A Return to Peru

 I thank Cascade for supplying DAFOs for Medical Ministry International’s (MMI) physical therapy project to Arequipa, Peru, in August 2007. (Arequipa, in southern Peru, is the country’s second most important city.) In Arequipa, we worked in a Catholic church called Nuestra Senora de Perputuo Socorro. We also visited surrounding areas such as Ariviri, Camana and Mollendo. The donated and “gently worn” orthoses have helped hundreds of children and adults over the past three years. This year alone we gave out 68 pairs of various orthoses and arch supports. Most we didn’t have to adapt; and if we did make adjustments, they were simple: heating out tight areas and adding toe pads. Our crew included 13 clinicians and three helpers.

Many parents were so pleased with how well their children did with their orthoses last year that they came back seeking new ones this year. Other children had just received surgery, and orthoses helped them stand on their sensitive feet. Peruvian parents seemed deeply concerned when their children were diagnosed with flat feet. Some children’s feet aren’t very flat, but others are. So, the PattiBobs and HotDogs have been very helpful—so much so that we are out of them.

For the number of children needing help, local PT resources are stretched thin. There is one PT school in Arequipa and a few PT clinics. Some of the children got to therapy weekly or less often. They also employ hippotherapy! (Hippotherapy is the use of horses in therapy.) We have included some PT education in our work; we hope to have a neuro-developmental treatment course for pediatrics and some courses on orthopedic conditions next year.

We invite any orthotists, physical therapists, occupational therapists or wheelchair specialists to join us on our next MMI trip, August 9–23, 2008, to Arequipa, Peru. If you’re interested, please tell me. (See below on this page.)

We plan on making another trip to Peru next year. We have many orthoses left over, but we can still take more with us, as we never know what sizes we will need! Children’s sizes all the way up to adult would be welcome. DAFOs, Jump Starts and other Fast Fit products and knee braces are very useful, as long as they are “gently used”—with at least six months worth of wear still in them. So, if you have some to send, that would be great. You can send them to Cascade Dafo, where Karen Christenson will collect them. This year we may be able to take three to four boxes of orthoses.

Pediatric walkers and Pavlik harnesses are also very useful. We are also collecting donated wheelchairs like the ones in the photo for children who can’t walk or have difficulty walking long distance. (Please send the walkers, harnesses or wheelchairs to Jodee in Pennsylvania, not to Cascade Dafo.) If you have any of these items to send or if you would like to sponsor a wheelchair, please email me for information.

Thanks for your partnership in helping the children of Peru!

Blessings,
Jodee Fortner, M.S.,P.T.

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Want to Help?

Here’s how to reach Jodee (pictured above left, bottom photo) if

• you are a physical therapist, orthotist, occupational therapist or wheelchair specialist and you’d like to take part in this physical therapy project to Peru;
• you have a wheelchair, pediatric walker or Pavlik harness to donate; or
• you’d like to sponsor a wheelchair.

Jodee Fortner, M.S.,P.T.
Kinetic Rehabilitation
920 Town Center
New Britain, PA 18901
jodeefortner@yahoo.com
Medical Ministry International: www.mmint.org