Good Day

We had a sucessful day today in Puente Piedra. There were very few children (only 6). A benefit to there being fewer kids, is that our time can be spent more effectively working on functional tasks. Instead of disciplining and policing the kids, the time is spent working on goals and objectives. Sometimes when there isn't a specific therapy session happening and there are many children, time is spent repremanding and trying to focus on tasks related to treatment. With a large number of kids in the same room, there is so much stimulation going on, which makes it extremely difficult to do meaningful work. So today, without so much of the usual chaos, we played a fun, cooperative game.

Some kids that attend the center don't get along well with eachother, so to encourage cooperation and teamwork, we did a group therapy. You can see in the picture (it's a bit hard to explain) that by using string, together we lifted up a cup by balancing it on top of 3 long pieces of string. The therapist changed the activity by switching partners, and adding more/ less weight to the cup. Everyone starts out sitting and slowly, all together we stood up carefully, trying to balance the cup on the string. This was great to work on attention, balance and coordination and we were successful in the task, which was also good.


I also managed to find (after lots of searching through some very 'interesting' parts of town) a market in China Town that sells toys that can be used for Occupational Therapy. I spent $10 on a brand new boardgame (to help with attention, identifying objects, scanning etc), 5 puzzles and a weaving activity for fine motor skills. Needless to say, I love China Town!

I love going to Puente Piedra not only because the kids are great but because I get to try my own ideas and exchange ideas with the therapist.

Here are few more photos of the kids.

Peru Children's Charity

The other facility where I have been working two days a week in Puente Piedra (Rock Bridge) at Km. 34 of the Panamericana, a quick 2.5 hour bus ride from home. I am working with a Charity called Peru Children's Charity that was started by a man from Ireland 7 years ago. The organization is unique in that every single penny of donations goes to the improvement of the therapy center and the lives of the children. It is a special place where people have respect for each other and there is very little screaming and crying (something I am starting to realize is not normal). There is one physiotherapist, one physio assistant, a speech language pathologist and me. Although it is basic, the center is therapeutic and many kids have one to one sessions with the therapists. There is currently a new facility being built to accomodate for the rapid growth and increase in patients. We hope the new center will be done by Christmas. For more info rabout the orgnanisation or to see photos and the plans for the new center visit: http://www.peruchildrenscharity.com/. Currently the children are working on christmas crafts to sell at a Christmas fair to raise funds for the center.

My role is to help assist with therapies and help out with other daily activities. I also hope to help further develop the Occupational Therapy activities because currently this area is somewhat limited (although the kids do get some OT time). My first goal is to learn all the names at both places, one step at a time!