Huarmey

Today we are in Huarmey, which functions as the Team’s headquarters. We see a lot of the team around as the week is winding down. Everyone has stories to tell of hiking 10 hours to get to a village. Which of course means 10 hours back!

We work in the Special Education School with another PT today. We see 12 children and moms and 3 adults. There is one mom who lives 2 hours away. Her daughter is 6 and has some undiagnosed issue much like muscular dystrophy. Due to her weakness, she fell and broke her femur. As the family has no health care they did not have money pay for the health care for the broken leg. Her leg was casted in the broken position and that is the end of the health care she recieved.

Another guy had 150 logs fall on him and he is in pain with many issues due to the lack of finances to pay for health care services. We ended the trip with a family workshop which was run by Joe and Shelby without me! They focused on sitting posture, safe lifting for parents, and activities to improve hand and speech function. We are off to Lima.

We had the 5 hour or so bus ride back to Lima. What ever question we ask we get a different answer. Nothing is standard or predicable here. We need to be prepared at any moment for an adventure!

It will be nice to have toilets and warm water, soap, and a shower! We went 3 days in Quillo without a shower. There is so much honky of cars in Peru, especially in Quillo. We will miss the noise!

We will have some time to be tourists in Lima.

Entonces (and then)

When people are speaking in Peru they frequently interject ‘entonces’ into the conversation!  We went to Peru And then… We arrive home and what does that mean?

The lack of noise is deafening here in the USA! Even in the mountain villages all kinds of noise! Roosters and honking from the taxi’s taking folks from Quillo to Casma!

The poverty that limits people from accessing health care, a basic essential item is really moving.

We have a new understanding and feel blessed for the “things we have” – water, (hot and safe to drink), health care, the role of women in our country. I was struck with the work women do, while the men walk along side them, the physical abuse and the lack of opportunities!

We have a new understanding of being  flexibile in life. It  is necessary for learning and moving forward! And mostly we learned from the people we met. We met  a 98-year-old women and man in Peru. It so awesome that having a babies is such a universal experience for women. We have learned to appreciate  the environment we function in and the difference in the environment for others. In this case there is no refrigeration for ice packs or sitting on the floor is essential for Peru in Quillo.

Language is a tool for the exchange of human experience, creating connection and trust!

Entonces we are home, we have learned, we have created a human connection that is greater than individuals but is part of the bigger human experience!

Until next year,

Muchas Suerte (good luck!)

Casma

Thursday was a typical day in Peru-unexpected and full of many different learning opportunities. We arrive at the Special Education School with over 30 parents waiting for us. We did an on the spot parent workshop for kids and parents. It was wild with kids and parents, 2 different languages and trying to make a sensible presentation. We had bought objects in the market for display for the workshop and we had handouts. We were expecting the workshop to be from 4-6pm, so we rolled with the punches and I think it was good.

From 9:30-2:30 we saw one child after the other. We worked with the PT and moms. The PT was enthusiastic and we learned from each other! We really felt like working with the PT will make a difference. We saw such needy kids. One mom whose son is 11 and does not walk. She carries and lifts him all by herself. Many of the children need so little that would make such a difference. Many of the children do not receive regular medical care as they can not get to Lima. There are so many needs. We were able to make a difference with providing information to the PT who will be able to carry out some additional treatments for children and families. It still takes my breath away.

We finished early today and we were able to head out to the ruins outside of Casma. Very interesting and old ruins with great views.

We then headed back to Huarmey. Some of the crew is back in Huarmey. There are about 16 of us spread out in different villages. Huarmey is our home base, so it´s always fun to seem some of our people!

Joe is feeling a bit better each day, Lyneth is getting some bug. So, far Shelby and I are still standing.

Tomorrow is the special education eschula in Huarmey! A new day with new adventures!

Hasta,

Deirdra, Joe, Shelby!

