As usual, I spent a long time preparing to present something that ended up being scrapped anyway! I meant to present for at least 45 minutes on visual aids for expressive/receptive language, but we miscommunicated about where we would meet for the session and started a full half hour late. However, we did end up doing a full 2 hours anyway, and I think it went well.
Having skipped that part of the lesson, we quickly reviewed that communication is based upon expressive/receptive language, then dove right into how to use their limited material/toys to target many areas of development at all levels of difficulty. This brought on many other areas that I didn't expect to talk about or teach, such as how to contain a child who cannot stay seated, pay attention, or even keep hands down. Celeste and I demonstrated how to position ourselves and one or more children who are wild, and how to use immediate reinforcement and praise. We also talked about using the toys and a token system to increase kids' ability to work. The teachers listened, observed, asked questions, and finally paired up to practice these techniques. Then each pair took it in turns to present to the class what they practiced and learned, and we reviewed what the teachers did well and discussed areas of improvement.
It was a great time for all; the information seemed to have been well-received and it was great to see them try out what we just talked about. Definitely a very rewarding day. Tomorrow I'll follow up and see if the teachers can incorporate the lessons immediately into real time situations where kids are pulling hairs and throwing toys, rather than the laugh fest we had with teachers only pretending.
It's been a great week overall. Even though we didn't really have exact plans for my visit, I think it worked well for me to have observed each class for part of the day each day, then taken that and turned it into some valuable lessons for the teachers. It wouldn't have been as respectful or productive if I had just dropped in and tried to push my agenda without having seen what they're up against, absorbed their culture a bit, or determined their current abilities.
I hope to never get tired of being a travel therapist. And I hope to be able to give others the same rewarding experience and knowledge exchange soon, with Therapists Without Borders. This is what it's all about.
Neuroplasticity: changes that occur in the brain as the result of experience
Showing posts with label peru. Show all posts
Showing posts with label peru. Show all posts
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Cusco 5-day summary
March 2 - Chicago to Mexico City. 11:20pm flight to Lima, Peru, was canceled. Stuck in Mexico for 24 hrs.
March 3 - Fun sightseeing Mexico City. Caught next 11:20pm flight to Lima.
March 4 - Lima into Cusco 9:15am. Very quick tour of Camino Nuevo's campus (but no school in session yet), quick lunch with Director of Manos Unidas, who suggested I take the next couple days to adjust to the high altitude, culture, language, and jetlag. So I napped till evening's dinner party with said Director and her friends.
March 5 - Walked around San Blas area of Cusco and took a "city tour" of 5 archeological sites.
March 6 - With Director & her friends to Pisaq's Carnival festival, during which children enjoy throwing water balloons, dumping buckets of water, and squirting water guns and spraying foam on people... Loved it!
March 7 - FINALLY spent the day meeting staff and students at Camino Nuevo! First day of school back from break; Came home more fulfilled and excited than 3 days of being a tourist. This will definitely be a primary destination for professional therapist volunteers. They are receptive to outside assistance, have a vast list of needs, and have plenty of work for any therapist. I still would love to get trained Spanish interpreters for therapists involved!!!!
Today I only spent assisting in 3 classrooms. In one class, the teacher was feeding a child with severe cerebral palsy when I came in. His head was rolled to the side and he was tied to a wooden upright chair so he wouldn't fall over. She reported that he doesn't chew and drools a lot. Boy am I glad (or, boy are they lucky) that I've got a dysphagia background. I taught the teacher how to support his head and body upright (since his wheelchair is too heavy to bring from home, apparently), use a smaller spoon with a soft tip, mash/puree all food, present only a half teaspoon amount, have him help hold the spoon and watch it approach his own mouth, and activate his lips to clear the bolus rather than bite on the spoon... And lo and behold, he chewed and swallowed and minimized drool almost to none, and feeding was a happy experience now he gets to participate. I also taught the teacher how to clean his mouth after each meal (which is extremely important since all his teeth looked like cavities, his gums were 100% inflamed as well as his cheeks... You betcha I said he HAS to be seen by a dentist ASAP), and how to give him drinks (using a sippy cup instead of from an open cup)
In another classroom with children with autism and down's syndrome, things were ... out of hand. Kids (about 6-7 years old) were putting blocks and toys in their mouths, one kid kept grabbing and pulling and trying to bite another kid's hair, another pulled his pants down to indicate he needed the toilet, another freaked out (tears, screaming, jumping, pulling others' hair and clothes) for no apparent reason and couldn't be calmed... There's a lot of work to be done... And finally I observed the afternoon class with the young adults, and helped a bit there too (though it was very calm in comparison hehe)
The plan now is that Tuesday I'll observe and help the rest of the classes.
