Back in May, 2010 we posted a story of our collaborative efforts in Jacmel, Haiti post earthquake with an encouragement to come and volunteer with us. Many of you did! Many of you also have been following our facebook updates and our pictures on PThelpforHaiti.org. I thought it would now be time for an update.
The clinic operates on the campus of St. Michel Hospital and cooperates with several international, Haitian, and local organizations. We are staffed in Jacmel by an incredible US PT-Jennifer Watters and 2 Haitian rehab techs in addition to support personnel. We have rotating teams of licensed personnel from the U.S. and Canada. The efforts include a lease and guest house operation in Jacmel which is able to provide excellent housing and meals to visiting teams.
The largest current challenge is a lack of a permanent facility in Jacmel. Since the earthquake, we have operated out of a large tent and must carry all equipment to and from each day. We do not charge for equipment or care and are 100% donor supported. Many of our PT companies and sponsors are proud to list Jacmel Rehab as one of their locations.
The following story comes from Jennifer:
Partnership with ProsthetiKa to help Jacmel amputees dreams come true
Imagine walking on one leg with only one homemade wooden crutch for almost 35 years. That is what Rosimene Theodore has done since 1976 when a hurricane passed through Jacmel and flying debris broke her leg resulting in a below the knee amputation. Rosimene was referred to Jacmel rehab project in by one of our other staff members who knew told her about our work. Today, February 4, Rosemene was able to walk with two legs for the first time in decades and finally got rid of her homemade wooden crutch. And she is just one of our many success stories.
Through our partnership with ProsthetiKa, an international P&O non-for-profit organization working in Haiti out of Adventiste Hospital in Diquini, we have been able to help 10 amputees find prosthetic legs and 12 patients have been fitted with braces to correct deformities or help them to walk better. At the beginning of this month, we had our first mobile clinic with ProsthetiKa which was a great success. They were able to send a team of prosthetists down to our rehab center in Jacmel and saw over 20 patients in just two days. They took all the casts and measures and followed up on some previous patients, then went back to their workshop in Diquini (near Port-au-Prince) to actually fabricate the prosthetics and orthotics. We drove our patients up to the workshop to have the prosthetics and orthotics fitted, adjusted and delivered.
More plans are in the works for regular mobile P&O (prosthetic and orthotic) clinics in Jacmel as well as ways to reach out to the community and find other amputees who’ve been waiting for a “fo pye”.
At the mobile clinic held at our rehab center in Jacmel. They will take the cast back to their coworkshop outside Port-au-Prince where they will fabricate the braces and prostheses for our patients. We will then transport the patients up to the workshop for fitting and adjustments.
Please consider a volunteer experience with us or any of the outstanding efforts highlighted on APTA’s dedicated website to efforts in Haiti.
larry@physicaltherapist.com
