Community Visits

Today we drove about an hour to two different villages to work with patients who otherwise may not have been able to be seen at chidamoyo hospital. We brought Brighton (the rehab tech), Makaza (the driver), four yoga mats, and some therapy toys. At the first village we set up camp on the floor of a classroom at the school. The second village welcomed us in the shade of a tree in the field and we set up the mats on the floor to treat. At both locations we saw all ages and a myriad of conditions. Diagnosis included: cerebral palsy, speech disorder, delayed motor development, speech disorders, hydrocephalus, HIV, developmental delays, burns, and orthopedic conditions. Some of these conditions were outside of scope of practice and so we worked with Brighton to refer to other providers or organizations.

 A young girl with L elbow burn contractures. We taught her self scar massage and stretching techniques. you can see Anne and Kendra working hard in the background. 

 A photo with the village healthcare workers of the nearby villages. 

Brighton mentioned that the community visits are particularly valuable for children with disabilities because often the families are hesitant to bring the children in to seek traditional care due to stigmas, and that the community visits  allow children to be treated in the environment where they and their families feel most comfortable,  and provide awareness education to reduce the stigma.

At the second village, we set up yoga mats under a tree and treated patients there. Only a few spiders visited...

After returning from a full day of community visits we finished up the day in the hospital treating 5 more patients. Overall it was a successful and exhausting day.

 Chidamoyo Christian Hospital with Brighton, the Rehab Technician.

Kendra teaching this mother exercises to help her daughter begin rolling and crawling. She is using the therapy doll to demonstrate because this little girl was very shy.