MUSTARD SEED ORPHANAGE

HEROES AT HOME AND ABROAD:

Local Therapists Journey to the Mustard Seed Orphanage in the Dominican Republic

Last summer, SRT Prosthetics invited local physical and occupational therapists to travel to the Dominican Republic to work with the children and staff at a special needs orphanage in Puerta Plata.

That invitation was enthusiastically responded to by Sue Tribolet, Physical Therapist at Possibilities NE in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Denise Sparks, Physical Therapy Assistant at RehabCare in Fort Wayne, Indiana (who also served as the translator), as well as Deb Guebard, Physical Therapist and Sandra Vance, Pediatric Occupational Therapist at the Turnstone Center for the Disabled in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Deb’s husband, Dr. Bruce Guebard, MD, a physician at Parkview First Care in Fort Wayne, Indiana, came along as well to provide physicals for the children. This experienced group of medical professionals recently returned from their trip to the Mustard Seed Orphanage. The journey was documented by Physical Therapist, Sue Tribolet.

DAY ONE
We drove on a very rough road through a somewhat residential area, then through gates at the orphanage, opened by their security guard, Pierre.  The building housing the orphans was fairly large and very clean.  It was 9:00 a.m. but none of the kids were quite ready and the staff seemed less than enthusiastic to have us there.  We found out later in the morning that a child had died prior to our arrival and the staff was very upset and not as organized as usual.  There are 19 kids total at the orphanage, most of whom have very severe physical disabilities.  The age range is 3 to 19 and only four walk (one on her knees).

It became obvious that our first priority was to get these kids positioned in their wheelchairs as appropriately and comfortably as possible.  We eventually realized that there were not enough wheelchairs for all the children, so some would have to take turns in appropriate wheelchairs.  All the kids were so cute, yet so poorly positioned that it was difficult to focus on one.  Deb remarked that she just wanted to

reposition all of them for comfort and a better view of life.  Dr. Guebard commented, “It was funny to see the therapists attacking the kids and chairs like sharks attacking fresh meat (in the best sort of way)”.

Sam and Julie Santa Rita were with us this first day.  Sam was able to purchase foam and naugahyde to help pad the wheelchairs.  Many pictures were taken in order to get to know each child as well as eventually make a book for the staff to refer to for positioning, feeding, and exercise.

Sandra was able to work with three children and three staff members with feeding techniques.  Most of the children are fed pureed food from a bottle with the tip of the nipple cut off.

Denise was very helpful and calm about translating for us, even when all of us were requesting her help at the same time.  We were very thankful for her “spanglish” as she puts it.

Two of the boys, Johnnie and Braelin, were having a great time exploring the suitcase of toys that we brought.  Dr. Guebard blew bubbles for the kids and they seemed to really enjoy this.

On the way back to our hotel, we saw a man transporting a full size mattress on his bike.  Apparently, this is not an uncommon form of transportation and one can often find animals being transported this way!

DAY TWO
We began instructions on feeding and positioning with a good response from the staff.  We started to see individual personalities come out in the kids, more smiles and laughter today.  We found out that Johnnie had dumped out all the bubbles that we had brought!
Sam and Dr. Guebard worked non-stop on modifying and padding wheelchairs.  The security man, Pierre, was drafted into helping as well.  Dr. Guebard remarked that Sam may have gotten a bit “high” on the contact cement fumes, but his padding looked great anyway.

It appeared that a number of the younger kids understood us fairly well.  None of them can speak, but were responding appropriately, hollering to get attention or to be picked up; teasing, and laughing.

One of the older girls, Migdalena, actually spoke well and even greeted us in English at times. Deb demonstrated sidelying position with many of the children.  This was well accepted by the staff.  More sound and movement was noted when the kids were positioned correctly.

DAY THREE
When we arrived on this third day, we saw that some of the children were lying on their tummy or side. Several of the children were placed on blow up pool rafts.  These worked especially well for two of the older girls, Massiel and Jessica, who had severe scoliosis as well as hip dislocations.

We played with many children on the mats and the large ball.  We met more staff today – the night shift who stayed to see what we were doing.  They followed through with the positioning, playing on the ball and mats. All the staff admitted to having fun playing with the kids today.  It was encouraging for the staff to see what the kids were capable of – like Eduardo who is able to sit on the mat without help, and Francesca who could belly crawl around the floor.

Friends of Sam, Dale Mason and Brent Wilson, were willingly drafted into coming this day and helping Sam and Pierre with wheelchair repairs as well as constructing a shower chair.

While waiting for PVC pipe to make the shower chair, the guys cleaned out a storage area and found two more wheelchairs for the kids to use.  They also found a walker that was cut down to a pediatric size.  Francesca was able to walk forward with it and was fairly cooperative (not her norm).

Two days ago, Sandra had made some suggestions on feeding Braelin who has Down’s Syndrome.  As of today, Braelin is now independently feeding himself thanks to the staff following some of the techniques demonstrated by Sandra.

DAY FOUR
This fourth day was more of the same — posititioning, exploring the kids abilities with sitting, hands/knees position, standing, and even walking with some.  We have continued to train the staff with much success.  The kids are anticipating our arrival now and are making noises to get our attention.  There are lots of beautiful smiles and giggles today.  The children have touched our hearts.  Bruce commented “If only all kids had the same opportunities”.  We have come to realize that many of the children would have been fairly functional if they had the type of resources that we offer in the States.  We found out that the kids are sent to school, but only if they are able to walk.

The shower chair was completed today with great success.  The staff felt it would help their aching backs.  The staff could see how important the various positions were.  They also had great fun bouncing the kids on the large ball or the ride on toy.

DAY FIVE
Our last day at the orphanage.  We presented the therapy book to the orphanage assistant director, Yvelis.  It had many pictures demonstrating therapy, feeding, and positioning ideas with other suggestions as well.

We had been participating in the staff praise and worship time throughout the week.  We found out today that during the prayer time the staff had been thanking God for our help with the children.  There were many hugs and tears as we said our goodbyes.  We are grateful to Sam and Julie for the opportunity through SRT to work with these kids.  We know that God is blessing the children through the awesome, caring staff and the many missionary groups that come through.  All of the therapists felt blessed to be a part of these kids’ lives for the week.

If you are a physical therapist, occupational therapist or medical professional, and would like to take advantage of this life changing opportunity, or if you have any questions regarding this trip, please call

Julie Santa-Rita
419.633.3961

Along with therapy, the children of the orphanage are in constant need of items for daily living such as medication for pain, cold, cough, flu and allergies. They are also in great need of diapers and personal hygiene supplies such as baby wipes, sanitary towels, toothbrushes, combs, and toilet paper. For the past few years, SRT has been sending these supplies to the Dominican, and there are donation boxes in the lobbies of each office.