Terapia en Arequipa

Family and friends,
I´m finding it difficult to summarize all the stories and emotions that we have experienced since we arriving. We have been in Arequipa for almost 1 week and it really feels more like 1 month. The nurses in the clinic have been organizing all the children who they feel like could use my services. This is difficult at times because the majority of the people here do not have phones in their homes. Well, they must have done something right because we had so many kids show up on Friday that we had to tell some to come back this week. Beau and I worked together on Friday which was really helpful because his Spanish is much better than mine. Between the two of us we can usually piece together what the parents are trying to tell us. We saw a variety of patients, two with cerebral palsy, 1 with club feet, 1 with muscular dystrophy, 2 with overall developmental delay. Many of these families received therapy services at some point, but can no longer afford it or it is too difficult to get to from their homes. These people are incredibly motivated to learn anything that will help their children. I am wishing now that I was an occupational therapist, speech therapist, physical therapist, and orthotist all rolled into one. There is so much these children need it is hard to know where to begin. I have been focusing my energies on basic range of motion and positioning techniques. Many children and adults here need prosthetics or orthotics and mobility devices such as walkers and canes. The clinic here does have some walkers and canes, but not nearly as much as is needed. Friday was more like an intake day just to get to know the needs of these families. Many are going to return tomorrow or Wednesday.

Beau and I were introduced at mass yesterday, which was pretty much like free advertising for the clinic. We had several people approach us afterward with stories about their friends, children, or neighbors who could use our help. All we could say (in broken Spanish of course) was to come to the clinic. The clinic where we are working costs 3 soles per visit (about $1) and has a sliding scale for medications. This is much less expensive than many of the other clinics in the area. Following the mass, the school near by had a presentation to celebrate la dia de patria. This weekend was a time to celebrate the city of Arequipa. They sold local food and the children participated in traditional dances. It was pretty impressive. Like an idiot, I did not remember the camera. I just figured that I would not need a camera to go to church. I am gradually learning that here, there are amazing photo opporutunities in the most unlikely places.

This morning I joined the local social worker on some home visits. The poverty level here is astounding. The organization who runs the clinic also provides about 600 meals per day for the residents of Alto Cayma (the part of Arequipa where we are staying). I met one woman today who has so much pain in her joints from arthritis that she can no longer walk. However, she does not have money for pain medication or for a walker. She has one son who attends school and tries to work as much as he can. Between the two of them they get one meal per day. The social worker told me that this woman´s son is very small because they cannot afford enough food for him. I am going to talk to the clinic about donating a walker to her as well pain medication. We visited another family who has a year and half year old who has a seizure disorder. This child had around 10 seizures during the time we were there. She has many more throughout the day and at night. Her mother was very concerned because the medication they have for her is very expensive and they are almost out of it. The medication costs approximately $30, which is an incredible amount of money for this family. She is very behind in her gross motor development. She does not tolerate being on her tummy, she does cannot sit or keep her head up independently. With her frequent seizures she is very lethargic, which doesn´t leave much energy for motor or social development. I´m worried that she is not on the correct medication for her type of seizures, but I don´t believe they have access to much else here, and even if they did, this family would not be able to afford it. They are going to try to come in to see Beau on Thursday. In the meantime one of our housemates and I are going to go into town to buy a boppy pillow or two (breastfeeding pillow) to try to get her into more of a sitting position for interataction and for trunk and head control. However, from a therapy perspèctive, there´s not a lot I can do until those seizures are better under control.

I know that these are some heavy thoughts. I think this blog is turning into as much an outlet for me to deal with what I´ve seen here as much as a way to share the events of our trip. I also think it´s important for you all to know about the existence of these people. It has been such an amazing experience to step outside of my world and realize how much I really have. Despite the poverty here, the people are warm and trusting. I am welcomed into every home I enter. The children run up and hug us or blow us kisses. I am quite impressed with the fact that although in many ways the need is greater here than where we live in the states, the sense of community is greater in many ways as well.

Love to you all!
Deedra