Another clinical highlight

Another week has come and gone. I’m never sure whether the weeks are long or short! No 2 days or 2 weeks are the same!

In some respects it has been a typical Malawi week i.e. no electricity, shops not having supplies, some shops shut, basic administration issues that could take 5 seconds take 3 days, goal posts changing and the list goes on.  But life would be boring if every day was the same. Right?!

A car (who is now named “Rocky the Rav”) has now been purchased and freedom will ensue.  Life in Lilongwe can often get stagnant and so having the freedom for day trips is very exciting!  This weekend saw me playing with the big boys in their land rovers, land cruisers and pick ups on the dirt roads just outside Lilongwe.  My heart was beating fast at certain parts of the day and I would like to sincerely apologise to the poor children playing by the side of the road that may not have been able to get out of the way of the mzungus and may have been covered in mud.  We aren’t 100% sure as they can move very fast when they see vehicles coming into the villages.

The clinical highlight this week was working with another transfemoral (above knee) amputee.  This reasonably young man had been involved in a motor vehicle accident in November where he lost his left leg and one of his fingers. His quiet determination and the support his family gave him was exceptionally humbling.

After working with him on his first steps of utilizing a prosthesis and booking his future appointment for more gait training, I followed him and his family to his car to observe some basic activities of daily living such as getting in and out of the car.  Once we completed the tasks his brother shook my hand in the traditional Malawian way and said ‘God bless you and thank you for your kindness and support’.  Whilst I have faith to a degree, the passion and belief they have in God but also in the services we provided and the exceptionally gratitude his family and he had for what we have so far achieved, was overwhelming.  Tingles ran through my body when he shook my hand.  I am looking forward to seeing the progression of this man’s walking ability as well as seeing him return to some normality.  It will be exciting to watch.

We also ran a small workshop for the other NGOs we work with to assist them in identifying appropriate clients to visit the centre.  Creating ‘the same page’ will aid in reaching out to the wider community of Malawi and ensure more people are accessing our services as well as other rehabilitation needs.  Our goal is to hopefully see an increase in numbers walking through our door for 2015.

Outreaches will also start soon and I am looking forward to working with our team as well as the partners will be servicing.  There will surely be some great cases and photos to come of the events ahead.  Watch this space!