way to revise this issue. It’s a complex field that can be non-invasive and life changing for our patients. Thankfully, Faith in Practice is committed to the success of this program.
As we conclude a week of hard work and contribution, the sum of it all has been, to me, the love prevalent within all of it. The love we team members have for our patients, the love we have for each other, new and old members alike, and the love the community shares with us. As powerfully stated in Corinthians 16:14, “Let all that you do be done in love.” For our team, this is more than true.
