Bravery

We are all works in progress. We all learn something every day. This week many of the children have made significant progress. It has been neat to see the change. After many tearful and loud (screaming) attempts a day for several days, they overcome their fear and walk around with the walker at will. Once they figure it out, they often ask to get up on their own. Two of the little ones who were on the ward at the same time journeyed together walking and learning to trust. One was up often walking in the hall. She went home walking with just one hand held assistance and could stand alone without a walker. Such transformation. She also had transformation from a screamer to a cutie who gave high fives, brought many laughs, smiles, and hugs. We will see her again in a few weeks to change her cast and see how the bones are healing.

Mercy Ships photo credit

Overwrapping a cast. Photo credit Mercy Ships

Another young boy who would scream if you simply looked at him when walking past is now walking well with a walker. I was praying for a technique to help him overcome his fear of falling. One day, I decided to lower him down to the ground every time he did not keep his balance. I continued to ask if he was OK and if he was in pain. After he responded,  "No," we got back up and tried again. When I walked by the ward that evening, I saw him up walking around with the other children with a smile on his face. I am reminded of a quote my mom would say, "Triumph is simply trying with Umph behind it." This is what he did.

Mercy Ships photo credit

Another girl who is a bit older has also been fearful with anything new. She and her mom are good sports and let me practice my Malagasy with them. It usually brings a large smile and a laugh to their face prior to their response. She has rarely shed a tear, but she expresses her emotions on her face. She has done well with looking up at a sticker of her choosing to encourage walking with her head up. Today she progressed from walking with a walker to walking with forearm crutches. Mom and her were very happy. Her confidence will continue to build with the new mobility devices. She saw her pre-op and post op xrays side by side and was amazed at the difference.

Admisson Day (Mercy Ship photo credit)

Walking to the ship on the big day. Mercy Ships photo credit

Mariette has also been working hard. I was so glad to see her beautiful smile return after a couple of difficult days. Today she was up and walking with crutches and strengthening her non surgical leg all while teaching me a couple of words in French.

Today, I too progressed. I began learning how to wedge casts. It is a technique used to achieve the final correction of alignment in tibial osteotomies. The correction achieve in surgery is usually to neutral. Before they go home about 2 weeks after surgery, we wedge (open) their casts on one side to push the bone into overcorrection. This insures that as the bone heals they will remain in neutral alignment rather than return to the position prior to surgery.

Another change which has been great to see it the changing of the foot position in patients with clubfeet. I have been surprised the difference in the feet from week to week. I hope you enjoyed a peak into some of what the Rehab team has been doing.

The children get to have fun too. (Mercy Ships Photo Credit)