For the OT's out there...

There's been a lot of new things in the last week, but I'll try to pace myself so that I don't overwhelm you with one giant post!

Disclaimer: this is probably more for the OT's out there.  I apologize to all the non-OT's, and promise to make it up to you next time!

We're now done our first week of placement.  The structure of the OT department here isn't what I'd expected.  It's essentially three-tiers, with one OT.  The first level is the Early Stimulation Centre, this is where the resident OT is based, and where we spend our mornings.  The second tier is the day-school program where higher functioning kids go every day.  Jen & I will be working in the school every afternoon, taking kids out for 1:1 work.  Here special ed teachers work with the kids in a way that's (in theory) similar to the special ed programs in Ontario and based on functional skills.  The third level is Guludene, the residential day school - here kids live at the school 1.5 hours out of Kampala. These are the highest functioning kids who are more or less independent.  I don't know much about Guludene, but plan to spend a week there soon (I'm excited to see what Ugandan life is like in the villages!)

The Early Stimulation Centre is really... interesting.  I came into this knowing that OT wouldn't be what I expected, but still I'm surprised at what I'm seeing.  They have more material resources than I would have expected, but have only one OT who has had 2 years of post-secondary training.  While the essentials of OT seem to be there (emphasis on functionality, working with the family to set goals, occupation-driven goals) they come out in very different ways.  For example, every morning there is an 'ADL session' where all of the kids are sat in front of a mirror, and one by one they are forced to brush their teeth - even those who are nowhere near capable of doing this independently.  It made me cringe.
It's been a struggle to figure out how best to use our skills while respecting the fact that this is a different culture (broadly speaking and in terms of the workplace culture), and simulatenously keeping in mind that I will only be here for 6 weeks.

One of my biggest challenges is knowing that there's so much more that could be done for some of these kids, and while I can put all of my time and energy into doing this while I'm here, the reality is that as soon as I leave things will likely go back to the way they were before.
I didn't anticipate this kind of culture shock - OT culture shock.  This is mostly driven by how badly I want to see these kids thrive.

While there will be challenges, there will also be big rewards - I'm sure of it.

Some of those have been as simple as Thursday afternoon play time.  Every Thursday the kids from the school gather in the yard to play some kind of big group activity.  This week it was playing 'cat and mouse' with a parachute - kids and teachers alike cheering on the mouse and running around like mad people!  Great fun!
Then on Friday afternoon as a treat the teachers held a giant dance party outside during a rainstorm - all of the kids came out and danced their faces off.  I'm embarassed to say that a lot of these kids have signifcantly better rhythm than I do.  And MAN they've got moves!  It was such a treat to get out there in the midst of this pile of kids and dance with them while the rain was pouring down (unfortunately no pics of these - those would have been goodies!)


On a non-OT related note, last night was our first night on the town.  Went for a great dinner with some friends we met at Sanyu Babies Home, followed by a quick stop into a renouned bar for some dancing.  The night was young by Ugandan standards, but we were tired so it ended early.  Tonight, though, we're going out prepared.  Starting the night late and ready for some amazing dancing (man, these people can DANCE!  My Dutch blood isn't doing me any good on the dance floor - but it's great to get out there and be surrounded by people who can move like this!)

For Dadsie & Steph - made me think of you! :)