Monday - Full day at the clinic!

Maureen sent the following report of their first day seeing patients at the Good Shepherd Mission Hospital physical therapy clinic:

Monday was a busy day in the clinic, with about 50 patients coming for therapy. After a bit of a learning curve, we developed a system of triaging the patients, evaluating all, and treating those who were most in need, or who came from far away. The students were able to observe (very brief) evaluations, assist in establishing the plan of care, see x-ray films and MRI films, and provide some treatments. The variety of patients that we are seeing is really wonderful. We are treating young babies, and older adults, and everything in between. We have orthopedic and neurological conditions including head injury, stroke, arthritis, back pain, and muscle strain. Monday evening we worked late in the clinic and came back to eat a late dinner and sleep. Still our spirits are high, and we feel that we are making a contribution to the mission. We had some delicious Andhra Pradesh mangoes for dinner Monday. We are enjoying being in India for peak mango season. Erin had to learn how to eat a mango "Indian style", and apparently it takes a village to teach the technique!In the evening we were fit for our sarees. We purchased saree fabric in Chennai, and the tailor will now make the material into sarees. Tuesday morning was again so busy. About 25 patients came to the clinic, and when you put three PTA students, two PTs, a few translators, family members and patients in a small clinic it can be a bustling place for sure. At one point, the general ward attached to the PT clinic was nearly full of waiting patients!

Pictures to follow!!