The Perspectives That Divide Us - Rockhurst University

4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4OT Students Help Ecuadorians with Hansen’s DiseaseTypically, graduate students in the occupationaltherapy program conduct their requiredfieldwork at a local hospital or clinic tocomplete the hands-on component of theireducation. In August, seven students had theopportunity to conduct their fieldwork in Guayaquil,Ecuador, where they spent a week offering therapy topatients living with Hansen’s Disease, or leprosy.Hansen’s, a chronic infectious disease, is among theworld’s most feared and misunderstood diseases. It iscurable, but if it is not caught early, it can cause irreparabledamage to the nerves, muscles, skin and eyes.The OT students met with patients at the DamienHouse, a charity-funded hospital and clinic for those withHansen’s Disease, to assess their needs, then to developand implement individual treatment plans. Students alsoled group exercise sessions.Training and fieldwork teaches students that creativityis essential in occupational therapy. But these studentswere surprised to learn just how much creativity theyneeded at a facility such as the Damien House.“The experience in Ecuador enabled me to understandhow a facility can have few economic resources, but beable to transform their resources into practical solutionsfor the clients,” said Sarah Werth, a second-year OTgraduate student.Werth learned someclients had trouble gettingfrom their beds to theirwheelchairs — a challengeeasily solved with a devicecalled a sliding board.With none in sight, sheand other students wentabout making one fromscratch using wood andtools found in the facility’smaintenance closet.When another patient’shands were getting sorefrom exercise equipment, Graduate OT student Jackeea student made some new Ndwaru, left, and Liz Zayat,hand weights from cloth academic fieldwork coordinator,and sand to ease her use an old wood planer todiscomfort. Students also create a sliding board.developed a bean-bag-tossgame for fine motor skills,and exercise sticks from some old crutches.“We were told, ‘by stepping into our facility, youhave stepped where most will not — not even the familymembers of our patients,’” said Kris Vacek, OTD, chairand associate professor of OT. “That alone helps healthem, and it’s what made this experience so special.”Sophomore Ali Burr spends her time on Friday nightsteaching piano and improvisational skills to youngchildren, and senior Stephanie Hutcheson teachescomputer skills and English to adults. Others, includingseniors Eric Thompson and Teresa Scalard, took Madigan’sclass in past semesters but continue to volunteer atthe church. Thompson fixes computers and teaches computerskills, and Scalard teaches English.According to Kathleen Madigan, Ph.D., professor ofclassical and modern languages, the atmosphere at thechurch can be free-flowing and spontaneous. One studentmight be teaching piano to a child while another offersan English lesson to some adults. Often the others willcrowd around hoping to learn something too. SeniorColbert Root, who teaches English on Saturday mornings,has noted the strong sense of community as partof this exchange.“Sometimes what is a lesson for one personbecomes a lesson for all,” he says.The goals of the project are to give the studentsreal-world experience with the culture of a Francophonecountry, to explore the issues facing immigrantsand to get to know the Haitian participantsthrough activities centered around learning.Burr never thought she would find a French-speakingcommunity in Kansas City. What she found was agroup of warm and hospitable people and an excellentopportunity to practice her language skills.“The best part is learning firsthand and being aroundpeople from a French-speaking country,” she says.Ro c k h u r s t4w i n t e r 2007 5