We then walked to a Rehabilitation Hospital in La Paz. This hospital is for the working class who has insurance and for those we are retired. We met with the director of the hospital, she informed us of the aid that they are receiving from the Red Cross to help with covering the cost of prosthetics. The hospital also has future plans to be run by the government.
The head physical therapist then gave us a tour of their department. It included a hydrotherapy room, electrotherapy room, thermotherapy room, therapeutic exercise room, and an occupational therapy room. They see a lot of patients and often one physical therapist is working with over 3 patients at a time.
We then headed back to Karol´s for lunch. Her mom cooked baked chicken with vegetables and a chickpea salad for the vegetarians. It was then finished off with a fruit compote with vanilla ice cream.
We then raced to the Military Hospital to meet with Dr. Alfredo who is a surgeon there. Security was tighter at the hospital and we were required to where a mask due to the swine flu epidemic. He gave us a tour of the hospital and then had us meet up with the physical therapy department to have a tour of all the rehabilitation rooms. They had a very large pool that had a aquatic treadmill. Currently there is no water in it due to a heating problem.
After picking up the train tickets for tomorrows trip we then went to a prosthetics office. It is set up for individuals who do not have enough money to pay full price for their device. The people who work there all have a disability and this allows them to have a job and give back to others who are having difficulties similar to what they had. They also go to more rural areas to find individuals who need prosthetics and bring them back to the office in La Paz. Right now they make about 4 prosthetics a month, which is low, but they feel that this is due to the current economy and lack of knowledge that their facility exists. There was a therapy room that is run by the individuals and rooms to stay in while their device get mad and fitted correctly for them.
We then went to a small coffee place to have some tea, coffee, light dinner, and dessert for our evening. Afterwards we headed home to pack and get ready for our trip to Uyuni.
Well be back thursday with another update! Ciao Ciao!!!
It sounds like you guys are eating some really delicious food there. Make sure Katie takes note of how to make everything (especially dessert) so that she can make it for me when she gets home!
ReplyDeleteThe prosthetics office sounds like it is a really cool organization. It's great that they have gathered to give back to people who are in situations that they have all experienced and that jobs are provided for people who might otherwise find it difficult to work. How are they funded? Do they get government help or is it privately owned? Are the connected to some kind of hospital?
I can't wait to hear all about your trip to Uyuni! Have fun and take lots of great pictures!
How interesting. This just seems wonderful. Can't wait to see your pictures.
ReplyDeleteHey Alyssa! Thanks for your comment. You raised some fascinating questions!
ReplyDeleteThe organization is not funded by the government. As we understand it, it´s a nonprofit organization that makes only money to sustain themselves. The organization recognizes that in Bolivia if you have a physical disability and are using assistive devices (crutches, cane, etc) you are very much seen as a second class citizen. The organization is trying to fix that but is also trying to get people the equipment they need to stop using assistive devices and ambulate independently.
The group isn´t connected to any hospital and no longer has any PTs employed there because they were not making enough money to live. The facility actually has a few rooms were patients can stay while they get fitted for a device and they only have to pay 3 Bolivians a night (which is about fifty cents). The man we spoke with informed us that they try to get patients involved in making their device.
We were told that in order to make devices they get very creative and use what ever material they can get their hands on, that way they keep down cost. We learned that the metal pipes formally used for city pluming, which are now being replaced, have found many homes in Bolivian´s prosthetic devices.
Please let us know if you have more questions and thanks for getting some discussion going!