Teaching at LLU/UNAH Adaptation and Implementation of Devices

I had the wonderful opportunity of teach the Adaptation and Implementation of Devices-course at LLU/UNAH Rehab Tech program this past week. This was a 1 week intensive college level course. The Rehab Tech class had 1 students plus 2-3 previous graduates who came back to learn what I was teaching. I was blessed to have Carlos come along with me for the week to help me train

Monday

I taught cardboard Carpentry and it was a Success. In the morning the students learned all about the history, techniques, and skills. 

Then in the afternoon they practiced making triwall (which we used to make a bench on tuesday), ripping paper for edging, practiced edging, and made wooden nails. The students were very engaged and excited to learn. Big thank you to carlos for finishing teaching lab while I ran to Gressier to get supplies . A Huge thank you to Sally Todd and Ashley Kahila and Haiti Made for saving me with cardboard and PVC connectors, foam, and buckets we desperately needed for the week.

Tuesday

I taught APT (Appropriate Paper Technology) and Cardboard Carpentry

In the Morning the students presented a piece of equipment they would like to make out of cardboard and answered questions related to that piece of equipment. Then they learned about APT followed by finishing the bench they started to make the day before in lab.

In the Afternoon the students brought to life their idea of a piece of equipment and made a mock-up mini version that was made out of single layer cardboard piece of equipment. They worked so hard and were so creative. I am so proud! The projects ranged from wheelchair, chairs, Card, AFOs... Tomorrow they will use APT techniques and cover their projects and reinforce.

Check out their projects….

Wednesday

Carlos taught the rehab students in the morning about making adaptive equipment out of PVC pipe, bucket chairs, and Haitian adapted chairs.  Thursday  the students will use what they have learned the first 3 days of class to run a clinic. The goal is to see and make equipment for 10 children 

Lab- the students covered their cardboard carpentry projects with APT techniques. Some of the students ripped up old paper and the other students made a flour/water paste. They then covered their projects using the specific APT layering techniques.

 

THURSDAY

In the morning the students worked really hard to run a clinic where they evaluated 6 kids, decided what equipment they needed and then made the equipment and educated family on how to use.

Then in the afternoon only 1 of the 5 children showed up for clinic. So all 16 students worked together for 4 hours and blessed this family BIG time. They stayed 2.5 hours late to finish. The students worked together to make a bucket chair, with a stand, tabletop and toy hanger.

He also had 2 custom hand braces made. So much hard work and creativity went into making this chair! This sweet boy totally has the coolest chair in Haiti.

FRIDAY

Friday morning the students reviewed for their final and then took the final. Friday was not just the end of my class but the end of the semester and the end of class for them. When they return after break they will be heading out on their 1^st level 2 clinical placement

These Awsome students worked so hard all week to make these therapy projects using cardboard carpentry and APT techniques. They came up with a piece of equipment they would like to try to make and did it! Unfortunately we didn't have time to do the last 3 steps...prime, paint/decorate and put polyurethane on. But they can do that on their own. They took such pride in their projects!

GREAT Week of Teaching!

Thanksgiving in Haiti

I had the joy and privilege of spending thanksgiving in Haiti with the kids.  I may not have had a traditional thanksgiving but I did have a good one celebrating with the kids. In the morning the little guys watched Charlie Brown thanksgiving then another movie while eating pudding.

And then in evening the older kids had popcorn and enjoyed Charlie Brown.  Stephanie and I had little treats throughout the day including pumpkin spice muffins, potatoes/chicken/veggies, and for dinner we had yummy wraps. The day was very low key as we had horrible rain all day which made for a perfect day to just hang with and love on the kids.

Ti-Carlos loved popcorn and movie!

There were lots of smiles from all the kids!

The kids (with the help of Stephanie) made a video of what they are thankful for. LOVE this video brings a big smile to my face every time I watch it.

