Our little workshop getting all packed away. We had started a little of the packing up before we left for Livingstone and continued cleaning between prosthetic fittings Tuesday afternoon.
Here is Luyando with her prosthesis! She didn't seem afraid to get right up to walk with the prosthesis, but she continued using a crutch for balance. It may take a few weeks for her to get the balance part down, and she'll be soon walking as good as Alnold I'm sure.
Here's how Luyando and her father traveled to New Day. Three people on a motorcycle isn't unusual since this transportation is much better than a bicycle or walking.
Here is Alnold that came with his father for the minor adjustment we needed to make to his prosthesis but didn't have the material when we were at his village. That was a quick fix, and he was ready to go.
Chris got a hug from Alnold. She also gave him a big sack of clothes she had brought that her grandsons had outgrown.
And John finally got Alnold to smile after giving him a hat. John had brought a bunch of ball caps he didn't use to give to people...which was a big hit with everyone. :)
Here is Jessica back for fitting. Jessica was a bit difficult, because she had used her very old prosthesis for so long and had gotten used to it. She walks hunched over with crutches and likely cannot stand up straight since she's walked that way for so long.
We see in people in the states that if they have used a certain type of prosthesis or design of suspension (how the prosthesis stays on) for a long time, they are VERY hesitant to change. I suppose it's just part of our human nature...resistance to change. Anyhow, we had MANY differences in Jessica's new prosthesis so we hope she allows herself time to adjust to the differences and benefits from this new prosthesis since it fits so much better, is lighter weight and has a much better suspension method. She commented several times on how much lighter weight the new prosthesis is compared to her old one.
We packed up all of our supplies and equipment in the plastic trunks we brought everything in plus trunks that were stored at New Day from last trip. Everything was put in the attic of the guest house, except for the two workbenches and some chemicals that are heat sensitive. These things will be stored at a different house until next year's trip. Now that we have two nice workbenches and all the major equipment that is at New Day, sending supplies for future trips shouldn't be as large of a shipment (or as costly).
Tuesday evening was family dinner night at the dining hall again. This was our last time with everyone together before we left Wednesday morning.
All the kids want a hug from Papa Wes. :)
Everyone visiting before we eat.
Look at that cute face! The New Day kids are always so happy and full of smiles...much different than the surrounding village kids.
Doing dishes and clean-up.
Apparently Geoff had something really cool on his phone.
This is Kelitah. The first day we got to New Day, she came and gave me a big hug and asked "What is your name?" I told her my name and asked what her name was. Every time she saw me during our stay at New Day, she came and gave me a big hug and asked "What is your name again?" So..this last night we saw the kids I went up to her to get a hug and I asked her "What is my name?" She grinned and pondered a little before saying "It's Katie!"
Such sweet smiles from these kids. :)
John and I made our last trip up the water tower for pictures and to sign the water tower.
I documented how far Jason got this time...almost 2/3 the way up.
John and I signed our names, and he signed it for Prosthetic Promises.
Oh how I loved the sunsets from the water tower.
Blu went to pick up Charlie to come for fitting after we got back to The Ark after dinner. Charlie is the one who Chris had fit last trip, but he kept falling and stopped using the prosthesis.
He was very happy with the locking knee that wouldn't bend while he was standing.
We taught him how to use the lever to unlock the knee to sit down, and he was familiar with how to put the prosthesis on and take it off since he had one before.
After Charlie, all of the prostheses had been fit except for Joel, who never came back for fitting. The only way of contact for Joel was announcing over the radio for him to come back to New Day for fitting. We didn't know what village he had came from when he came for casting, and he didn't have a phone number for contact. We taught Wes and Blu how to fit the prosthesis for Joel, so when he does come back they can fit him. Joel's amputation is below the knee, so it's a more simple style prosthesis than above the knee which will make it easier for Blu and Wes to fit him. Hopefully he will go back to New Day soon for fitting.
We made sure all of our supplies and equipment were packed away and stored in the attic. We also had packed up our personal bags before bed. Wednesday morning we would leave New Day.
*Next post is Day 15: Leaving New Day for Lusaka
No comments:
Post a Comment