Two of ALYN’s therapists, Hemda Rotem, physiotherapist (3rd from right) and Naomi Gefen, Director of Occupational Therapy and Acting Director of Shachar Day Care services (3rd from left), recently spent a week in Odessa as part of a medical mission under the auspices of Jewish Health International. This is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization which brings together healthcare volunteers from the United States and Israel— Hemda and Naomi were joined by a physician and speech therapist from the U.S. - a collaboration that provides long-lasting relationships between participants, a commitment to the State of Israel, and the legacy of Tikun Olam (repairing the world). The mission of JHI is to enhance and improve the quality and access to healthcare services for vulnerable communities throughout the world. JHI focuses on the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, Israel and areas stricken by disaster.
The goal of this particular mission to Odessa was to give professional medical and paramedical consultations and lectures to local care givers, professionals and families of special needs children.
On their return to Israel Naomi and Hemda reported on their visit. “The experience was very memorable for us because of the staff we worked with, the completely different approach to rehabilitation (in Ukraine physiotherapy is massage therapy and occupational therapy does not exist) and the exposure to a very different culture. “
During their week in Odessa the ALYN therapists, in the presence of the local therapists, conducted in-depth evaluations for children with special needs and demonstrated therapeutic techniques, equipment and hands – on intervention.
Naomi sites 3 particular instances where she feels that the team’s intervention will definitely result in a positive change in the lives of these youngsters:
- During their visit to the Habad school the team diagnosed 8 year old twins with Tourette Syndrome. These boys had always been described as trouble makers and as such they had made no progress in school and were causing a lot of tension within their family. After the team had diagnosed and explained to the twins’ mother and to the school staff the implications of this syndrome, they made practical suggestions how the boys can be helped both within the school and in social situations. By understanding the problem which these boys are facing on a daily basis the boys’ family and teachers will now have the basic “tools” to build for them a more productive and positive atmosphere both within the family framework and within the community.
- A three year old girl, born with cerebral palsy and who had suffered from meningitis when she was only 10 days old, was not crawling, walking or talking. Following a detailed evaluation by the JHI team, various treatment methods were demonstrated to her mother. However, more importantly, the team realized that she was suffering from deep feelings of guilt, believing that she had caused her daughter’s condition as a result of pushing too hard during labor. The JHI team were very moved to see her tremendous relief following their explanations that it was not her fault.
- A one and half year old boy born with cerebral palsy spent the first 7 months of his life in hospital before being transferred to the Jewish Orphanage. Here he receives 2 massage therapy sessions a day. At the beginning of the team’s evaluation, with his therapist present, the little boy did not make eye contact and only succeeded in walking on his toes with the help of the therapists. Naomi and Hemda worked with him and showed the massage therapist proper positioning, gait exercises, cuddling and specific handling which facilitates communication. ALYN’s therapists feel that this child has immense potential and that with correct therapy, he will learn to walk and become independently mobile.
Hemda and Naomi conclude: “Many children whom we saw had been diagnosed as having ”increased blood pressure in the brain”, a diagnosis which is not known in the West. Children in the Ukraine are over diagnosed, over medicated and under treated by rehabilitative therapies. There is no special education for children with special needs and they learn at home having no interaction with other children. We saw how much work there is to be done in Odessa in the field of pediatric rehabilitation and therefore we believe that there must be a follow up mission in order to facilitate much- needed change.”
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