First day at Hanger clinic

Had a really good night's sleep.  We have confused and very boisterous roosters that crow outside our windows at all hours of the night, but I was so tired that I fell back to sleep immediately after waking up.  Today was my first day at the Hanger clinic on the Hopital Albert Schweitzer.  Patients are bussed in as a group from the hospital housing--they stay 1-2 weeks for prosthetic fitting and rehab, and then they return home.  It was a very busy morning.  I was amazed at how fast some of our patients progressed--they would put on their prosthetics, get up with crutches, and just go.  They also worked extremely hard in the 95 degree weather. 

The boxes of supplies I brought were received with open arms.  Jill, the case manager who has been working here long-term, was so amazed and happy as she unpacked the toiletries, socks, bedsheets, hand sanitizer, duoderm and more.   She explained that many people that come to the clinic literally have nothing, and have been sleeping on plastic sheets.   

I evaled and treated one little girl today, Nahomie.  She broke my heart--she is only 12, has a transfemoral amputation, and lost both of her parents in the earthquake.  She has been living with her elderly aunt.  Apparently, someone spotted her walking on the street with crutches in Port-au-Prince and referred her to the clinic.  She rode the 3 hour bus ride by herself, and came with nothing except some clothes.  We gave her toiletries, bedsheets, and a stuffed animal.  She thanked us with a big, shy smile.  It was a really good first day!