Day 4

Today was another great day working with the kids at Little Brothers! We started the day with a tour of the entire facility, including the 7 Montessori one room school buildings and the trade school for the middle schoolers. We were amazed by the opportunities offered to these children who have been given so little earlier in their lives (and especially appreciative of the pastry chef program and its samples!). We spent the rest of the day working with the special needs children and wrapping up our projects from yesterday. Luckily we fit in lots of outside play and some crafting with the kids before saying goodbye and thank you to our new friends at Little Brothers. After work, a few of us ventured out in Antigua to enjoy the sights. We are excited for tomorrow to have some more time to enjoy this beautiful country! Hasta Manyana!
Anne Simonton, OTR/L


The group of students and therapists who went to Missions saw 12 children at the clinic today. This location has the structure, similar to outpatient clinics in the US which was unexpected by the students. The therapists had the opportunity to be at Missions yesterday so we were more efficient in offering suggestions for the parents and therapists with each child. One of the children we saw today was 2 1/2 years old but had the developmental skills of a 2 month old and was very small for his age. He has had a rough past, battling 5 heart attacks, cleft palate, underdeveloped esophagus, n-g feeding tube, and 3 surgeries. He had very limited movement and strength. With the therapy interventions we were able to get him to quiet down (he had been crying most of the time), he was able to roll from his back to his stomach, he was reaching and grasping for a toy. He made amazing progress during that time. Additionally, we enjoyed the time with children and then 3 therapists from Cincinnati (including Joan), several students and their physical therapist, occupational therapist, sensory therapist and speech therapists all sat and shared ideas as well as information. This was a great opportunity to expand all of our understanding. Meanwhile two of the therapists were battling with the computers and printer with MUCH frustration. We just LOVE technology, especially when it works. The computers from Xavier have not been friendly.

Our new experience today was inviting the students from the occupational and physical therapy program (yes a combined program) and their two professors to dinner. They stayed for about 3 hours total including the time at dinner. All of the students had a "rambunctionally fun" time with conversations in "spanglish" (at least for some of the students and therapists). Thankfully, we had wonderful interpreters who stayed for dinner and to help with the conversations.
Joan (faculty)
Lia (student)
Emily Mertz, Occupational Therapist, AKA The Ghost Writer