Tiffanie is awesome, again!!!
She made an awesome splint for Richard today. I’m excited
because I think he is going to make an almost full recovery. I think when he
saw Michael go home the other day he really was trying to get his leg straight.
Today, he was only lacking about 15 degrees from full extension! That’s the
best it’s been in the past 2 weeks. Tiffanie and I just hope that his parents
continue to take him to the clinic for dressing changes. Also, at that time
Tiffanie will be able to modify his splint if needed.
I took a photo with Richard. I was smiling and he was glaring in it. Haha! His mother was so excited for a photo, but it cracks me up how they never smile in photos. It reminds me of old black and white photos from 100 years ago when they wouldn't smile. I always tell them to smile, but they never will show a toothy grin. I'm the silly American, I know!
A grandmother brought her little granddaughter to the physio
room, today. The little girl who is 8 years old has epilepsy. Unfortunately, it
has caused her to become severely disable both physically and mentally. The
grandmother is no spring chicken, but manages to still carry her on her back to
town and any doctor appointments. The grandmother is getting burnt out. Her
daughter is ill herself and cannot care for the two children. What I’m going to
try and do is get the grandmother in contact with some of the people I’ve met
in Ghana to see if we can get her a wheelchair. Also, since Isaac is converting
classrooms into dorm rooms, the little girl should qualify for his school.
The grandmother has to work during the day to feed her
daughter and 2 grandchildren. The little girl is left in bed alone all day. The
little girl is only going to be left alone more as she ages since she will
become too big to carry. From a therapy standpoint, the girl really needs
adaptive equipment. She maybe can make some functional gains if she had very
involved therapy over the next 2 years, but that is just not realistic in
Ghana. Anything we can do to decrease the burden on the grandmother will
decrease the likelihood of future neglect and abuse.
After work I went to get my hair pleated (braided). I’m an
official African. Haha! My head is a little sore since I’m not use to having it
braided, but it will be good hair to have at the beach tomorrow. I had them tie
the hair with rubbers (rubber bands) in the color of Ghana’s flag! J
Before dinner we stopped to talk with the directors of Hardt
Haven and United. They are 2 NGOs in Ghana trying to create sustainable
programs. While I didn’t learn about them soon enough to really work with them,
they will be a wonderful resource for future volunteers through Therapists
without Borders! Also, I hope I can work with them on my future trips to Ghana
to create more community based education programs on correct body mechanics,
stroke treatment and prevention, exercise, etc.
We were watching the news tonight. President Mills (Ghana's president) was visiting the US. They showed his meet and greet with President Obama. It was so funny to me. Obama looks like a white man now. I guess he is just as white as he is black. It makes me understand how the Africans can't understand exactly what nationality Tiffanie is and sometimes call her white. Obama also looks old. When you can't see him on TV everyday, you really start to notice the difference.
Tomorrow we leave at 4 am to go to Cape Coast! I finally get
to do real touristy stuff in Ghana! I can’t believe I just have one week left!
Love, Kari
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