"If you can change one person's life for the better..."

It is Thursday evening and I have spent two days at AIC Kijabe Hospital, observing and consulting with a team of physiotherapists (PTs). I want to thank Sherri, Ken, Michael, Robert, Jennifer, Noeleen and all the other therapists for allowing me to pester them with questions!

 Reviewing charts

PT exercises

the physio gym

I was granted opportunities to visit every type of ward in this 300+ bed hospital: Men's Ward, Women's Ward, Pediatrics, ICU, Private Ward, Semi-Private Ward. Oh, and the casting room and sewing room. There were patients with strokes, fractures, Parkinson's, TBI (head injury), arthritis, hip replacement, knee replacement, and amputations, among other things. They were from age 1 to 80 (there was also a newborn whom we visited to pray over but she wasn't actually a patient, just a blessing!). Most patients were very motivated to get home as independently as possible. Although I was limited as a volunteer to non-patient care, I was able to educate both staff and patients on the role of OT and consult on some cases. My proudest moment was that trek down to the sewing room for which I requested modifications to knee braces for a patient with weak fingers (due to RA). After adding more velcro and loops she was able to put on and take off the braces independently 💪😊💗

selfie with Robert

selfie with the other Justine!!!!!

It is still difficult for me to see people suffer, however, and some people we cannot help. There is currently a teen boy in ICU (and his family) whom I would ask prayers for.

These therapists work very hard and the hospital is currently under a lot of stress due to a combined Kenyan doctors' and nurses' union strike. After seeing 10 patients per day, Robert says, "you are tired, but if you can change one person's life for the better, it is worth it."

Here's what else I've been up to:

hanging out with Bethany!

thunderstorms over the Rift Valley!

British snacks! (this reminds me of small group back home)

making pizza in a real brick oven!

I have only 1 more day in Kenya 😢 At 5am on Saturday (8pm Fri CST) I will fly from Nairobi, Kenya to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to Niamey, Niger. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers!