Monday, July 31, 2006
Families of Huambalo welcome us into their homes!
Contributed by Stacy Springer
What an amazing day! Bridgett, Maggie, and myself went to a couple of homes today for some children whose family goals necessitated home visits. We were also accompanied by Adam, our translator, as well as Monica, an amazing mother and advocate for the village of Huambalo who started the school foundation. The first visits were arranged since afterwards the two mothers needed to go to the school to cook our lunches!
We first went to Miguel´s home, a 12 year old bright young boy with cerebral palsy. His family indicated that toileting was a high priority. Before going to the home, many were talking about fabricating an adapted commode, trying to figure out what materials to purchase, and such.
Although we could have bought some materials, I didn't feel comfortable buying any materials before actually going to his home. As an OT, I discussed that we couldn't do that since we didn't know how big his bathroom was, how close the wall was, where it was in relation to his room, etc. Well - I was on the right path in my thinking, but still way off base...
When we arrived at Miguel´s home, the family's bathroom is not in their house - its around the corner, down a small hill, and is fabricated out of 4 wooden tree posts with burlap bags as the walls and a round cement commode. A true example of how environment, both social and physical, can not be assumed or imagined without actually being there. We are still working through ways to modify and adapt Miguel´s bathroom using culturally available and relevant materials while still meeting the needs of Miguel and his family.
The next home visit was to Santiago's home, an adorable young 3 year old with cerebral palsy, whose family's goals included feeding and bathing. Again, his bathtub was vastly different from our cultural experiences; it was a round plastic basin. His mother explained that since Santiago has difficulties with balance, she has to hold him with one hand while bathing him with another. Our team came up with the low-tech tool of using a rope that could be fixed through either side of the basin. The family had one nearby in which Santiago was able to grasp with both of his hands while we held it across the basin. The family seemed pleased with this simple low tech idea that was able to be immediately implemented and easily replicable.
For feeding, it was an amazing process in which all of our perspectives, backgrounds, and expertise collaborated to suggest and implement supports for improving Santiago's independence with spoon feeding. Looking around quickly for materials in the home, Maggie and myself found a cardboard box in which we ripped off a piece, wrapped it around his spoon and then Bridgett had an elastic hair band to keep it in place.
This showed the family that they can find and adapt materials that they have and not needing commercially available materials. Bridgett and Maggie suggested having a lower, more shallow bowl that also increased Santiago's ability to scoop the yogurt onto his spoon. There were so many things that we were having interpreted from the family and then consulting and trying to suggest ideas in a way that empowered the family as the experts and not the 'professionals'.
Visiting the family's homes was an incredibly humbling experience. They welcomed us with open arms and offerings of food. Understanding again how each piece of the puzzle is completely interlinked and dependent on another. Our team was comprised of different disciplines & expertise - this is in part what I believe makes AT so powerful... collaborating together, blurring traditional lines and roles, to support the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families.
