Someone recently asked me if I am working with anyone other
than Shaffique and Lokiru…the answer is YES!!!! There are so many boys here
that need help…I am having to prioritize given the fact there is only 1 PT,
namely me….
The Bethlehem Home houses around 200 + children. A good 1/3
of them are disabled in some way. Much of what I see includes: Cerebral Palsy
(primarily), spinal cord injury, head injury, club foot, Down’s Syndrome,
Epilepsy, mico-cephaly, and hydrocephalus.
There are multiple severe contractures resulting from
non-treated CP and status post head injury. We also have several children who
have no visible disability and who can move normally but present with learning
disabilities and autism. These are just as severe a disability because if a
child cannot manage self care on his own, then he will not have the opportunity
to go to school and will need to rely on outside help for the rest of his or
her life. That is, trusting that there is a place that will house them for
their life span.
Sad to say, many of these children were found on the streets
alone dropped by parents or family members unable or unwilling to care for
them. Disability is still looked on by local people as a curse and this
mentality is slow to change. The Brothers are giving them a chance at a
comfortable life and environment of love and family and even the chance at
school if they have potential.
Here are only some of the kids whom I have been working
with:
1)
Peter: Around 7. Spastic Cerebral Palsy. No
cognitive deficit. Did not speak and could not stand without help. Was able to
scoot-crawl.
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| Peter and his new "duds" |
Now
is standing most of the time but still has to hold onto something. Can stand
for 1-2 seconds without support. Starting to verbalize his needs but needs
reminders to speak up. LOVES to spend most of his time walking using the 4
Wheeled walker. Can maneuver it alone on level surfaces and can go up (not
down) small ramps. Waiting for his loftstrand crutches to be built so he can
walk on his own.
2)
Martin: Age unknown but around 6-7. Some
form of sensory integration issue with ADD. Did not speak, tended to pick
fights and bite the other kids. Unable to sit still or be held. Smiling despite
being disciplined all the time. Not interested in learning. Tending to get
himself into trouble most of the time.
 |
| Big toothless grin! |
Thanks
to my OT/PT friends (Robin, Darlene, & Barb, I have tried a few things with
what they suggested. Martin is now able to repeat sounds with me…can make it
through 1/ 2 of the alphabet before getting bored and running off; has started
saying a few words (hello, sit down, stand up, walk) and is starting to make
animal sounds with me (as long as I don’t look at him and am busy doing
something else as I make these sounds with him) He is not biting much at all
and is coming up to me for hugs (quick ones but hugs none-the-less)
3)
JUSTIN:
Age unknown but around 6. Similar to Martin. Used to tap on you to get your
attention and then point at nothing in particular and say tu tu. Was
incontinent. Did not speak otherwise. Could not express what he wanted.
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| Favorite saying "Tsu Tsu" (which means he needs to pee) |
Now, is able to say ¾ of the alphabet and repeat sounds. Better attention
span than Martin. Now is able to repeat words but does not say them
spontaneously. Is now continent thanks to watching me train Shaffique. Still
has temper tantrums but will respond to being held and given attention.
4)
Abed: Age 10. Small for his age appearing
more like 2-3. Most likely had a stroke when an infant but then closed head
injury on top of that along with epilepsy. Was sleepy most of the day, unable
to sit upright without support, drooled constantly, nystagmus (eyes rapidly
moving back and forth), was sick with upper respiratory illness most of the
time. Unable to feed himself. Not able to move on his own or crawl at all.
Unable to hold himself in a 4 point position.
 |
| Now standing and starting to crawl! |
NOW…thanks to the help of Douglass the Medical Officer, Abed is now
stable medically, having less seizures and is now alert much of the time. He
has not had an illness in over 3 months. He even just started GROWING now and
has grown 3” in 2 months!!!
