MEET PHILLIP

Phillip is 15 years old. He is Rwandan and his mother transferred Phillip to the care of the Missionaries of the Poor 2 years ago for medical care and schooling. The family was living in a refugee camp when Phillip sustained a severe thoracic compression fracture falling out of a tree at the age of 7. He ended up with spinal cord damage and is a partial paraplegic. They found that he had spinal TB which weakened the bones in his spine. His Mother had no access to medical care for Phillip but was able to enroll Phillip in a UNA program and then eventually he came to Busega Bethlehem Home following a rehab stay at Katalemwa.

Phillip with Noah and Simon at Christmas

Phillip is an aspiring and talented musician and songwriter. He has been singing with his 2 friends for the last few years and is doing well in school. This in addition to being such a kind and gracious young man. He is able to manage all his self care and can walk for 20 min at a time 2-3 x day with heavy leg braces and a walker. I met Phillip a few months after arriving at Busega when he came to me with complaints of back pain.

I managed to find his file and piece together his story. Douglass was also new at this time so we reviewed his medical information together and started a plan of action. We were concerned that he had been recommended for spinal decompression and fusion which had yet to be done. This led to a 5 month process of getting Phillip re-assessed for the status of his spine.

It was a challenge to say the least. We had Phillip sent to 2 different MD's who just said "Do more PT, you are fine and your spine is healed" but they never did any tests or X-Rays. Turns out the orthopedist we requested was not there so they had a regular internist assess instead. I wanted to scream!

Rogers (L) and Phillip (R) at the football championships

Phillip has been struggling with frequent bladder infections due to urinary retention. This is a sign of spinal cord compression and seemed to be getting worse. We pushed hard. Douglass was persistent and calm where I am more reactive. Douglass went along on the appointment without me for this reason. He managed to get the MD to at least do an X-Ray. The MD complied but said his spine was "normal". This is an unfortunate problem with healthcare here in Uganda especially if the care is being done for poor children on a charity basis. They just don't get the attention they need and the caliber of many MD's is poor. Poor Phillip was slipping into a depression regarding his condition. He was tired of going to the MD and was tired of being put on the same antibiotic. He is a young man and was depressed about the progression of weakness in his legs and bladder. We had to convince him to allow us to try one more Doctor...this time it had to be a surgeon or NO ONE!

I managed to see the X-Rays myself and was astounded at how bad Phillips spine was. I was raging mad at the MD's at this point. Brother Sonny was more than willing to help me locate an orthopedic surgeon and this time we made sure he was the head of the spine surgery department at one of the major hospitals here. It would cost, but Phillip's future depended on it.

Phillips X-Rays (posterior is to the L of the film)
You can't even see the T-Spine which is much worse

Thanks to Douglass' persistence, we managed to get an appointment Wed of this week for 5 PM. This time, both Douglass and I came along. I have a BIG mouth and do not mind using it to advocate for the kids. By the grace of God we even got there in time after leaving late and hitting a "jam" as they call it here. Unfortunately, the surgeon was not able to get there until 8 PM. All of us were tired (Medson the driver, Douglass, Phillip and I) I was beginning to lose hope until we finally met with this young capable orthopedist.

He was great. he talked to Phillip directly...it didn't take him but a moment looking at the X-rays to say..."we have a problem here". He took Douglass and I to the viewing room and showed us both areas of issue. There was significant cord compression in the Thoracic spine and a severe posterior spondylolisthesis of L5 on the sacrum in the lumbar spine (his last lumbar vertebrae was falling backwards off his sacrum) not to mention foreign bodies and compression fractures etc etc.

Henry (L) and Phillip (R) performing at the Brothers celebration
(Rogers was sick at the time)

The miracle is that the surgeon feels that a fusion will help Phillip improve. He feels that Phillips bladder function has a good chance to return to normal AND the spasticity of Phillips legs can improve. Phillips needs the surgery soon otherwise he will have complete cord compression. With surgery, he has the ability to lead a normal life from a wheelchair and have a family and children.

This was the best news I had in weeks! Phillip was finally smiling knowing he will get the help he needs. Douglass and I wanted to dance up and down and holler for joy! Again...It took teamwork to make miracles happen. The surgeon said Mulago Hospital will do the surgery for free and that they had some donated implants from the states. He would have to confer with his colleagues as Phillips spine was very involved as to how to handle this case. Also because Phillip is now at risk for post op infection given his resistance to antibiotics from prolonged treatment of cystitis.

Phillip and Henry posing with the brothers and
Douglass the MO (standing behind Henry)

NOW...we have to get the money for the complete spinal MRI's and full spinal X-Rays needed for the surgeon to make a plan of action. This we have to come up with on our own. I have full faith that if God has allowed us to get this far to help Phillip, he will find a way to finance this surgery/test/rehab care that Phillip will need. The Missionaries of the Poor have manifested many miracles since my arrival...I have a feeling there will be another forthcoming!