Wednesday I'll actually go out into the rural villages to see how ThWB therapists can support families in the homes and communities.
Thursday afternoon I'll host a workshop for the teachers on communication and the many ways to use toys to teach different lessons (esp. regarding expressive/receptive language).
Friday I suppose I'll wrap things up in the classes, and in the evening I'll take a train up to Machu Picchu to spend the night.
Saturday Machu Picchu and then return in the evening.
Sunday all day outdoor rock climbing!
Monday fly back to Chicago via Lima and Mexico City again...
Tuesday finally arrive home.
I do have a lot of pictures, but as I am quite exhausted and slightly overwhelmed tonight, I'll post them another day. Buenas noches!
March 3 - Fun sightseeing Mexico City. Caught next 11:20pm flight to Lima.
March 4 - Lima into Cusco 9:15am. Very quick tour of Camino Nuevo's campus (but no school in session yet), quick lunch with Director of Manos Unidas, who suggested I take the next couple days to adjust to the high altitude, culture, language, and jetlag. So I napped till evening's dinner party with said Director and her friends.
March 5 - Walked around San Blas area of Cusco and took a "city tour" of 5 archeological sites.
March 6 - With Director & her friends to Pisaq's Carnival festival, during which children enjoy throwing water balloons, dumping buckets of water, and squirting water guns and spraying foam on people... Loved it!
March 7 - FINALLY spent the day meeting staff and students at Camino Nuevo! First day of school back from break; Came home more fulfilled and excited than 3 days of being a tourist. This will definitely be a primary destination for professional therapist volunteers. They are receptive to outside assistance, have a vast list of needs, and have plenty of work for any therapist. I still would love to get trained Spanish interpreters for therapists involved!!!!
Today I only spent assisting in 3 classrooms. In one class, the teacher was feeding a child with severe cerebral palsy when I came in. His head was rolled to the side and he was tied to a wooden upright chair so he wouldn't fall over. She reported that he doesn't chew and drools a lot. Boy am I glad (or, boy are they lucky) that I've got a dysphagia background. I taught the teacher how to support his head and body upright (since his wheelchair is too heavy to bring from home, apparently), use a smaller spoon with a soft tip, mash/puree all food, present only a half teaspoon amount, have him help hold the spoon and watch it approach his own mouth, and activate his lips to clear the bolus rather than bite on the spoon... And lo and behold, he chewed and swallowed and minimized drool almost to none, and feeding was a happy experience now he gets to participate. I also taught the teacher how to clean his mouth after each meal (which is extremely important since all his teeth looked like cavities, his gums were 100% inflamed as well as his cheeks... You betcha I said he HAS to be seen by a dentist ASAP), and how to give him drinks (using a sippy cup instead of from an open cup)
In another classroom with children with autism and down's syndrome, things were ... out of hand. Kids (about 6-7 years old) were putting blocks and toys in their mouths, one kid kept grabbing and pulling and trying to bite another kid's hair, another pulled his pants down to indicate he needed the toilet, another freaked out (tears, screaming, jumping, pulling others' hair and clothes) for no apparent reason and couldn't be calmed... There's a lot of work to be done... And finally I observed the afternoon class with the young adults, and helped a bit there too (though it was very calm in comparison hehe)
The plan now is that Tuesday I'll observe and help the rest of the classes.
Wednesday I'll actually go out into the rural villages to see how ThWB therapists can support families in the homes and communities.
Thursday afternoon I'll host a workshop for the teachers on communication and the many ways to use toys to teach different lessons (esp. regarding expressive/receptive language).
Friday I suppose I'll wrap things up in the classes, and in the evening I'll take a train up to Machu Picchu to spend the night.
