Thursday (Jeudi)

Day by day one learns that there are far more ways than verbally speaking to communicate needs/wants. In a country where language is a bit of a barrier for our team and interpreters are not always available (although they are absolutely amazing and well staffed) we have found that through broken french, a few gestures, and facial expression you can really get your point across! Today, Wendy, Jamie, and Keith headed back down to the Medishare tent. We treat anywhere between 8 and 12 patients a day with the occasional NICU infant feeding. Jamie works primarily in the pediatric tent where large gestures and crazy facial expressions are needed quite often because, as with any child, plain old therapy just isn't that fun. Wendy has been working with outpatients and adults - here gestures and dancing seem to be the most powerful form of communication. Keith followed up with clients he saw on Monday, did some range of motion with one of Wendy's clients, and worked in wound care with some of the PTs (Keith managed to have his own interpreter all day - he was working hard to obtain a job with Healing Hands - so verbal output was the easiest form of communication).
Rick and Bjorn brought orthotics down to Hospital Espoir. Rick provided two patients with knee immobilizers. He was also able to use the magic of gorilla tape to modify two AKA's prostheses. Rick found that thumbs up/thumbs down and hugs and kisses were extremely helpful in getting him through his job. Bjorn served as Rick's assistant (just for the day Sue!) and modeled a knee brace for a patient twice in order to help that individual don/doff their brace independently. As a side note, Bjorn would like the world to know that he is not a fan of external fixators - although extremely helpful and healing, they are "scary looking."
Leah stayed in to rest today and we think she has kicked what was ailing her so we will be happy to have her back at Medishare tomorrow.
John Earl left this morning - he thoroughly enjoyed his stay here and hopes to return sometime this year.
Jim and Steve attended two meetings today and are getting us closer and closer to a new rehab facility everyday - just plain old talking is the only way to get things done there!
We think that Mark and Emily (yes, the chickens) had a bit of a spat - they wound up on two different branches at dinner time and Mark wasn't too close behind Emily this morning. However, they managed to put their differences behind and snuggle up on the steps this afternoon :)
We are waiting on word for the day from the Jacmel and Les Cayes group so stay tuned!

Jacmel: Bonjou! We are tardy in reporting in for Thursday, as we did not have internet to update you! We have treated ~40 patients in the past two days at the Clinic Re-Adaptation in Jacmel. Jill is really working on her Creole, and can manage through a decent session with her vocabulary. Our patients have been incredibly stoic, gracious and sweet. A couple of vignettes for you -- we provided an elastic ankle brace and soccer ball for a 10 year old boy who suffered an ankle fracture and wound during the earthquake. He is great at doing his stretches and also needed a walking shoe for school, as a medical team had removed his cast a couple of weeks ago. His mom needed some exercises and strapping for a clavicle fracture and she was much appreciative. We also taught some exercises and passive stretching to a 19 year old girl who had her hand amputated during the earthquake. We think we could definitely have started some group exercise classes for back and knee pain, a little "tent aerobics".
We have definitely experienced the lack of resources in Jacmel this week. No gas, difficulty obtaining water and getting through the streets as locals line up at the gas pumps and barter for what is available. It continues to be a problem for everyone in a country with little to begin with and tormented by another massive natural disaster.

Les Cayes: We spoke with Sue briefly last night about their day. She said it was extremely productive with the boys. They facilitated and taught a class to 16 amputees who had received prostheses in the past weeks and then Bob was able to meet with them all individually to clarify details and concerns. Way to go you talented people!

Minnesota, Minnesota.....Yay - MINNESOTA!!