THANK YOU!!! To each and everyone of you who participated in our THANKSGIVING CHALLENGE and donated $ to help us buy everyday needed supplies for the kids at the Miriam Center like soap, shampoo, baby powder, etc. at a cheaper place and ship in thus helping us save hundreds of dollars a month. 

HAOT UPDATE: Electing Officers

November 21^st  was a History making day in the world of OT in Haiti. We held our first official meeting for the National Haiti Association of Occupational Therapy (HAOT) We had 9 members present and 1 joined by Skype. We elected our executive board...

President- Autumn Marshall

Vice President- Ivens Louius

Secretary- Janet O'Flynn

Treasurer- Ashley Kahila

Delegate for Haiti for WFOT- Consuelo Alzamora Muñoz

Alternate Delegate: Autumn Marshall

We added a French name to our association, filled out our application to apply to the WFOT (World Federation of Occupational Therapy) so that hopefully in March Haiti will be a recognized as a associate member of WFOT! This is the first step in the process of getting FSRL OT program accredited through WFOT.

What an EXCITING day!

Delegate and Alternate Delegate for Haiti

NEXT STEPS: In March our Delegate and possibly our Alternate Delegate will head to Columbia, South America to attend the next regional WFOT meeting in which our constitution will be voted on for acceptance as well as the curriculum for the new school in Leogane to receive accretidation. This is HUGE! That all in the same year we can apply for Haiti to receive full membership with the WFOT which means that Haiti has a National OT society and a bachelor level OT program that meets the WFOT accreditation standards.

The meeting was held at FSRL in Leogane. FSRL is the new (and first) 4 year OT/PT bachelors program that has opened it Haiti. It was wonderful to take a tour of the campus and to meet some of the students. So glad I got to meet the 2 student Heather Meyer Gabaud and Papito have helped go to school.

Today I had the wonderful opportunity of visiting FSRL which is the new (and first) 4 year OT/PT bachelors program that has opened it Haiti. It was wonderful to take a tour of the campus and to meet some of the students. So glad I got to meet the 2 student Heather Meyer Gabaud and Papito have helped go to school. This is also where we held the first official HAiti Association of Occupational Therapy (HAOT) today.

White River Church Visit

It is always a joy to have the White River Church Team at the mission. They have such a heart and passion for the Miriam Center and loving on the kids, staff, and outreach families. Unfortunately they were at the mission the same week at the orthopedic surgery team as well as Phoenix Rising the big orthopedic/Prosthetic/PT team. I did not get to spend a lot of time with team but I did get to see the results of their ministry.

Every day of the week they spent time pouring into the children of the Miriam Center. Playing with them, loving on them, helping to feed them, singing to and with them, playing soccer with the boys, leading worship in the classroom, etc. I know that every single one of the Miriam Center children felt loved and valued during the week. They took the kids to the beach and held a BIG dance party on the patio.

They spent time pouring into the staff at the Miriam Center. They know how hard they work and wanted to make sure they felt appreciated and loved. They had a party for the staff that involved decorating flip flops, making bracelets, receiving pedicures, and ending with food. They also wanted to care for them emotionally and know that over the last years they have had to grieve the loss of many children. They know that our workers don’t just treat the Miriam Center as a job but that they pour their heart and soul into their work and see each of the kids as their own. So White River watched the kids while the staff got to go meet with the psychologist that came with the group. 

They also spent time loving on the outreach families. They took the outreach to the beach one morning. The families and the kids had so much fun. 

Not only did they come for a week and pour physically, spiritually and emotionally into the Miriam Center but brought 30 bags of supplies. They carried in so many supplies for the Miriam Center from diapers to nutrition food to christmas for each child. They also carried in ductape, wheels, 2 wheelchairs and a Stander for the therapy room. THANK YOU does not seem enough for the number of lives they impacted! Jean can now get around more comfortably, Andy can sit more comfortably and many of the children who did not have the opportunity to stand can now stand in the new stander.