We are back from a wonderful trip to Gracias. Over the course of a week, we met about 90 children and their families. With help from our incredible donors and the team at CRILE, especially Dr. Carlos Mazier, Oti Matteo and Dora Maldonado, we were able provide care and counseling to some new kids and some familiar faces.
Every day children would line up at with their families at CRILE to see Dr. Ben Klein and Dr. Angie Ip and our team of therapists, Ashley Jakovljevic, Bernette Kay, Laura Bradley and Christine Veldhuis. Many of them had cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, and other developmental challenges. We worked with parents to teach them skills for caring for their kids and help them understand their conditions.
Bernette and a little one working on stability.
Laura and Bernette working with a new friend and checking his mobility.
Ashley and Laura working on a chair for this little patient.
Dr. Ip did a sidewalk consult with a very shy patient in Las Flores, a town just down the road from Gracias.
Laura working with a child during a learning disability assessment.
Out amazing therapists fit this child with a new brace and outfitted him with a walker so he can walk!
We created a supportive chair for this child who doesn’t have the strength to sit up on his own.
Another supportive chair for this little lady. She uses the tray as well as the cushioning and straps for support. Look at that smile!
We also created a wrist support for this boy who had a wrist injury.
This year’s trip was a big success. The donated supplies and braces made a big difference for kids who otherwise wouldn’t have access to these essential devices. Thank you to everyone who supported us, and we can’t wait for next year!