Jay Tew recently returned to Haiti for a fourth rotation as lead clinician at Klinik Hanger. The next several blog posts are reflections from Jay about his most recent trip.
May 29, 2012
Today the Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) brings a van load of patients from Port-au-Prince. We see mostly adjustments of below– and above–knee amputee patients with a few new castings, just like a normal orthotics & prosthetics clinic.
We finish up our humeral fracture orthosis and go to hospital to fit the patient. Joel took charge of this case. We modified and he independently did the rest of the orthosis. I feel confident he will be able to handle the next one on his own. Everything went very well with the fitting; the patient is stabilized and in more comfort than before.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Reflections from Jay Tew – 3
Jay Tew recently returned to Haiti for a fourth rotation as lead clinician at Klinik Hanger. The next several blog posts are reflections from Jay about his most recent trip.
May 28, 2012
Well, Haiti is still hot! I start my day as always – totally drenched in sweat early in the morning. It usually takes about three days for my body to acclimate. As I walk to Klinik Hanger I see my old friend along the way. I walk in and it’s like being home. Joel, Tchoe, Alex, Cira, Roselean and Yvener are all as before, sustaining the clinic.
For my first day our patient load is a consistent flow of below– and above–knee amputees, and now, pediatric patients in need of ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs).
May 28, 2012
Well, Haiti is still hot! I start my day as always – totally drenched in sweat early in the morning. It usually takes about three days for my body to acclimate. As I walk to Klinik Hanger I see my old friend along the way. I walk in and it’s like being home. Joel, Tchoe, Alex, Cira, Roselean and Yvener are all as before, sustaining the clinic.
For my first day our patient load is a consistent flow of below– and above–knee amputees, and now, pediatric patients in need of ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs).
We get a call from the hospital about an unstable humeral fracture in the ER. So Joel and I are off to evaluate and treat. We arrive at the ER and the patient has a left spiral fracture of the proximal humorous (also known as a broken shoulder) and distal break, so we cast and start fabrication immediately.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Reflections from Jay Tew - 2
Jay Tew recently returned to Haiti for a fourth rotation as lead clinician at Klinik Hanger. The next several blog posts are reflections from Jay about his most recent trip.
I arrive in Port-au-Prince to be greeted by Josef Dobler, a German prosthetist from medi who is the current lead clinician at Klinik Hanger in Haiti. I get settled into our new home, Kay 11. It’s a little different than our last accommodations, but I’m thankful to have it. We live in the general volunteer area now and share our home and meals with all the volunteers from around the world. I like the change – it’s nice to live and learn with people from many different walks of life. My roomies are from Switzerland, England, Haiti and Germany.
Josef with a Klinik Hanger patient.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Reflections from Jay Tew - 1
Jay Tew recently returned to Haiti for a fourth rotation as lead clinician at Klinik Hanger. The next several blog posts are reflections from Jay about his most recent trip.
May 26, 2012
Happy Birthday to me! I left New Orleans to travel to Miami, and then I’ll continue to Port-au-Prince the next morning. We have a layover in Miami as we always do. There, we typically meet our teammates, organize supplies and prepare to hit the ground, ready for our mission.
There are usually three to four of us that come in together, but this tour is much different for me. We have moved to our next phase of relief at Klinik Hanger. We no longer need teams of three to four now that the Hanger Clinic has evolved to a sustainable prosthetic, and now, orthotic clinic as well. I am not concerned going in alone since this is my fourth tour. My thoughts are filled with anticipation of seeing the progress of the clinic and all of my friends. The only way I can describe it is like having a child and having to leave them behind. You know you have to leave but will return and the excitement is overwhelming as you arrive back. Clinically my thoughts are to help further education, assess needs and assist.
On a lighter note, I decided to take myself out for my birthday. My plane arrived earlier than usual so I went to South Beach for a walk and dinner. The best part was when I grabbed a cab back to the airport hotel my cab driver was an older gentleman whose name was Joseph Jean St. Pierre. I recognized this name so I said “koman yea” (how are you). He looked back in surprise with an intrigued look. He says “pa pe mal” (not so bad). “Mwen rele Jay”, I say. He says “mwen rele Jean; Ha Ha ou pale creole?” We started speaking to each other about how I can speak Creole. Jean was very excited learning about our efforts in Haiti. I was able to bring him back home even if it was for a very short time. When we arrived at the airport hotel he wished me well and said the ride was on him, “Mesi zanmi mwen” (thank you my friend).
May 26, 2012
Happy Birthday to me! I left New Orleans to travel to Miami, and then I’ll continue to Port-au-Prince the next morning. We have a layover in Miami as we always do. There, we typically meet our teammates, organize supplies and prepare to hit the ground, ready for our mission.