Saturday Machu Picchu and then return in the evening.
Sunday all day outdoor rock climbing!
Monday fly back to Chicago via Lima and Mexico City again...
Tuesday finally arrive home.
I do have a lot of pictures, but as I am quite exhausted and slightly overwhelmed tonight, I'll post them another day. Buenas noches!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Therapists Without Borders: Spring 2011 Research & Development
Dear Friends,
Therapists Without Borders (ThWB) will take its inaugural research and development trip this spring to several rural villages that we have identified as focus points as we begin our work to bring highly skilled, trained therapists to villages with diagnostic and treatment needs. For at least three months, I will travel to Peru, India, Kenya, and Ghana. Each development site has been carefully reviewed by our team of advisors and partners, and our initial work is dependent on my visiting each site personally, to connect with the in-country staff, analyze the specific needs of the community, and determine together how ThWB can best support them. Furthermore, thanks to a new partnership established with Whirlwind Wheelchair International, I will also assess and measure candidates for RoughRider wheelchairs.
1. Cuzco, Peru
Trip length: 2 weeks
Organization: Manos Unidas Peru
I’d like to learn from this organization because it is successfully doing, on a local level, what ThWB aims to do at a global level. People with disabilities in Peru are seen as burdens, cursed, worthless, just like they are in Kenya and Ghana. Very few children with special needs get an education, as they are thought to be hopeless cases. Manos Unidas is working to desensitize the communities to people with disabilities, to instill a sense of value in them, and to train local people to become self-sustaining. The desire for a bilateral partnership is also there: they want to receive therapist volunteers as much as I want to send them.
2. Kolkata, India
Trip length: 2 weeks
Organization: New Light India
New Light is a safe house "to protect and educate young girls, children and women at high risk” of sex trafficking. I will explain to the program staff how ThWB volunteer counselors and social workers can help their girls and young women with their social/emotional development, coping skills, conflict resolutions, and identification of any psychological issues resulting from trauma. In the future, I would like to see to set up training programs for locals to do the counseling on their own.
3. Western Kenya
Trip length: 3 weeks
Organizations: Dago Dala Hera, Namunyak Maasai Welfare, Sister Freda’s Foundation
Directly from India, I will fly to Kenya, where I will visit at least three villages to develop ThWB infrastructure and prepare them to receive therapist volunteers who can help liberate people with disabilities and their caregivers. In these areas, they do not have electricity or clean water and rely on private farming for their livelihood. It becomes extremely difficult when they also have to take care of a child or adult with a disability in a community that does not understand or support them. In addition, for the young women suffering from societal disempowerment and forced genital mutilation/circumcision, for the widows and orphans suffering from the HIV/AIDs epidemic, for the young men struggling to make the right decisions… I would also like to set them up to receive and benefit from ThWB counselors.
4. Volta Region, Ghana
Trip length: 2 weeks
Organization: Kpando Community Inclusive Special School
Finally, I will go to a special school for people with disabilities in Ghana. Kpando has 40-50 students (up to age 35) and a few dedicated teachers who are desperate for volunteers who can train teachers, diagnosis students, and plan treatments. My time at Kpando will be spent doing therapy and teacher training, as well as setting them up to receive ThWB volunteers.
How You Can Help:
Therapists Without Borders is quickly setting itself up to be a viable, vital organization. The future development and success of ThWB depends on my personally visiting these areas with great need. However, all costs of travel are to be paid out-of-pocket.
ThWB’s 501(c)(3) partner, Village Volunteers, is organizing my in-country transportation, accommodations, meals and escorts through payment of volunteer fees amounting to approximately $3,000. If you feel moved, please consider giving tax-deductible donations toward these fees by specifying “Therapists Without Borders” either in the memo line of a check payable to Village Volunteers (5100 S. Dawson St., Suite 202, Seattle, WA 98118), or in the “other” field if processing online.
Donations can also be made to me personally to cover airfare, immunizations, visa fees, anti-Malaria medicine, and other costs amounting to approximately $4,500. I can receive cash, money orders, or checks (payable to Linda Szeto; contact me for mailing address).
Thank you! I'm touched and encouraged that so many people share this vision. Your support is greatly appreciated, and is the backbone of Therapists Without Borders. You can follow my travels here on this blog.
