Seeing the rest of Malawi

I haven't posted for a few weeks as I had a glorious 10 days off over the Easter break.  Getting stuck in the city was not an option! It was time to escape and see the north.  Absolutely magical!  Best decision I'd made.

Living in the central region the novelty is to go the lake for the weekend yet logistically Salima/Senga Bay is the closest location.  Pay that extra fuel people and drive that extra distance as there is so much more to see as I soon discovered.

My first stop was Kuti which is just before the lake near Salima.  A small game reserve awaited and saw my first zebras up close and personal.  They came to eat the foliage surrounding our cottage.  Absolutely magical.  I am ready to take on the Serengeti and more after seeing them.  I want to see animals in abudance!  George the giraffe (later we found out it was Georgina) made a brief appearance at night.  Unfortunately I wasn't quick enough with the camera before she hid behind the trees but her magestic walking speed was something to admire.

Whilst in Kuti I tackled a bike ride or 2.  Those that know my history with bikes will be pleased to know that there were no injuries (my first attempt at a run in a year however didn't end so well).  Even when encountering Mr & Mrs Camel and not knowing whether we should leg it out of there or stay and be spat on, I survived unscathed.  I'm even contemplating purchasing said vehicle.  One step at a time.

Next stop was Nkhotakota followed by some well needed R&R at Kande beach.  Absoloutely picturesque.  A definite must stop.  Charlie & Ewan (Long Way Down) had stayed here and camped.  I don't think they had quite the same experience as us in the thunder and lightening stop where we feared for our lives and subsequently found out that the tent and car both leak profusely but hey what's a camping trip without some adventure!  We'd hoped to ride the horses whilst there but one of my travelling companions is severely allergic - epipen and all.  Despite my love of horses and desire to get back on one I wasn't prepared to have to do CPR all the way to the closest medical facility which was some time away.  Whilst at Kande we were privy to a gospel music video being made.  All I'm going to say is watch the music videos coming out of Malawi this year.  I may have made an appearance is all I'm saying!

Next stop was Nkhata Bay.  So very different to Kande but equally gorgeous.  We had lunch at a backpacker lodge that was set in the cliff face of the bay.  A definite must and bring the togs and snorkel next time!

Final destination was Mzuzu.  A small town in the hills in northern region of Malawi.  On the way we drove through a rubber plantation.  Absolutely fascinating.  I am so naive when it comes to such things.  I'm not sure how or where my tyres, erasers etc came from but definitely a place well worth a walk.

Mzuzu was much less hustle bustle than Lilongwe and good to see a different way of life.  Instead of driving back along the coastal road we decided to venture on the more direct route and the views through the mountain ranges definitely didn't disappoint.  Sunflower fields helped to keep us happy without thinking about returning to reality!

For those contemplating a trip to Malawi....DO IT! You will not be disappointed!

AEP to Sport Scientist….

Well ex-pats in Malawi certainly know how to put on a good show for St Patrick's day.  I was not expecting to see some excellent Irish craic in the middle of Lilongwe!  A tent packed with at least 1000 mzungus.  Who knew that there were that many of us here! Some flash mob appearances of 'Boyzone-reincarnated' kept us entertained whilst I reminisced of an interesting St Patrick's day in Dublin 9 years ago!

From a clinical perspective every week the tenacity and determination of the clients that we see continues to astound me.  From mothers who continue to carry their 12-14 year old boys with CP, to cancerous limbs that one should not ever discuss again, to burns contractures which could have been prevented had they had treatment post burn to those that have been 'treated' by traditional doctors with scars, blindness and other interesting 'cures'.  No 2 days are the same.  CP kids still win the day with me.  One small look has me entertaining them all day.  A pipe dream would be to set up a CP clinic in the villages.  Any willing benefactors and potential rehab staff willing to volunteer get in touch!!!

On a slight change in career path here I was approached by one of the top Malawian teams to assist with rehab, fitness, strength, flexibility and who knows what else!!!  Who knows FIFA may see me yet!  You may make a sports scientist out of me yet (I say that very loosely old colleagues of mine).

2 weeks before Easter and I'm looking forward to the new cases potentially coming through but also a week off to explore some of Malawi! Stay tuned!

Lake, complex clients, CP fun and melting..in a good way

It has been a full couple of weeks.

Finally got to see some of the scenery of Malawi the last couple of weeks managing to spend some quality days with amazing friends at Salima, Senga Bay and Dedza.  Malawi is truly beautiful in the rainy season.  Having a couple of days at the lake, although over cast, was great to sit and watch the world go buy and have a sneaky G&T or 2.  Sunsets in Malawi are like no other!  You can see why African sunsets has such meaning!

My social life also took me to the Malawian Music Awards.  That was indeed an interesting experience.  I lasted a few hours but did not witness much music!

Another week of interesting cases with CP kids winning my heart again!  A young boy with significantly mobile knee has been an exceptionally puzzling case for all clinicians this week.  The royal 'we' are trying to come up with an interesting knee brace to serve some purpose while we await a surgical review.  He is exceptionally bright and has been home schooled by his dedicated father.  When the boy asked if I would teach him daily my heart melted.  We are hoping to find a children's centre near his village so he can at least get some education.

We had an outreach with a new partner this week and all clients were children with CP or spina bifida.  All children were under the age of 6 and of varying severity.  Whilst I love being a fascination and them playing with my hair, skin and earrings, I'm not so keen on the face slap or vomit!  My heart did melt when a gorgeous young girl with spina bifida said in English to me 'see you tomorrow'.  I tell you I am just a melting pot these last few weeks!

We have however seen some excessively confronting clients this week too.  Some include neck burns, leg burns and a cancer of the heel that I do not want to discuss or see again.  Some things are better not said!