Pan, Palta, Pollo, Peru

Seems like we have had a lot of Palta (avocado) Pan (Bread), Pollo (chicken) during our stay in Quillo. We saw patients today in Quillo and did a workshop for pregnant mothers. Yesterday we helped a mother during her delivery. WE gave her some exercises for birthing. She had her baby girl! Very exciting. They are very busy at this little medico posto with pregnancy, kids, and other issues. Many of the patients we saw had back issues, knee pain and other joint pain. It is not surprising since they have to climb constantly as Quillo is built on a hill. Many of them still work in the field, sit on the floor and follow very traditional roles and routines. They wrap the babies so they can move their arms and legs so they will have straight arms and legs. As a result many of the children have delayed milestones in their development. There is a lot of traditional roles between men and women. So, we have left the police station behind! Joe is feeling a little better, but still with flu-like symptoms. He is a trooper! We have an excellent interrupter. She helps arrange transportation, sleeping and eating for us. If we are not careful she might sell us to the goats! We are back in Casma. We have met up with part of the other crew working in Peru. Tomorrow we will be at the school with kids with disabilities.

Buenos Noches,

Deidra, Joe, Shelby

Quillo

Is it Tuesday??? Time feels different here. There is a lot of  waiting. Waiting for plans, waiting for people to have lunch. Waiting for todos! Monday, we went to the Casma Hospital to meet with the Director. It was a bust.. He wasn´t too interested in working with us.  So, we asked about a Special Education School and they were thrilled to work with us. We got a tour of the school, met the teachers and children. One little girl, 5 years old who has Down Syndrome was so adorable. Her family is from Quillo. So, She had to give us information and assistance in getting a ride to Quillo. One of the teachers has a restaurant, so we ate at the restaurant for lunch with Mom and the little girl. Mom helped Lyneth book transportation to Quillo. We then did a quick evaluation and ideas for Mom for development in the Hotel Room. Then we were off to Quillo! What a ride through the mountains on treacherous dirt and rocky roads. We arrived at the medico posta. They found us a place to stay in the police station! What a slumber party.

Today is sunny in the mountains. Most of speak Quichua and the women dress in traditional clothing. We say 6 patients, did a workshop for the medical personal and did some exercises for a women giving birth!

Tomorrow is another workshop and some evaluations with children with Down´s Syndrome. Shelby is picking up Spanish. Lyneth is a great translator and Joe is not feeling great and being a trooper. Shelby and Joe gave a great workshop to the medical personnel on back prevention and pregnant women and normal child development.

Mañana!

Domingo, 6 Junio

Wake up in Huarmey to breakfast with the crew in the Market. We estabhlish the plans. The PT crew is off to the Special Education School to meet with physical and occupational therapist who are working with children with a variety of diagnosis. They would like us to come back on Friday to see Children from 9-2 and then do a family workshop at 4pm. We will have to get cracking on the workshop as that was not part of the plan.

We meet with Javeth to work with her on her prosthesis. Her prosthesis needs repair. We went to the hospital,but as it is Sunday there is no one to make a cast mold of her leg. So, Joe and I (mostly Joe) make a mold of her leg. Wow, that was tricky. But we did it!! Now everyone keep your fingers crossed we bring it out to the North American Continent without breaking it.

We hired cabs to take us to Casma, about a hour north of Huarmey!  Casma is expecting us and wanted us to come back from our visit in 2008. Tomorrow we will spend the day in Casma. We are not sure what we will be doing, but flexibility is the key!

A la Manana

Deirdra, Joe, Shelby

Sabado, 5 Junio

Hola!

We are all safe and sound in Lima! Our plane was delayed in Atlanta, due to bad storms. We arrived in Lima and went through customs quickly. No issues with customs. I was quite mindful of the fact we had boxes of synriges and gloves!

The women who have already assisted us in translating our materials and who will be helping us in interrupting arranged for a hotel and transportation. The transportation was waiting for us and we traveled quickly amongst the honking and beeping to Hotel El Caribe. Our rooms are on a busy main thorough fare and the honking is deafening.

Cafe con leche and bread are the usual breakfast fare! We have time to change money, buy water and get ready for our bus ride to Huarmey! We had hoped to do some shopping, but I do not think we will have time.

