Hohoe Hospital

In case anyone is wondering, Zambia won the African Cup in an overtime shoot out. No one scored a goal during the game or during overtime, but it was a really good defensive game. I enjoyed watching it.

Today, I went to visit Cinderella, the physical therapist at Hohoe Hospital. I met her during the CEU course in Kofurida. Her clinic was not very busy today, but it was nice sitting and discussing patients with her. Despite the limitations, she does a really good job treating her patients. She is very dedicated to her job. I think her and I would be great friends if we lived in the same city. She is about my age and not yet married so we relate well to each other. I think in Ghana there is even more pressure to be married by 28 then in the USA. Obviously, we haven't met the right person yet so that's why we are single! We've waited this long so we are not going to settle either!!! Haha!

We saw an 11 year old girl today who is having left side hemiplegia (partial paralysis of her left arm and leg). The girl had meningitis in the fall. Her brain was injured from it. She presents very similar to a stroke patient. The girl's family does not understand her condition and so they have not been very active in bringing her to therapy. The girl is doing well and will live a pretty functional life; however, her left hand may never regain movement. It is hard to know if she would have had better results if she had consistent therapy. Also, despite the little girl being able to walk on her own, the family was carrying her everywhere until a month ago. Families often think that an illness like a stroke means a person can never do anything on their own again. However, that is not true. Yes, most people will have some lingering physical impairment, but with activity modifications people can become functional individuals again. The girl has not returned to school. I really hope she gets a chance to start going. Cinderella said she would talk to the mother. They are Muslim and so there are some cultural differences that Cinderella may not be aware of that may be keeping her from school, too. It is hard for me to hear about children stopping school at such a young age. Education is an equalizer here. If she does not receive an education she is much more likely to live a life of poverty. Also, her physical deficits will stigmatize her even more! I hope I am helping breakdown these barriers a little even though one trip is not enough!

Tomorrow, I will visit Hohoe again. Tuesdays are much busier so there should be more patients to write about.

Love, Kari