So last week when I went to teach at the street school Kiranbhai had me meet this patient. She is 5 years old who had hydrocephalus - water built up in her brain. She had a shunt placed when she was just a few months old, but had lots of developmental problems since. She is now 5, but looks like she is 2, maybe 3 years old at the most. She was diagnosed with developmental delay, but all the doctors say is for her to keep taking her medications. There is no father (I believe he died, but don't know for sure) so the mother takes care of the family. They have money issues and often cannot afford the medications. The mom often begs the pharmacy people, sometimes the hospital people, sometimes friends and neighbors and until now has managed to more or less get her daughter the treatment she needs. She should be eligible for free care and medication, but she hasn't found her way into the system and how to get those benefits. I'm hoping to, with the help of Ramanbhai (health coordinator), make sure her daughter gets seen by a proper pediatric neurologist (with fresh eyes, redo any tests necessary) and get her the free treatment she is eligible for.
The earn-n-learn school program has a new website! http://www.earnlearn.org You should check it out when you have time - very well made and touching!
We had our eye camp at the Leper Community today. We picked up 2 optometrists from the Nagri Eye Hospital who has done eye camps and worked with us for many years now. One of the optometrists was a student, the other the "attending". We got to the community and setup base at the community center. Then we had one registration table where all of the patients came and had their names written. Then they went to see one of the two doctors who used a flashlight to determine their eye needs! So basic yet apparently so effective. By taking a brief history and using their flashlight they were able to decide if the patient needed glasses, had cataracts, or needed a further evaluation to determine their need. Almost everyone had some need (mostly these are the people who came to the camp!). They were then given a clinic day (m/w for needing glasses, t/f for cataracts etc) and told to come to the hospital for further evaluation, since the doctors didn't have any other equipment with them. We will arrange our staff member who is from the community to take the patients when they need to go. In total we saw 70 patients and about 30 that need to go to the hospital for cataract or full eye exams - the rest all need glasses, which they can get from a local doctor.
We also gave away old clothes and toys that were donated to us at the camp. We watched and asked the local workers as the patients came regarding who had the most need. The picture above is of Virenbhai helping a guy try on a new jacket we gave him - as you can tell they were very appreciative of everything we gave and rocked all of the items :) (I think that's appropriate use of current "in" lingo - Seema, sorry if I totally embarrassed you, but I gotta try at least to stay up to speed on what's current!).
So while Dad was wandering about the Ram Rahim Tekro I was talking to one of the many girls who yells "didi, didi" (means sister) the minute they see me walking around and then follows me about - it's nerve-wracking how quickly they make you into someone they idolize. Anyways, we were talking and I asked her if she showered in the morning (I gave the health and hygiene presentation to all of these classes, so now I habitually ask them about their showering, nails, brushing their teeth, threaten home visits etc). Anyways, this is how this conversation went:
-Did you shower this morning?
-No.
-Why not?
-Was running late for school.
-Why don't you wake up earlier? It takes 15 minutes to shower.
-I already get up at 5am.
-What do you do that early?
-Do my homework for school.
-Why don't you do it the night before?
-My Dad is home and he yells at me so I can't.
-Why does he yell at you?
-Because he gets drunk every night so he is making a scene.
-What time do you get home from school?
-Noon.
-Then do your homework then.
-I have to do the housework when I get home and finish it by 3pm when tuition classes start, otherwise I can't go.
-Well, try to get up 15 minutes earlier or squeeze in 15 minutes of studying before/after class, okay?
-Okay Didi, I will from tomorrow. Next time you ask if I showered the answer will always be yes.
Not only was this exchange touching on many levels, but it made you realize that people, no not people, kids have so many things to deal with, and yet there is no hint of worry or stress on their faces, nor do they ever, and I mean ever, complain about their situation that I have heard. It is really something to learn from and get strength from - it makes me realize we complain about such minute things compared to what these kids have to face on a regular basis!
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