Language Barrier

This week I got to talking with my husband about the fact that, for the most part, Peruvians don’t tend to question authority such as the word of doctors, therpists, or other authority figures. I see this presented in therapy at Toñito where the parents and caregivers seem to take the therapists word for gospel. No one ever questions the exercises. At times when kids are screaming and crying uncontrollably, no one ever seems to question why and what is worse, in my opinion, is that no one ever bothers to ask if another treatment should be sought out. After 7 years of University I have been trained to ask questions and think critically so it is difficult to accept this way of thinking. This is something that is uncommon in Canada where parents often question exercises and challenge those who care for their children to the point that it is almost excessive and counterproductive to therapy for the children. I suppose that as with most things, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

My lack of Spanish has left me frustrated this week more so than usual as I wish to have answers and explanations about many things. For example the therapist was explaining that every child at Toñito has to do arrastre, an exercise where the client drags themselves on the ground with their elbows (it looks like a soldier or warrior in battle). I asked the therapist why each kids does the same exercise if every child is different and has different needs. He said that every child needs to be stimulated by feeling the ground or carpet as it rubs against their body. I confirmed by saying (with doubt) “but do ALL children needs this stimulation?” and he said yes. This is when I wish I had the words to say that there are possibly other ways to achieve each patient’s goals (not that they have actual goals) or improve each patient’s physical ability and that this one exercise might not fit each person’s needs. I don’t want to express my thoughts unless they are clear and they don’t come off as condescending or rude, and I just don’t have the vocabulary yet to do so. There is also a girl that works with a couple of the children who gets a kick out of purposely saying something extremely quickly to me and then laughing about it after because I don’t understand her, which adds to my frustration.

On another note, my favorite little girl is now able to crawl on her own!!