2010 Care Giving Projects

A Look at Physical Therapy

November 2010- Although the impact of treatment often progresses slowly, over time the results can be astounding.  Movements and developmental skills that were once impossible are being realized.  We wanted to share some of the comments made by the physical therapist during her evaluations this month...

     "Now he can place his left foot flat on the ground and his walking posture continues to improve with training. He can straighten his elbow joints slowly when he relaxes himself."

     "Now he can walk slowly and steadily on the soft mat after completing exercises.  Although he can't help waving his hands, he makes obvious progress compared to before.  He also makes some progress with his lower limbs by kicking the exercise machine to help keep his quadriceps strong."

     "After one month's training, she can bend and spread her knee joints while in the supine position.  Sometimes she can support herself slightly with her upper limbs."

     "After three months traiing he can transfer from the sitting position to the standing position without assistance.  His stability has improved.  He can grasp the feeding bottle and light articles with his hands. His stability needs to be strengthened. He has made big progress."

      "He can do fine motor activities with both hands.  He can do well in stringing beads, doing puzzles and matching simple patterns."

      "His linguistic expression has made some progress.  He often tries his best to speak the word that he wants to express.  His pronunciation is somewhat better than before."

  

Physical Therapist Renewal

June 2010- With the realization of the vital importance of physical therapy for special needs children, a regular donor to Hope's Heart has graciously renewed the sponsorship of a physical therapist for another year.  This sponsorship pays the salary of the PT so that she can help bring hope and healing to many children who have physical life challenges.  Each child receives an individual assessment and program set up and carry out to meet their unique needs.  We are seeing wonderful results, and we know more will follow. 

Physical Therapist and Foster Care Assistant

February 2010- Challenges are expected as a regular part of life when caring for over 100 orphans, many of whom have special needs.  Success is being realized for the children as the physical therapist and foster care assistant consistently devote their time and attention to bringing the most success into the lives of these children.   Continued progress is being made to aid the babies, toddler and children in their development...both at the orphanage and in foster homes.

     

  

2009 Care Giving Projects

Physical Therapist and Foster Care Assistant

June 2009- Remarkable strides in child development have been made over the past year through the efforts of a new Physical Therapist and a Foster Care Assistant for an orphanage in northern China.  The reports we receive are encouraging, and the children are reaping the benefits.  We are grateful to Hope's Heart donors who have made possible the contract renewals for another year for both of these ladies.

 
December UPDATE-  Each month progress is being made in the lives of many children thanks to the physical therapist and the foster care assistant who see to both general and specific care. 

  

PT Training

April 2009- Ongoing training to advance techniques, resources and stratigies to aid children in need of physical therapy is critical.  A grant has been release to fund a weeklong training of the physical therapist sponsored by Hope's Heart. 

 

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Orphanage Doctor

February 2009-  The nearly 300 children in a rural orphanage are receiving attention to their daily medical needs as a result of the sponsorship of an in-house doctor.  The doctor is treating common illnesses, being sure the children get timely treatment, taking necessary precautions against diseases and instructing caregivers on basic hygiene in order to reduce the spread of contagious diseases.  

The doctor also extends physical therapy to some older special needs kids to help improve their mobility and speech ability.    She is making a remarkable contribution to the health and well-being of the children under her care.

November UPDATE-  Medical skills by this orphanage doctor are benefiting the children in a very poor orphanage on a daily basis.  We are grateful for the care she is able to provide the children.  This is especially valuable as the weather gets colder and flu season sets in.  Recently she has been seeing approximately 30 children per week and she oversees the medical care of the entire orphanage.  Most of the children suffer from colds and diarrhea.  Fevers and runny noses are common as well.  She listens to their lungs and is able to give them antibiotics and fever reducers.

Carryover from 2008

January 2009-  Two 2008 caregiving programs which began in 2008 continue into 2009. 

The first is the foster care assistant who is helping to oversee over 80 children who have been removed from the orphanage and are residing with foster families.  To learn more of this project visit the 2008 care giving page.

The second is the physical therapist who was hired to work with children with physical challenges that require one-on-one daily attention and live in an orphanage.  Her responsibilities also include working with foster parents to train them in aiding the child under their care who need attention given to their special needs.  To learn more of this project read more in the 2008 entry.

'Serving Orphans with a Passion to Enrich Their Lives' 

Ways You Can Help
If you have an interest in joining with us to enrich the lives of China's orphans, we would like to give you that opportunity...