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

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