Monday

On Monday the Canadian IFPD group headed to Les Cayes to work in a prosthetic shop which is attached to a hospital. Monday they were busy making prosthetics for many of the amputees in Les Cayes. They had a long drive down there and will return to Port-au-Prince on Friday. It was a pretty great day. They saw 7 new amputees. Jana befriended a 5 year old girl. There was a lot of sorting and Jana sewed shower curtains for the rehab facility, which she enjoyed. Jamin is also with IFPD and came on Monday. He brought over 90 lbs of titanium and prosthetic components and 80 lb. of feet . Of course he was stopped at each airline security point on his way here.

Jamin had a wonderful day once he arrived safely from the airport. His luggage made it mostly intact with only one piece of luggage duck-taped together. He had an extraordinary opportunity to meet a man by the name of Lorne. Lorne has given up his retirement and moved to Haiti in March to help the Haitians build sustainable wood housing through a soon to be self-sustaining program he originated. Jamin spent the day doing construction with John, a Haitian employee of Healing Hands. John lost his home in the earthquake and he and Jamin spent the day working on laying cement and framing his new home. It was an amazing experience that allowed Jamin to become immersed in the wonderful Haitian culture doing something that he loves so much.

The therapy clinic outside of the hospital was very busy on Monday. Melanie-OT and Suzie-OT stayed very busy. Suzie saw a new stroke patient. Mikayel-a physiotherapist from Haiti, followed up on all of the physical therapy treatments that had been started with patients returning for treatment.

The hospital clinic was extremely busy on Monday after a very late start to the day. There were some delays because of the newly instituted changes from the Department of Ministry. Once the group was cleared to work, they were very busy trying to see over 40 patients before the clinic closed. Jan and Vickie, HHH support, and a group of Canadian pre-med students were wonderful help for the group as they tried to see so many patients. Many of the same complaints from previous clinics were seen. A mother brought her lethargic infant to be seen and it was promptly recognized that the child needed the emergency room. The group that was assisting in funding previous hospitalizations was now depleted, so the group gathered money to pay for the emergency room visit. It is very interesting the way the health care system is run here. No pay . . . no stay. It doesn’t matter how critical. We are so blessed to have such great healthcare in the states.

Monday evening gave the group an opportunity to follow up with the man in the village with the lacerated foot. Our Swiss doctor was able to accompany the nurses to the village to do wound care. The man was instructed on proper care of his foot, the wound was thoroughly cleansed and dressed using donated medical supplies, and a donated antibiotic was given to the man to reduce and prevent further infection.

Sunday

Many team members arrived on Sunday and some left. Kathy-OT and Gail-MD left for home. Linneah-PT and her husband Egan-interpreter, were supposed to have left Sunday, but were delayed until Monday due to the Spirit Airlines strike. A nurse from Utah, Kristi, a group of Canadians, and a group from Switzerland were the Sunday arrivals. Kristi will be working with the clinic group. The group of Swiss personnel that came in Sunday consisted of a Physical Medicine Physician, a nurse, a physical therapist, occupational therapist, and researcher. Our Canadians are: AJ-Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist, Jana-support, Michael-Certified Prosthetits/Orthotist, Dan-Prosthetic Tech, and Lisa-support. AJ and Jana are co-founders of the International Foundation for the Physically Disabled (IFPD) that have come to work with Healing Hands for Haiti.

Sunday was a free day where several went to church and some went walking. It was very hot and humid and many people slept to try an catch up from the lack of sleep during the week. Linneah, Egan, Deb, Stacie, and Dan befriended a family on their walk who had adopted a 10 year old boy. Later on that evening they returned to the village of Bidaun with shoes with a few more people. At this time they met a man who had stepped on a broken bottle and severely lacerated his foot a few days earlier. The nurses and interpreter were able to explain to the man how to clean the wound and that they would plan on returning Monday to again clean and dress the wound. The laceration was severe enough to need debridement and closure. However, with no money for shoes, there was no money for surgery. We take so much for granted in America with heath care.