A day at the hospital...

Wow, today was tiring, but so encouring! We went to the hospital ready to help, not sure of what we would encounter. The doctors first took us to the babies. We saw several with feeding tubes who seemed to be doing well. We were able to share proper positioning techniques, swaddling, and massage. Then we gave them the NICU items we brought. They were very fascinated with those. Afterwards, they took us to a room in the neuro ward and had about 5 or 6 mothers in there with their children for us to examine and give our recommendations. It was really fun and more and more doctors starting gathering in the room to observe. Although we were so busy that we hardly had time to notice them. At this point we had been working from 10-2 or 2:30. They asked us to rest and have hot tea, chocolates and cookies. (That was lunch) Then 30 minutes later we were back at it. We visited the orphan rooms. There were about 7 babies in one room who were waiting on their official papers so that they could be transfered to the orphanage. One with CP and one with Down's syndrome. They were adorable. We were about to share the same techeniques with them as the previous baby room. We also mentioned the need for mobiles, mirrors, music, talking to them, rocking, and rattles. We are hoping to get a baby swing for them tonight. The next room over was three older babies- 1 year and a ~3 year old boy who had been taken away from his parents after being burned with cigarettes. He and his sister were about to be transferred to the orphanage as well.

Each room received toys and positioning aids, some recieved books and therapy balls. They were so intrigued by what we were doing although it was so simple...which they said made them so much more interested! No rocket science needed here. Only time, attention, and love. I believe it was almost everyone's favorite day. The doctors want us to come and do a make shift clinic there next time with PT, OT, Speech stations for parents to bring their children and get home exercise programs. There is no such thing in Ukraine at the present time. Wow. This connections might mean huge changes here!!! Then our goal will be to help them set up a school for children with special needs. At this point they are not welcome in the schools if they can not go up several flights of stairs. When the children get old enough that people can tell that they have special needs they get ridiculed on the streets. The families pretty much just stay at home. This is why so many are given up for adoption here. Although the people we have met all have seen the pictures of our children and our story. They see how every child can be raised as a 'typical' child.
One poopy piece of news. A visitor of our lectures in the orphanage tried to turn us in for lecturing there. Praise the Lord, we had made sure to have legal documents made and legalized prior to our arrival. The person's complaint was that we were approved to work with children, not orphans. This it the mentality we are fighting against. But God is doing amazing things and softening a lot of people's hearts here. They can not wait to learn how to help more.

Tonight we will be going to celebrate Carmen's birthday...a little belated. :o) Please remember to check out the pictures on her blog at www.theharphappenings.blogspot.com. It takes too long for both of us to do it. Although I hope to put some on when we are back at home. Tomorrow will be our final day in this town prior to heading to Kiev. We will finish delivering all our donations, teach one doctor how to cast for braces, play with the children, and say our goodbyes. I hope to have time to write tomorrow, but no promises. We get on a train tomorrow night that will be 15 hours long. Whew-hew!