Today we had a full and adventurous day. First of all, we are all safe and have not been affected by any mudslides. Our drivers and team leaders are constantly evaluating road conditions and weather in order to adapt as needed. Today we actually had sunshine for the first time since Sunday! If you don’t hear from us it is not due to any problems. We have been extremely busy and our wi-fi comes and goes.

We had a busy day at Daryl’s home. We set up a community health clinic, serving approximately 29 clients between our team of 4 therapists and 4 students. We treated a variety of clients and diagnoses – anxiety, fractures, strokes, cerebral palsy, back pain, etc. We were really forced to think on our feet and be creative while tapping into both our ability to address emotional and physical needs. Our students did a great job immersing themselves and becoming involved in the problem solving process. We met many clients with stories of their struggles to care for themselves and their families. Despite these struggles, they remained hopeful and were extremely grateful for any services we could provide.

Today was another busy but great day at Missionaries of the Highway. In the wheelchair room we saw five children with ages ranging from three to nine, most of which had Cerebral Palsy. I (Jillian) was exposed to so many new things today as I helped our practitioners dismantle and rebuild these wheelchairs in order to ensure the child was comfortable and properly positioned. The love and adoration the parents have for their children was extremely evident today as many of them waited for over two hours while we worked on their chairs. One particular patient we saw today sticks out in my mind because of the way he affirmed my decision to pursue a career in occupational therapy. This boy was nine years old with Cerebral Palsy, and he used a walker in the home in order to move around. His mother brought him to Missionaries today in a wheelchair that she used solely to transport him. We tried out a new chair for him that would allow him to self-propel with his hands. The second he was positioned in the chair he reached for the wheels and began to push himself around the clinic. The look of pure joy on his face is something that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my career.

After our work day, we visited Rafael Landivar University’s combined PT and OT program. They welcomed us to observe their classes. We watched group presentations on evaluating joint and muscle injuries. They attend clinicals in the mornings and attend classes from 2-5:30 pm. The students then joined us for dinner at our hotel where we were able to exchange how PT and OT are practiced within Guatemala and the United States. We each learned a lot about the differences that exist, including the challenges and positive aspects. For example, while the PT’s and OT’s in Guatemala lack many resources, they feel a strong connection to their patients and feel they can have a great impact on the lives of people who lack access to many forms of medical care. They report feeling appreciated and respected by their clients, who often look up to them and value their opinions.

Tomorrow we are off for new adventures, learning about Guatemalan culture at a local high school!


Marimily Thomas, OTR/L
Jillian Smith, OT student