Our first day was long, but relatively uneventful. And we have HOT, muy caliented aqua for our showers!  We all enjoyed the shower and there is no hot water in Huarmey-our next stop. 

Our bus ride today takes us along the Pacific coast on the Pan American Highway.

Hasta Luego! More from Huarmey..

Deirdra, Joe, and Shelby

Aeropuerto

Ready to leave Boston for Lima

Joe, Shelby, and I need to sort equipment- crutches and sleeping bags, so everything fits into our allotted two bags per person under the 50 pound limit. Steve, the engineer, is guiding the process with due diligence!

I have been reminded in the last 24 hours of all the priveleges I (we) have. A bed, electricity, and hot water!

We have a stop over in Atlanta and then arrive in Lima about medianoche!

Do I have everything? What have I forgotten, keys, glasses, money! The list of needed items is different when traveling in Perú. Toilet paper, passport, and glasses! Truely, it seems like there is always more to  have done to have prepared. I know I haven’t spent enough time preparing the students for this experience and I haven’t spent enough time practicing my spanish. At this point we are as prepared as we can be and it’s time for flexibility and enjoying the people and the experience of Perú!

Bien Viaje

Perú Junio 2010

Otros año, otros viaje!

All spring the physical therapy students work on their service-learning projects. Service-learning requires students to achieve academic objectives, meet a community need and reflection. Two of my fabulous students, Joe and Shelby, were interested in joining the crew and work in Perú. They have written manuals about exercises for mothers and back injury prevention. The country of Perú has identified a goal of reducing maternal mortality. Mother’s taking care of them selves through exercise will support that goal. We have also collected crutches with a crutches manual. I have been spending every driving moment listening to Spanish for Physical Therapists in the car!

We leave first thing in the morning on Friday, 4 de Junio! John Duffy and other folks from the Village Empowerment Project left Monday and we will join them in Huarmey on Saturday. I am excited we have a new person, Lyneth joining our “team” as the interrupter! She is from Ecuador and just graduated from UMass Lowell with her Masters Degree in Community Psychology. Welcome to Lyneth and thank you. We could not do our work without you!

People ask what long lasting effects we can have in terms of physical therapy in a week! Well, not much in terms of changing impairments! We will leave Perú and people will still have disabilities. We try to concentrate on a train the trainer model that provides information to people who can teach others. If we were with babies or young children we hope to provide education to madres. We hope to minimize secondary conditions that happen as a result of the primary condition. No, we are not going to change the world, but perhaps one life!

It is also what we learn as individuals. We learn so much from the entire experience personally and professionally. So, God Speed to us, send us your support and comments!

Mejores deceos,

Profesora Murphy

La Casa

Here we are home, back in the Estados Unidos! ! I’m thinking in Spanish and English. It’s difficult to transition back to the states. JP, Mary Ann and Ryan were able to hold their own with their Spanish. They were all very helpful translating for me and helping me learn my Spanish with frequent corrections of my poor Spanish! So, I keep thinking in Spanish! I notice my pace. I’m slower- I’m on Nicaraguan time! We would start meetings at 1pm promptly- which really translates to 2:00 pm. I’m really not patient and do things quickly, so this is always an area for skill development for me!
This trip feels like it was easier for me. I’m sure a week is easier than 10 days. Having such a fabulous team makes it easier and it’s my third time going. Just think after 10 years!

Key Take home points for Mary Ann and I!

1. There is a tremendous amount of poverty present for many Nicaraguans and there are many rehabilitation needs for children and adults.
2. The resiliency of people is so powerful to me. So many of the people we have met are doing their jobs as parents and caregivers with so much less than we have.
3. We worked together as a true interdisciplinary team which taught us all so much. We learned and worked together. I am thinking the need for the medical doctors to be present for the translation created a link that sustained the interdisciplinary team. Mary Ann and I taught Ryan and JP so much about disability, function, and families. They taught us so much about delivering health care in developing countries.