A patient story: Welton – 18 Years Old

This post is the second of three from members of our first rehab team we sent to Haiti back in March. While Team 3 is in Haiti at the time of writing, Angie, Edith and Mandy were members of the reconnaissance team we sent to investigate how Toronto Rehab could be of assistance. Their work, and the work of their teammates was instrumental in setting the stage for our teams’ current engagement in Cap Hatien. Today’s post is from Edith Ng (OT)  where she  recounts her work with Welton (18 years old) following the injuries he sustained in the January 2010 earthquake.

Before I went to Haiti as part of the March team from Toronto Rehab, I wondered what I could do in 2 weeks to help given rehabilitation is often a long-term process. Now that I have gone and came back, I can confidently say that many things can be achieved in 2 weeks, although the work that still needs to happen is tremendous.

Being the occupational therapist in the team, I was given the task of seeing clients with hand related injuries at the Hôpital Albert Schweitzer (HAS) in Deschappelles, most of whom sustained their injuries during the earthquake in January. I quickly realized that although we can contribute by providing therapy, the teaching opportunities that we had were invaluable to promote sustainability after we’d returned home.

In the 2 weeks time, in addition to treating clients, I was fortunate to be able to work along side 3 rehabilitation technicians and a Haitian physical therapist. The rehabilitation technicians were graduates of a wonderful 9-month program organized by the Health Volunteers Overseas that is housed at the HAS to train Haitians in rehabilitation, since there are no physical therapy schools in Haiti.

Ameroline, a rehabilitation technician, at an after-work session on splinting

The physical therapist I worked with was trained in Dominican Republic. We problem-solved, provided treatment, and met as a group before and after each day of work to share ideas and to learn. Other than the learning needs that we identified, the therapy program in Haiti also lacked some basic therapy tools. I was able to leave behind various tools and resources with the help of many therapists around the Greater Toronto Area and support from Toronto Rehab.

It was encouraging to see the Haitian clinicians implementing their new learning, and I realized that 2 weeks may be just sufficient to promote some change. It was also wonderful to hear the clinicians asking for more opportunities to learn, as we knew that it would take more than 2 weeks to learn what they needed to know in order to manage the challenges that they face everyday. Continuing education is an important aspect of building capacity and professional development but it is often lacking for clinicians in Haiti.

Learning was happening throughout this trip for me. Among the many unforgettable individuals that I met and have learned from was an 18-years old gentleman named Welton (his name changed to promote privacy). He has never been to school, and was working on his family farm while living with his mother before his injury. During the earthquake in January he sustained a burn in his left hand and forearm when he fell into a kitchen fire. They did not have the money to seek professional help, so his mother used home remedies to try to help him.

10 days later they finally gathered sufficient funds to go to the hospital. Skin grafts and finger amputation were done but there continued to be exposed tendons, open wounds, swelling, and a lot of pain when we finally met him in March. His first question to me was when could he work on the farm again. He was quiet and was often observed crying. The psychosocial, medical, and rehabilitation needs of Welton and his family were not only an immediate need but would likely require long-term intervention from different rehabilitation professionals which Haiti does not have currently.

What we often take for granted as typical members of the rehabilitation team, such as psychologist, occupational therapist and social worker, are lacking in Haiti. Although a lot of great work is happening through the various professionals in the current healthcare system, there are still many aspects of the health and rehabilitation needs of the clients and their families that are left untouched. The need of ongoing support to provide direct services, to advance rehabilitation practices, and to enhance the quality of life of the many individuals that are now living with disabilities is obvious.

Typical homes we passed by between Port-au-Prince and Deschappelles

I am very grateful to have had this opportunity to share what we have at Toronto Rehab by extending our roles in patient care and education with individuals in Haiti where health services and opportunities to promote professional development are lacking. This is my second trip to volunteer in Haiti and I look forward to more opportunities to help where I can in the future.

Edith Ng
Occupational Therapist
Neuro-Rehabilitation Services
University Centre, Toronto Rehab

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