Sad to Go

Greetings...it's Saturday morning around 7a and Amy and I are taking it a bit slow this morning.  We are going to eat breakfast at 8a today rather than our typical 7a...exciting!!

We have concluded our 3 days at the Children's Hospital here in HCMC and it was such an interesting, stimulating, and encouraging visit.  The staff here have become such friends to us over the past 6 years and 3 visits, so leaving was a bit tearful.  We are excited though as we know we will return...not sure when, but know we will be back!!

Friday was a busy day for me in the morning, as I presented a lecture on Kinesiotaping for Children with Hemiplegia to 55 people, including lecture, patient treatment of 2 adorable babies and video tape presentation.  So a comprehensive morning, but I was pleased with how it all went and the questions that were asked.  The audience included mostly physiotherapists, 4 physicians (both adult and pediatric), the former director of the PT school here in HCMC at University and the current director of the PT school here in HCMC.  The former director was a bit intimidating at first, very intense, but she complimented me on my presentation afterward and the current director was very excited as well.  So...glad it went so well.

We had a yummy lunch of vegetarian rolls, filled with shredded 'sweet potatoes' and carrot, I think.  We took the roll, wrapped it in a leaf of lettuce, added a couple of leaves of mint and rolled it up and dipped it in nuoc mam ('nuk mom'), which is Vietnamese fish sauce.  We were served freshly-squeezed orange juice (so great).  The lunch was concluded with very small, 'clementine-like' fruits. 

We then 'took a rest!'  Amy and I both cracked-open our Kindles and kept reading our books.  I am about half-way through The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest and it's quite good.  I have a feeling when I finish this final book of the Stieg Larsson series, I am going to wish there would be more.  I wonder what's happening with the (?) 4th book controversy!?!?

The afternoon was then filled with Amy demonstrating how to implement the PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) for a child with autism.  It is a non-verbal communication system that teaches the child to give a picture to an adult, indicating what they want.  I was the 'Physical Prompter' in this scenario, which basically meant I was to physically prompt the little boy to pick-up the picture and give it to Amy in order for him to get a snack that he really liked.  In the end, there was a little bit of success, as expected for trying this for the 1st time, but the child we demonstrated this system with was quite low level and may not be yet ready for something like this.  It was a good example for the staff though and they asked great questions as well!

Little boy with autism.  Love his 'sleep clothes' ~ he attends the day care at the hospital and when they nap, they change into these adorable little outfits!!

After Amy answered many questions about how to implement this system, we then presented to the staff all of the supplies we were able to bring for them, because of the generosity of many at home!!  The staff was blown-away ~ one therapist nearly started crying when Amy presented a large back filled with 'little play people!!'  The 'orthopedic' staff ~ about 3 of the guys who do all of the splinting and casting in the department ~ were so excited for the casting and splinting materials that we were able to present to them.  The highlight for the staff was the projector we brought for them ~ for presentations and can connect to a laptop, etc. ~ they were SO excited!!!  Such a exciting moment for Amy and me too.

Here's some photos to 'round out' our time at the Pediatric Hospital #1!!

Presentation of the new projector with Giao, the new director of the department!

The final delivery of the supplies...now we only have our backpacks (+ our very large bags)!

They are great at incorporating what is recommended to them ~ witness...a sensory pit with beans!

A 'squeeze' machine ~ made by a local carpenter based upon a photo or picture Yen had brought back from the US in 2008.  It's used for kiddos with sensory issues/autism ~ they like to be 'squeezed!'

Little boy with autism in the day care who would not feed himself ~ that is, until Amy came along!  She added a crunchy snack that he likes to his spoon of soup and he brought it to his mouth independently.  Independent feeding is a difficult thing here in Vietnam, as typical children do not feed themselves until well-past 4-5 years ~ their moms feed them.

A child in the day care with mental retardation taking a nap in his fantastic 'sleep sack.'  Basically is a lycra sack with a zipper ~ put the kiddo in it, zip it up and it gives then lots of compression ~ very relaxing!!  All children in the day care sleep on the floor for their nap times.

Yen and me!

Looking at a book!!

Receiving a lovely (but fragile) gift from the staff at the Pediatric Hospital in HCMC during our goodbye dinner on Thursday night.  Such generosity!!

Super-chatty, adorable boy with CP with diplegia.

Taken at our goodbye dinner at a very posh seafood restaurant!  Notice...how tall Amy is in comparison to our Vietnamese friends!  :)

So, to our friends at the Pediatric Hospital #1 in HCMC ~ we will see you soon!!  Keep up the good work!

Will post more later...off to the Benh Thanh Market for some shopping and then at 330...are going to see Harry Potter!!!!  Cannot wait and am hoping for subtitles, but don't really care, because it will be so cool to see a movie here!

Officially now just a tourist...

xoxo
Stacy