If I have done NOTHING else since coming here...helping Phillip will be the one thing that makes me feel like God has finally used me for His purpose. I will be able to leave feeling I have completed His work.

PAY IT FORWARD!

We have all heard the term "Pay it forward". This usually means when someone does something to help you out, you pass that along to 2 other people who pass it along to 2 others and so on and so forth. I have been working with a man who is "paying it forward" before he gets a break, or help, or a jackpot or anything. Godfrey is a quiet hard working and creative welder who has been helping me out periodically throughout the last 8 months on my projects.

Godfrey the welder

He recently approached me for a favor. "Favors" here usually consist of asking for money so I was braced for this....how BAD was I to judge. This kind hearted man shared with me that he has taken a group of teenagers off the street by trying to train them in the craft of welding so that they would have a skill. Most of these kids have no money for school fees or dropped out all together for one reason or another. Godfrey realized how dangerous idle time for young men can be and wanted to do something about it.

Godfrey's shop

Where me makes all his beautiful things

Standing on the street next to his shop

He shared with me that his "shop" needs to be moved as his landlord wants to build. He is hoping to get a bigger shop so he can better train the young men that he is helping. This is a man giving from NOTHING like the story about the poor widow in the Bible. He quietly asked if I know anyone who would do a loan for him to get a bigger property and shop. I told him that I presently know of no one but will ask around.

Some of the young men he is helping

They are such a nice group of young men!

He invited me to see his shop so I took him up on the offer. From the beautiful work he's done, I expected a rather nice shop....I was a bit surprised to see just how small of a space this man creates his beautiful things. He introduced me to his landlord as well as the nice group of young men he is helping. They were all polite and gracious and seemed sincerely appreciative of Godfrey's help.

The landlord talking with one of Godfrey's boys

This is a more typical scene throughout all of Busega and much of Kampala. It is amazing how much people here endure...imagine for a moment, this is your place of work...Godfrey is truly a man PAYING IT FORWARD. I learned a great lesson in humility and respect this day.

MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE

I have 3 talented young men who are singer-songwriters and who have already produced several songs. Given that they have no money, having anything produced is via the graciousness of Fr Raymond and his donors. The boys have recently produced a song and have been begging for a music video to go along with it. The cost is just too much...about 175.00 USD

Phillip

I have been able to make a few slideshows to music and have offered to try and produce something for the boys. We spent time looking over the lyrics and talking about what they want the video to look like and what message they would like to convey. The boys have not been involved with this side of the production before and I felt it was important for them to learn and develop as artists.

Henry

Rogers

We did several "shoots" including their dancers before I was waylaid with illness and buried in construction. They are ever patient. I would apologize for the tardiness and they would smile and say "It's OK Sister Carol, we know you are busy, we appreciate anything you can do" Phillip especially would have sad eyes through his smile. They are so gracious and patient, so non expecting and so appreciative that it was breaking my heart.

Christine's son Dennis and I 

I decided enough was enough. I knew I did not have the time to put into the project and would need to hire someone. I was wary about hiring a stranger as Fr Raymond said the last time he hired someone to do this, they ran off with the boys music and lyrics producing it as their own. Father was rightfully cautious to say the least.

"Westby" in front (singer/dancer) along with Dennis (middle)
 and Effie (Videographer)

I had lunch with nurse Christine and her husband and son, Dennis. Dennis just happens to be in the TV/Music arena. Just so happens that he knows a videographer who works for the UN and produces documentaries. HOW perfect!

Filming in the PT room 

They were on the spot! They came to chat last Sunday and ended up doing all the shooting as well. I was able to give the footage I already had and today we get to edit the first cut! They boys are ecstatic!!! THIS is their dream...how lucky again am I that I can help make some dreams come true!

Performing at an event

Singing with Passion!

A LOT OF TEAMWORK, A LOT OF TIME and A FEW TEARS

This last weekend I managed to commandeer the help of Robert the mason to finish with hanging the mirrors and sensory swing anchor. I was already at the end of my emotional rope so to speak...my tolerance for any more "no shows" or "I'm on my way...NOT" was non existent. Robert was 20 min late from the time he PROMISED me he would be there.  SOO being as Muzungu as I was, I sent a young boy to run to Robert's house to wake him up to meet me. Nuff said.

Alex installing the flap to prevent little
bodies from crawling into the room

William,  who I had to near bodily stop from
pounding a 3rd hole
in my ceiling

I was a bit nervous about cutting into the roof...we had measured 3 x both inside and outside. I was sure I had it right but this was the first time I had to rely on my own building skills. I was sure about the engineering part as I had run my plans by Papa Gundy back home. Turns out it was right on the money. My goal...ONLY ONE HOLE! The reality...one hole in the roof but 2 in the ceiling of my room thanks to someone trying to pound and inch round pole through from the ceiling side. I managed to catch this before a 3rd hole was made, gave them a thin 1/8 gauge steel rod which made a nice guide hole through which to drill and WALA...nice hole. The rest of this project went well (save for the fact the cement cracked overnight as it was not kept wet or covered...ohh well...just more work I suppose) and we managed to patch up the extra hole with the steel plate.

