Tuesday, June 14

Hola!

Tuesday was our second day at the orphanages, the sensory team visited Marina Guirola and the wheelchair/tech team visited Anini, then both teams met up at Hogar Amor Del Nino. We spent a half day at each orphanage and squeezed as much as possible into our a few short hours.

At Marina Guirola, we provided sensory motor input to several children, provided education and hands on training to the caregivers to support positioning, safe feeding, and swallowing. We were also lucky to collaborate with Marina Guirola’s physical therapist. A few highlights included, helping Gustavo stand (if you read the blog last year then you may recognize his name and face), giving him a communication device with voice output and using prolonged positioning with stretches to facilitate relaxation in our friend Ingrid’s right arm.

At Anini, we were able to distribute/modify 8 wheelchairs in our short amount of time, as well as educate the Tias regarding wheelchair modifications, proper positioning, and techniques to assist in carryover once we left. A few children were absolutely thrilled to receive their wheelchairs, especially one 'little guy' Freddy - whose eyes lit up as soon as he saw his Hot Wheels wheelchair. Therapists and students worked extremely hard to practically tear down and rebuild a few chairs, which was quite a feat and learning experience for all. Its amazing how much a team of 12 can get done in less than 4 hours - especially when tools, drills, and suitcases full of random wheelchair parts are involved!

There was so much to do and so little time but we really felt like we made differences that can be carried over into their everyday lives. The joy on the kid’s faces was captured beautifully in the pictures below.

Renee and Gustavo trialing his new communication device

Sensory team problem solving during lunch regarding swallowing with Gaby

After Stephanie & Natalie completed Freddy's fitting for his new Hot Wheels wheelchair - which he can propel independently forwards and backward! Talk about independence :)



The wheelchair/tech team at Anini

The Xavier "X" proudly painted on the walls of Anini

At Hogar Amor Del Nino, we played and interacted with approximately 50 children, ranging from infancy to 12 years old. Always the best part of our jobs!! Most of the children were typically developing; however, a few of them needed our expertise for problem solving through Mama Sheryll’s concerns. We positioned babies to support use of the non-preferred side of her body. We assessed cognitive status of an abandoned infant and encouraged lots of belly time. We got to observe a room full of toddlers and older children during mealtime and all of their messy fun! It’s hard to believe they can fit them all in a room.

Overall, we observed many very loving, concerned, and willing to learn caregivers at both orphanages. It was as hard for us to leave as it was for them to see us go. Tomorrow head to a Mayan village, called Berhorst, to begin yet another adventure.

(P.S. - fear not family and friends, despite almost smashing into the car in front of us we all survived and made it to our destinations - welcome to Guatemalan driving!)

Renee & Stephanie (terapistas)
Brie & Lauren (estudiantes)