Humbled & Blessed

This week I was reminded again that our work is benefiting all amputees here in Haiti. Much of the media attention has been focused on the earthquake victims and the tragedy they suffered. The second group we are equally serving is the existing amputee population prior to the January earthquake. It was exciting to see an older female amputee finally taking her first steps with her new prosthesis after waiting 20 years for this opportunity. Another female amputee, who lost her limb due to a “tap tap” (public transport) accident 8 years ago, experienced the freedom of unassisted ambulation. A third elderly male patient was evaluated for his prosthesis and he is 33 years post injury. He is eagerly waiting for his prosthesis and the chance to walk without crutches. I asked them why they hadn’t tried being fit prior to now and they all said services weren’t readily available and could not afford the cost. I continue to be humbled and blessed to be part of this noble project to provide mobility to all Haitian amputees.

My first update from Haiti

The sound of a rooster crowing and a turkey gobbling outside my bedroom window wake me up every morning. Yes, this is the same confused rooster that often starts crowing at midnight or earlier. But, after three weeks, I’ve learned to sleep through it most of the time.

My two-week orientation with Anna went by quickly and it felt like a lot of information to absorb in a short period of time. She did a great job of introducing me to Klinik Hanger and the HAS family and staff. Friday night, Aug. 27, a farewell party was held in her honor at Restaurant # 1 in Verrettes, which is approximately 6 miles from Deschapelles. It was a great night of good food, a local DJ with dancing, and heartfelt thank you speeches by Klinik staff. Anna has left her positive imprint on the Klinik like Jay before her, so I have big shoes to fill.

The Klinik Hanger continues to be an amazing place where amputees support and cheer each other on as they start their first steps in their prostheses. I continue to be impressed by the determination of the amputees at the Klinik with many walking independently on the first day after receiving their prosthesis. It is an honor to be a part of this great work here in Haiti. I‘ve had two skilled hard working practitioners the past two weeks and we’ve had a good time providing care to the amputees and working with the technicians.

A shipment of fabricating supplies arrived late last night and by 11pm we finally had the truck unloaded. Tomorrow morning we leave for Port-au-Prince at 4am to drop off Kris and Javier at the airport and pick up the new group of practitioners. The faces change but the same great work continues at Klinik Hanger.

Kris Kittleson from Iowa City, Iowa

Javier Mejia from Richmond, Virginia

Changing of the guards

Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics practice manager Vern Hostetler from Zanesville, Ohio recently arrived in Deschapelles, Haiti where he has taken over the role as lead prosthetist at the Hanger prosthetics clinic. Before Hanger practitioner Anna Avakian concluded her three-month term as lead prosthetist, she transitioned her role to Vern during a two-week training process.

Fully functional since February 22, 2010, the Hanger prosthetics clinic in Deschapelles has already achieved notable success and outstanding patient outcomes under the leadership of two prior lead practitioners from Hanger, John “Jay” Tew, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Anna Avakian, from Washington, DC. To date, nearly 600 Haitian amputees have received prosthetic care at the Hanger Clinic in Haiti.Before he left for Haiti, Vern talked to his local media about his impending trip. Get to know Vern by taking a look at this Zanesville Time Record newspaper article and this WHIZ-TV NBC clip.

Stay tuned for blog posts from Vern about his experience and work in Haiti.