NO MORE THAN 1/2" I kept hollering
We had 6" of cement roof which I wanted to remain intact

Perfect!

A little patchwork...a little paint,
'tis all good

The mirror project was touchy from the get go. Jamile delivered and started to hang the mirrors last week...the big one cracked. I had him cut it down to make a 3rd and he delivered another big one. This time I had Robert help hang it. We had 2 major problems...uneven cement walls and heavy rubber mats to go behind the mirrors. Heavy mirrors hanging on 4 screws each. HMMM. Robine had the best idea of taking off the angled grout above the 1/2" tile skirt to allow the weight of the mirrors to rest on this. THANKS ROBINE!

Hanging the heavy mats

Hanging the mats was the first major issue...regular nails and then cement nails both failed...as did screws (as the mats just pulled away from the head of the screw) We used pieces of rubber to act like a washer and pounded the screws in with cement glue. YAY. Then it came to the big mirror again. This time I had large metal and rubber washers. We had the right sized screws and anchors and I had the cement glue.

Kids self portrait in the mirror

There are no mirrors at Busega so the kids
are intrigued by them

It was taking a long time to match up the holes with the mirror holes as the rubber mats would move and stretch. After quite some time we managed to get 3 of the 4 screws in. I went into the storeroom to get some water when I heard CRACK! My mind would not go there...NO...It couldn't have cracked again. I walked in to see Robert with his head down and Brian with a shocked smile. The big mirror once again was sporting a huge crack in a nice uneven angle from bottom to top. For a moment I was thinking...maybe no one will notice....hmm.

My response at the time..."Robert...It is OK..it is fine...this will work out, don't worry." I called Jamile to rush another large mirror out for later that afternoon (He was quite happy to say the least)...Robert went up to the roof to finish cementing in the plate. I shut and locked the door behind everyone, sat in the middle of the PT room floor on a small chair in front of the 2cnd broken mirror put my head in my hands and cried.

A moment to breathe and chant
"It's going to be OK...it's going to be OK" 

I kept thinking...maybe one of these people needs a job more than I need the money, maybe there is something I am NOT supposed to be doing with these mirrors, maybe there is a project I can do with these broken pieces....I got a text from Douglass (who came to check on the status and found the door locked) I am not well...I texted back. I finally relented and let him in....he just squatted next to me not saying anything and let me rant. "Maybe I should just give up" I said in exasperation.

He just laughed and said, "Carol, the one thing I know about you is that you are persistent and stubborn...you don't give up". I looked at him and laughed a bit. "OK..you're right". I think he felt bad for me. He remained after his work hours (it is a short day on saturday for employees) to help out.

Jamile and his crew making lemon aide
out of my lemons

The mirror was delivered, I had Jamile cut down the broken one into various sizes of squares (maybe a wall project?) and Robert, Douglass and I proceeded to tackle the tedious and now nerve wracking task of hanging the mirrors. It was now 4 PM and we were all tired. The new mirror's holes did not match the old one's so new anchors had to be drilled waaay to close to the old ones...

Robert (in blue) and Douglass (orange)
"slowly by slowly" hang the mirrors

"SPEAK TO THE HAND"
after the 100th "Sister Carol" from the boys

Between having to re-do the new anchors, remove the mirrors at least 2-3 x each if anything did not go in smoothly, manage broken drill bits (remember...NO HOME DEPOT nearby... or at all) holes being too big...to small...too angled...we managed to "slowly by slowly" as they say here...painstakingly and meticulously get the mirrors hung.

Standing in a stupor...it is finished

It took all 4 of us...all 4 of us had ideas that helped get this done. Douglass's patience in managing everything slowly and meticulously was crucial. Robine's logical ideas and suggestions and Robert's all around skills and problem solving....It was teamwork...this could not have been done any other way. It was nice to know that we could all work together in such a way. I had only one small tear at the end...this was in relief that the hardest part of this project was now over. I said a prayer of "THANKS" knowing that maybe someday I will know why this had to be so challenging...at this moment, however, relief was fine by me.

JUST STUFF (Thank you lunch and English class)

The last 2 weeks have been primarily working on the gym, working with the contractors and having equipment checked or built. There has been some FUN stuff to keep things light and enjoyable...the "STUFF" that makes the world go 'round.