He can now maintain a 4 point and high kneel position on his own and is
now even crawling on his bunk (usually over his bedmate). He can stand with
minimal support for short periods of time and can advance his feet for walking
when supported with his arms. He is drooling less and is able to put his own
food in his mouth 25% of the time. He is now even reaching out to play with the
other kids.
5)
TUSUBIRA: One of my favorites from day one.
He is about 6. Was generally in a constant state of banging his head against
the cement floor and crying or screaming. One of the volunteers thought he was
possessed (had to do some education there). He has CP, has signs of a past head
injury and is autistic. He was not able to make eye contact with anyone nor
keep his gaze on any object at all. He did not engage with the environment
(would not respond to people, other children or toys). Was unable to do much
but sit and band his head.
 |
| Now recognizes his name |
Now
is able to reach out for toys and will even reach out for other boys. Will
smile and laugh when engaged and has limited the head banging to when he is
uncomfortable (tired, hungry, wet) Recognizes his name as he will sit up and
look around when I call his name from across the room. He will make eye contact
now for up to 5 seconds. THANKS to my OT friends, I have been able to teach the
Brothers how to calm him down with spinning and rocking. He is starting to bear
weight on his feet with help. He is not yet moving on his own but this is the
next step!
6)
Ivan: Age unknown but around 10-11. He has
CP and most likely some cognitive deficit (learning disability). Ivan always
has a smile, even when he is ill, so it has taken a bit of familiarity to
recognize when he is sick. We started out practicing kneeling and crawling. He
couldn’t maintain a 4 point (on all fours) and had to scoot along on his
bottom. He struggles to use both of his hands and cannot easily move his legs.
Ivan’s goal is to “go to school”.
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| "I want to walk!" |
Ivan can now pull up to stand on his own. He can scoot along on the 4
wheeled walker; he can walk with 1 crutch and Moderate help. He can walk in my
makeshift parallel bars with stand by assist and a lot of encouragement. He can
now crawl in a 4 point (all 4’s position). He is now speaking his needs versus
moaning or pointing.
7) Joseph: Around 8-10 yrs old. Spastic CP quad and partially blind. Non verbal initially though liked to sing. Very high energy, ADD, unable to focus and tended to bite and holler.
Now is learning to talk: Can say "My name is Joseph" Learning how to make the sign of the cross. Has many songs he loves to sing. Mimics everyone coming by and has an incredible memory for people and their names though struggles to pronounce words well. Now is walking with Min/Mod assist for 20 min or longer. Was unable to move on his own but can now scoot across the floor with encouragement. ALWAYS SMILING! Will melt your heart when he calls for you....is just as excited to see you when you walk in the dorm after being there all day as when you walk in first thing in the morning. Now, rarely bites (unless you don't respond to at least 10 calls of your name)
7) Joseph: Around 8-10 yrs old. Spastic CP quad and partially blind. Non verbal initially though liked to sing. Very high energy, ADD, unable to focus and tended to bite and holler.
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| Likes to pretend he is blowing his nose when he sees me as I have a constant one! |
Now is learning to talk: Can say "My name is Joseph" Learning how to make the sign of the cross. Has many songs he loves to sing. Mimics everyone coming by and has an incredible memory for people and their names though struggles to pronounce words well. Now is walking with Min/Mod assist for 20 min or longer. Was unable to move on his own but can now scoot across the floor with encouragement. ALWAYS SMILING! Will melt your heart when he calls for you....is just as excited to see you when you walk in the dorm after being there all day as when you walk in first thing in the morning. Now, rarely bites (unless you don't respond to at least 10 calls of your name)
There are more kids that I see daily and many
more that need attention. We can use any help that anyone wants to give…even if
only a month or two! I hope that this will inspire someone to donate their
expertise and training in helping these children.
I have very limited background in pediatrics but despite this, you can
see that utilizing basic PT problem solving can result in HUGE changes as can
be seen above!!
COME
VOLUNTEER! I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT YOU
WILL NEVER REGRET IT!