There are usually three to four of us that come in together, but this tour is much different for me. We have moved to our next phase of relief at Klinik Hanger. We no longer need teams of three to four now that the Hanger Clinic has evolved to a sustainable prosthetic, and now, orthotic clinic as well. I am not concerned going in alone since this is my fourth tour. My thoughts are filled with anticipation of seeing the progress of the clinic and all of my friends. The only way I can describe it is like having a child and having to leave them behind. You know you have to leave but will return and the excitement is overwhelming as you arrive back. Clinically my thoughts are to help further education, assess needs and assist.
On a lighter note, I decided to take myself out for my birthday. My plane arrived earlier than usual so I went to South Beach for a walk and dinner. The best part was when I grabbed a cab back to the airport hotel my cab driver was an older gentleman whose name was Joseph Jean St. Pierre. I recognized this name so I said “koman yea” (how are you). He looked back in surprise with an intrigued look. He says “pa pe mal” (not so bad). “Mwen rele Jay”, I say. He says “mwen rele Jean; Ha Ha ou pale creole?” We started speaking to each other about how I can speak Creole. Jean was very excited learning about our efforts in Haiti. I was able to bring him back home even if it was for a very short time. When we arrived at the airport hotel he wished me well and said the ride was on him, “Mesi zanmi mwen” (thank you my friend).
Monday, August 6, 2012
Job Satisfaction – Reflections from former lead prosthetist Anna Avakian
One of the things I’ve always loved about this field is that we get to make a tangible difference in peoples’ lives. Getting up, out of bed and into work can mean Ms. Smith gets to walk on her preparatory prosthesis for the first time or Mr. Jones will walk out of the office behind the wheelchair he arrived in. I love the joy that comes with making a difference.
Sometimes in life, we do not get to see first-hand the results of our efforts.
The first time I left Haiti at the end of August 2010, I knew the work started would continue. Vern Hostettler took over from me and I had the confidence that he would continue on in the training of the technicians and running of the clinic. But, a part of me was saddened that I wouldn’t get to see the results.
But, I did.
After Vern, followed Brandon Khoury, Chris Blades and Spencer Mion. Jay Tew also returned for a stint in early 2011. Last October I had the honor of returning to Klinik Hanger and seeing how far the efforts of so many had gone. The Haitian technicians: Alix, Tcho, Joel, and Cira were taking charge and almost running the clinic. When the patients arrived they would flock to the front, grab patient charts and escort the patients to the rooms to make a repair, take a new cast, or do a fitting. I watched in giddy satisfaction to see a clinic that needed very little of my help. Our education program has been a success – we not only have provided prosthetic care, but taught Haitians how to care for Haitians, creating a lasting impact. Those with limb loss in the Artibonite region of Haiti no longer have to take multiple tap-taps (a Haitian form of transportation) and struggle to get to Port-au-Prince to receive care. Mothers of children born in this area with a limb deficiency will no longer agonize over if their child will have a chance to walk, play, or kick a ball like other kids. And, in Deschapelles, amputees receive respect and excellent care to get them back to living. This care, for the most part, isn’t coming from a “blanc” but from another Haitian who speaks their language, knows their culture, and will be there for them for years to come.
Talk about job satisfaction!
For each and every person who contributed and continues to contribute to the Hanger Ivan R. Sabel Foundation in Haiti, thank you for the impact and difference you’ve made!
Sometimes in life, we do not get to see first-hand the results of our efforts.
The first time I left Haiti at the end of August 2010, I knew the work started would continue. Vern Hostettler took over from me and I had the confidence that he would continue on in the training of the technicians and running of the clinic. But, a part of me was saddened that I wouldn’t get to see the results.
But, I did.
After Vern, followed Brandon Khoury, Chris Blades and Spencer Mion. Jay Tew also returned for a stint in early 2011. Last October I had the honor of returning to Klinik Hanger and seeing how far the efforts of so many had gone. The Haitian technicians: Alix, Tcho, Joel, and Cira were taking charge and almost running the clinic. When the patients arrived they would flock to the front, grab patient charts and escort the patients to the rooms to make a repair, take a new cast, or do a fitting. I watched in giddy satisfaction to see a clinic that needed very little of my help. Our education program has been a success – we not only have provided prosthetic care, but taught Haitians how to care for Haitians, creating a lasting impact. Those with limb loss in the Artibonite region of Haiti no longer have to take multiple tap-taps (a Haitian form of transportation) and struggle to get to Port-au-Prince to receive care. Mothers of children born in this area with a limb deficiency will no longer agonize over if their child will have a chance to walk, play, or kick a ball like other kids. And, in Deschapelles, amputees receive respect and excellent care to get them back to living. This care, for the most part, isn’t coming from a “blanc” but from another Haitian who speaks their language, knows their culture, and will be there for them for years to come.
Talk about job satisfaction!
For each and every person who contributed and continues to contribute to the Hanger Ivan R. Sabel Foundation in Haiti, thank you for the impact and difference you’ve made!
Friday, July 27, 2012
An update from former Hanger Klinik lead prosthetist Anna Avakian
Leaving Haiti last October was kind of like saying goodbye to a dear friend when you’re moving far away.
You don’t know when you’ll see them next but there are constant reminders or flashes of experiences that bring you back, reminding you of their impact on your life, and how much you miss them.