Dennis (L) and Dr Masaimale (R)

Christine and I 

I took last Wednesday off to take Doctor and Nurse Christine out to lunch along with their eldest son, Dennis as a "thank you" for running to the ER with me, making sure I had meds and my favorite foods while I was ill. This worked out wonderful as Dennis is involved in TV and media. He was able to arrange for his friends who do video work to consider doing the music video for the boys at Busega. I had been promising them I'd produce it for them, but the reality is I just have no time...they plan to come to write up a contract next week! The boys will be ecstatic!

Just outside the MOP gate

We had an enjoyable lunch at my favorite FISH place on the shores of Lake Victoria (Gaba Hotel)

We are coming up on midterm in English class. This term, we have been focusing on public speaking, writing and presentations. They have been doing very well. I am bound and determined to teach them all to speak up so that in the AM I can hear them say the page numbers....UGH...The Ugandans all whisper....can barely hear them....of course they all think I am a "loud mouth" which is quite funny! I will make the Muzungu before they know it.

My FUN English class
 (I made them write poetry this week)

These guys are always happy and goofy!

The Brothers are always asking me for their "snaps"....we decided to take a class picture to be sure everyone was in it. These Brothers are going home in 2 days for a home visit and wanted to picture with the Muzungu to show their families. I had to be sure they kept things down a bit as picture taking became rather wild and crazy BUT we had a lot of fun.

They also work this way...definitely JOYFUL service to Christ on the cross

I will miss them dearly...please pray for them as this is a difficult life choice for these young men in their early 20's. They will be back in a few weeks though and I am sure still asking for cookies and sweets (I baked them cookies as a goodbye)

The nicest group of young men you will ever meet 

THANK YOU DONORS AND CMMB!

I have no words to THANK everyone who has donated to this Physical Therapy room project. I can honestly say, BLESSINGS are forthcoming....Father Raymond (our resident Holy man) said Mass for all of you this week and for the Hayden family today....when HE prays, things happen! There is not one person who has helped who will not experience the flow of returning blessings in THIS lifetime, as Father Raymond likes to say.

BEFORE: the cracked red cement, dirty white walls,
lights dangling from wires, clutter

Right now, I am trying to push through the remaining projects:
The one's done in the last 2 weeks are....

* Curtains: DONE

* Door locks changed: DONE

* Ramps re-done to fit the new floor height: DONE

* Grab bar by the toilet installed: DONE

* Door cut down to meet the new floor height: DONE

* Leak in the sink fixed: DONE

* Custom table built and painted: DONE

BEFORE: The back room (AFTER I moved out the
junk stacked floor to ceiling) 

BEFORE: Adult height urinals

BEFORE: The original double sink in the bathroom

NOW....today...I had planned to have 4 contractors here to do the following:

* Install the heavy duty anchor through the roof for the sensory swing and then waterproof over this 

* Install the 3 heavy mirrors

* Re-set the door that was removed as the hinges do not match up

* Replace the front door flap/latch to prevent the kids from crawling through the hole into the PT room

* Installing the wood portion of my custom table top 

* Installing the replacement lock for the door to the ramp (that the tile guy threw away)

* Drilling a hole in the 2 metal plates for the ceiling anchor

AFTER: The new tile; light fixtures; mural and soft paint; windows painted to
match the mural

AFTER: The curtains!

OK...they were ALL supposed to be here at 10 AM...it is near 2 PM and only 1 of the 4 showed up. I am trying not to get frustrated...I need to pick up the equipment from Katalemwa next week and need all this done before then. Today, I am not coping well. 

AFTER: Robert installing the grab bar by the toilet

AFTER: Alfred painting the custom adjustable table

AFTER: Godfrey posing with his custom table

AFTER: The lowered urinals for the boys with
grab bars 

I know I need to trust that God will do this on HIS time....I decided it was a good time as a result to catch up on the blog. Trust...not an easy thing for me...this is probably one of many, many more lessons I will need to go through. UGH. 

AFTER: the single sink; newly painted frames and
the railing on the ramp

AFTER: The adjusted ramp height with railings

AFTER: The door that doubles as a railing;
the new sink in the gym

AFTER: The pretty blue green back room with
mirrors waiting to be hung

OK....2 more of the contractors showed up....The mirror man (Jamile) just called and said he cannot be here until tomorrow (at least he was honest so I wasn't wasting my time waiting); Alex the carpenter showed up at 3:30 though promised to be here at 1 PM (was on his way at 1:30 PM; YA right!)....Robert was not long before then but had a better excuse as Fr Raymond needed him most of the day....We measured inside and on the roof to locate where to sink the I bolt ONLY to find out the Monastery "borrowed" my drill today (the one Laine Smith purchased for us) without letting me know...OK...I WILL NOT SCREAM I WILL NOT SCREAM....everyone plans to come "tomorrow" We shall see...if God is willing...and He is not up there snickering at me saying "Let's just see how far we can push her" 

Well...it worked...I am fully in the HUMAN mode today!