A
report from Christiane Willeit about one of her patients
April
8th, 2009
Another
weekend is gone again and the time passes. Meanwhile, it's already
my 6th Week and I feel great here in Leh.
Working with children gives me great joy and it is never boring,
because every day there are some surprises :)
Our weekly plan is that we are on Mondays and Thursdays with one
group of children for therapy in the RAC, and on Tuesday with another
group. The rest of the time we visit patients at home (Home Visit),
and treat them in their familiar surroundings.
Every
Tuesday Norboo comes, accompanied by his grandfather, to therapy.
Tundup picks both up and takes them home again.
Norboo, about 7-8 years of age, (date of birth is often not known).
Norboo has cerebral palsy since birth and comes to therapy since
2005.
From the beginning I was very fond of both of them and their mutual
affection. The grandfather makes every effort to secure the welfare
of his grandson and he has an open ear for every new proposal concerning
therapy.
Norboo
is an intelligent, smart boy and he can sometimes be very stubborn.
He understands everything he hears and he also responds to questions.
For translation I need one of our locals, with whom I also jointly
carry out the therapy.
In therapy I chose exercises to improve hand-hand coordination and
also the stronger use of the weaker side.
In addition the trunk and pelvic stability control should be encouraged
more, so that controlled and precise movements can be carried out.
An example would be that an object with the right hand is lifted,
passed on the other hand and put down. The same procedure may be
started with the other hand to change directions.
In
the last treatment unit Norboo has discovered the whip for himself
and found great joy with that. To have the cars roll toward him,
he had to hold the whip down with both hands. If he wanted the cars
to roll on the other side, he had to hold the lower edge of the
whip with both hands and lift. Fun and therapy in one swoop!
During
this time of therapy Norboo was even filmed by the cameraman last
week, when a film about the Ladakh-Hilfe, REWA was shot.
Since
Norboo can only stand and walk with help, we also decided to use
standing during therapy. This is a strong and unusual impulse for
the perception of the body, trunk and posture and also improves
the circulation in general.
At the same time, exercises with the arms and hands were carried
out. Norboo felt quite comfortable in this new position, but after
a short time he had on the toilet.
To teach Norboos the grasping with both hands at the same time,
we went to the newly mounted wall bars. After several attempts and
requests to use his left hand Norboo finally succeeded with a little
help to climb up and down. But then he needed a break!
Before
and after each treatment, we all sit together in a circle and sing
songs. Norboo is very independent and claps and sings along happily.
And he enjoys to be photographed!
I love to work with this boy, because he makes me laugh so often
and by its nature my day is enriched with joy.
I
look forward to spending the rest of my time here in Ladakh with
him and the other children.
Christiane
Willeit, Physiotherapist