For example, my friend Esther is forever linked to grocery store tomatoes. She’ll never let me forget a hilarious evening that started with me “squeezing tomatoes” to choose the ripe ones. This involved a mad rush back to the store since I had left the rental video near the pile of tomatoes because I just “had” to buy a couple more on the way out. In my defense they were perfectly ripe and an amazing price!
Reminders of Haiti are everywhere, too.
Summer has returned to the Atlanta area – hot and humid. So far, I’ve resisted turning on my AC at home and have an oscillating fan keeping the night air pulled in through the window to cool me off and lull me to sleep. It feels just like Haiti, and many nights my thoughts drift back there; the experiences and people that have changed my life.
A photo of some of those people, our amazing group of technicians and staff in Deschapelles, hangs on my wall at work. Their smiles forever ingrained in my memory. Above that hangs a colorful painting by a local Deschapelles artist reminding me of the vibrancy of life in a little town worlds away.
A book of Creole Proverbs sits on my shelf at home where, a couple of weeks ago, I even heard a rooster crowing in the middle of the night. I wonder if the time-confused rooster in Deschapelles is still around?
And, I will never be able to look at a hot dog the same way again. For the rest of my life, they will remind me of Haiti and the hot dogs and spaghetti meal that’s a common breakfast there.
I’m hopeful I’ll get to go back. A chance to spend time with a dear old friend. Time has changed us both. Situations are different. But, the love and connection I feel for Haiti and its people is unwavering.
You don’t know when you’ll see them next but there are constant reminders or flashes of experiences that bring you back, reminding you of their impact on your life, and how much you miss them.
For example, my friend Esther is forever linked to grocery store tomatoes. She’ll never let me forget a hilarious evening that started with me “squeezing tomatoes” to choose the ripe ones. This involved a mad rush back to the store since I had left the rental video near the pile of tomatoes because I just “had” to buy a couple more on the way out. In my defense they were perfectly ripe and an amazing price!
Reminders of Haiti are everywhere, too.
Summer has returned to the Atlanta area – hot and humid. So far, I’ve resisted turning on my AC at home and have an oscillating fan keeping the night air pulled in through the window to cool me off and lull me to sleep. It feels just like Haiti, and many nights my thoughts drift back there; the experiences and people that have changed my life.
A photo of some of those people, our amazing group of technicians and staff in Deschapelles, hangs on my wall at work. Their smiles forever ingrained in my memory. Above that hangs a colorful painting by a local Deschapelles artist reminding me of the vibrancy of life in a little town worlds away.
A book of Creole Proverbs sits on my shelf at home where, a couple of weeks ago, I even heard a rooster crowing in the middle of the night. I wonder if the time-confused rooster in Deschapelles is still around?
And, I will never be able to look at a hot dog the same way again. For the rest of my life, they will remind me of Haiti and the hot dogs and spaghetti meal that’s a common breakfast there.
I’m hopeful I’ll get to go back. A chance to spend time with a dear old friend. Time has changed us both. Situations are different. But, the love and connection I feel for Haiti and its people is unwavering.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Change
Anna Avakian, CPO, a former lead prosthetist at the Hanger Clinic, has returned to serve another term as lead clinician. Following is her first blog post since her return to Deschapelles.
Change.
Sometimes it seems to be the only constant in life.
In the past year I've experienced a lot of change: a new position within Hanger, a move to a new city/state, a new home, and recently a new boss.
But now I am back in Haiti. Back to the heat, the 3 minute walk to work, and working with the same great Haitian guys that have been our technicians since the doors opened here in February of last year. Many things are familiar here and it's like returning home in some ways; although, it's more like returning to a childhood home as an adult. The same, but changed.
One wonderful change to see is the growth in both the knowledge and skill of the four Haitian technicians. They now take the lead and we come alongside to instruct or guide as needed. They are confident in casting and modifying basic below-knee amputee patients, can fabricate all types of prostheses, and cast above-knee amputee patients well, too. It is a pleasure to see this change here. So many people have joined together and volunteered their time to make this reality that I have the pleasure of seeing. It's a nice change :)
Change.
Sometimes it seems to be the only constant in life.
In the past year I've experienced a lot of change: a new position within Hanger, a move to a new city/state, a new home, and recently a new boss.
But now I am back in Haiti. Back to the heat, the 3 minute walk to work, and working with the same great Haitian guys that have been our technicians since the doors opened here in February of last year. Many things are familiar here and it's like returning home in some ways; although, it's more like returning to a childhood home as an adult. The same, but changed.
One wonderful change to see is the growth in both the knowledge and skill of the four Haitian technicians. They now take the lead and we come alongside to instruct or guide as needed. They are confident in casting and modifying basic below-knee amputee patients, can fabricate all types of prostheses, and cast above-knee amputee patients well, too. It is a pleasure to see this change here. So many people have joined together and volunteered their time to make this reality that I have the pleasure of seeing. It's a nice change :)
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