The next couple of weeks we have some more outreaches and we're hoping to see more interesting clients come through.  Whilst some days are particularly Malawian (eg being in the bank for 2.5hrs for them to produce a form for me to sign) other days like outreach days consolidate why I'm here.

Landirani days….

Landirani days will always be my favourite days in Malawi.

I have volunteered for Landirani since 2010 and they are the reason I found myself living in Malawi. 

Now working for 500miles I am able to work with Landriani regularly and these outreach days are spent reviewing clients I have seen over the years as well as new ones hoping that devices will be their answer.  Sometimes yes and sometimes we have to refer on to a more appropriate solution.  The clients we see on these outreaches from a 500 miles perspective have a variety of conditions eg cerebral palsy, post stroke, burns victims, leg length discrepancies to name a few. 

Today I wanted to just let you see the joy that is brought to their faces and mine when we work together on these days.

To check out Landirani's other projects go to www.africanvision.org.uk

Job love, nature and all things in between

I know I’ve said it before but I will say it again…it is so nice to love your job!

This week I did a round of the children’s orthopaedic ward with a brilliant Norweigan surgeon.  I am sure he thought I was exceptionally blonde when I looked at what I thought was a catheter bag hanging from the foot for drainage and asked have they not got any proper catheter bags left and we have to resort to shopping bags?? He looked at me strangely for some time and then said that is the traction equipment because there are none here. I.e. the bag was full of rocks holding the broken femur in place! Well of course!!  In my defence a catheter pipe was holding the bag to the bottom of the foot with strapping tape!

We have re-established a connection with the hospital’s physiotherapy department and I am hoping that this connection is maintained to aid with more appropriate and consistent gait training.  The challenge however is for those clients that are from out of town. Gait training often has to occur within a 4 hour window so they can catch the bus home as accommodation is limited.  Our fingers and toes are crossed hoping they will adapt well in the village and also hope they will return in 6 weeks for a review to ensure there is no misalignment occurring and that the device still fits appropriately.

I have on an important girly note found a second hand clothing store! Who knows what vintage collections I could find?!  I have also been told there is a second hand book store with a coffee shop attached – this weekend’s plan.  I am trying to contain my excitement!  Ensuring work life balance is paramount!

Nature news this week I have had a hedgehog in my garden, somehow my flat mate and I have acquired a dog “Bessie” and the cat “Mr Darcy” is becoming all too friendly for my liking. I may have also heard hyenas last night…I can’t be sure…but when in Africa!

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!

Entertaining...

Well the start of 2015 has been nothing but eventful.  I returned back to Malawi at the beginning of January after spending time back in Brisbane for Christmas and family events. 

I have definitely hit the ground running and it looks to be an exciting year ahead.  My experience in Malawi, if nothing else, will teach me patience.  Nothing is done at  a fast pace except for crazy driving which in tuk tuks in wet weather over pot holes can get the heart racing. Combine that with the largest snail/slug suction cupped to your foot and you are in for an entertaining trip!

The earthquake hoax has to be one of the funnier events that have occurred in the last few weeks.  I was staying at friend’s house and we received not one but two phone calls warning us to prepare for the earthquake that is about to hit.  What does one do in this event?  Do you actually get earthquake warnings i.e. can they predict it?  We decided that sleeping in one room with things off the walls that couldn’t fall on us was our best option.  When I asked if any more news had been provided on the quake I was told yes between 10 and 11.  WHAT?? On the richter scale?!  No Beth it will occur between 10 and 11pm.  Needless to say these types of predications are impossible and no tremors were felt.  Another entertaining Malawi gossip story to add to the collection!

I have had some entertaining conversations the last few weeks with cultural differences and misunderstandings being the main culprit. One particular conversation that springs to mind is the need for the clinic to order soft and hard leather in order to make certain devices.  I asked my assistant manager to provide me with the dimensions of the sheets of leather we have used in the past to determine our order.  His reply was “Beth how can I possibly tell you that information I don’t know the size of the animals!!  I don’t know how fat or skinny they are!!”  So true my friend – what was I thinking?!

In speaking about animals a friend and I went to inspect a building office block that his family is having built.  We were met however by a tribe of goats who was led by their infamous male goat.  Hiding from him was entertaining and between the 2 of us we weren’t quite sure who was going to defend who.  A large stick was found to assist in our plight from Mr Goat should we have needed.

I am also getting to know the various tools of many trades. I can now for instance buy certain tools and equipment to weld bars for hand rails, purchase POP powder for plastering and now understand an engineer square (which by the way is not a square).

I have to say though that my highlight is still seeing the smiles of the clients that come through the door and the achievements they make (big and small) with their new devices.  A gorgeous 2 year old was recently fitted for a below calcaneous prosthetic.  In just 1 month her gait, hip alignment etc has improved immensely and I can’t wait to see her at her review in 2 months time. 

Yesterday a gorgeous 9 year old boy with cerebral palsy came in to the clinic.  He had various devices but had grown too big and staff decided they wanted to send him the surgeon for a calf release.  On further investigation and cuing of his gait he could with concentration obtain heel strike.  Deeper discussion with the staff they admitted that the child had KAFOs (knee ankle foot orthoses) and had progressed to AFOs (ankle foot orthoses) and there had been a significant improvement.  Suggesting we hold off on the surgery and see with better fitting AFOs and more structured gait exercises over the next few months before resorting to surgery maybe more beneficial.  We will see the outcome!

From a 500 miles perspective please have a look at our Big Dinner campaign www.bigdinner.co.uk .  It will be aired at 7pm on the 7^th of March UK time. Any contribution you can make will assist us in helping the disabled of Malawi walk more than 500 miles.