Sincerely,
Linda Szeto, M.A., CCC-SLP
Founder / Executive Director
Therapists Without Borders
www.ThWB.org
Therapists Without Borders (ThWB) will take its inaugural research and development trip this spring to several rural villages that we have identified as focus points as we begin our work to bring highly skilled, trained therapists to villages with diagnostic and treatment needs. For at least three months, I will travel to Peru, India, Kenya, and Ghana. Each development site has been carefully reviewed by our team of advisors and partners, and our initial work is dependent on my visiting each site personally, to connect with the in-country staff, analyze the specific needs of the community, and determine together how ThWB can best support them. Furthermore, thanks to a new partnership established with Whirlwind Wheelchair International, I will also assess and measure candidates for RoughRider wheelchairs.
1. Cuzco, Peru
Trip length: 2 weeks
Organization: Manos Unidas Peru
I’d like to learn from this organization because it is successfully doing, on a local level, what ThWB aims to do at a global level. People with disabilities in Peru are seen as burdens, cursed, worthless, just like they are in Kenya and Ghana. Very few children with special needs get an education, as they are thought to be hopeless cases. Manos Unidas is working to desensitize the communities to people with disabilities, to instill a sense of value in them, and to train local people to become self-sustaining. The desire for a bilateral partnership is also there: they want to receive therapist volunteers as much as I want to send them.
2. Kolkata, India
Trip length: 2 weeks
Organization: New Light India
New Light is a safe house "to protect and educate young girls, children and women at high risk” of sex trafficking. I will explain to the program staff how ThWB volunteer counselors and social workers can help their girls and young women with their social/emotional development, coping skills, conflict resolutions, and identification of any psychological issues resulting from trauma. In the future, I would like to see to set up training programs for locals to do the counseling on their own.
3. Western Kenya
Trip length: 3 weeks
Organizations: Dago Dala Hera, Namunyak Maasai Welfare, Sister Freda’s Foundation
Directly from India, I will fly to Kenya, where I will visit at least three villages to develop ThWB infrastructure and prepare them to receive therapist volunteers who can help liberate people with disabilities and their caregivers. In these areas, they do not have electricity or clean water and rely on private farming for their livelihood. It becomes extremely difficult when they also have to take care of a child or adult with a disability in a community that does not understand or support them. In addition, for the young women suffering from societal disempowerment and forced genital mutilation/circumcision, for the widows and orphans suffering from the HIV/AIDs epidemic, for the young men struggling to make the right decisions… I would also like to set them up to receive and benefit from ThWB counselors.
4. Volta Region, Ghana
Trip length: 2 weeks
Organization: Kpando Community Inclusive Special School
Finally, I will go to a special school for people with disabilities in Ghana. Kpando has 40-50 students (up to age 35) and a few dedicated teachers who are desperate for volunteers who can train teachers, diagnosis students, and plan treatments. My time at Kpando will be spent doing therapy and teacher training, as well as setting them up to receive ThWB volunteers.
How You Can Help:
Therapists Without Borders is quickly setting itself up to be a viable, vital organization. The future development and success of ThWB depends on my personally visiting these areas with great need. However, all costs of travel are to be paid out-of-pocket.
ThWB’s 501(c)(3) partner, Village Volunteers, is organizing my in-country transportation, accommodations, meals and escorts through payment of volunteer fees amounting to approximately $3,000. If you feel moved, please consider giving tax-deductible donations toward these fees by specifying “Therapists Without Borders” either in the memo line of a check payable to Village Volunteers (5100 S. Dawson St., Suite 202, Seattle, WA 98118), or in the “other” field if processing online.
Donations can also be made to me personally to cover airfare, immunizations, visa fees, anti-Malaria medicine, and other costs amounting to approximately $4,500. I can receive cash, money orders, or checks (payable to Linda Szeto; contact me for mailing address).
Thank you! I'm touched and encouraged that so many people share this vision. Your support is greatly appreciated, and is the backbone of Therapists Without Borders. You can follow my travels here on this blog.
Sincerely,
Linda Szeto, M.A., CCC-SLP
Founder / Executive Director
Therapists Without Borders
www.ThWB.org
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