on the week in which we step it up a notch with the physio...

So the majority of my time here at Suubi is split between the big toddler unit and the special needs unit. After a big move from Kampala this week, we now have 15 children in the special needs unit, whose ages range from infants up to age 10; each with varying degrees of medical conditions and physical challenges.

Part of my focus while I am here is to do one-on-one work with a few of the children in this group; mainly to provide developmental opportunites to the kids that their very busy nannies do not have the chance to do on a daily basis.

As of right now, I'm working primarily with Nicole and Bethany. Both of these girls have been at baby Watoto since 2007 and have made huge strides in their progress over the past several years. Nicole, who has had mulitple surgeries to correct a hydracephalus condition, is VERY active; walking and talking (always and to anyone that will listen...)

We've now implemented a weekly walk down to the lower Watoto village (Suubi II) for a visit with Makeda and Moses; two former special needs kids from the home that were moved into village houses last year. The walk is quite the trek for her (about 1km each way with a hill included on the way home), but as our route takes us through the rurual Suubi village, she takes every opportunity to chat it up with every person that we walk past... children, storekeepers, Watoto village security...

Here she is pictured below on last weeks visit. Hard to get these three to look AND smile at the camera at the same time, so inspite of the very serious look on Moses' face, they have a great visit each week!

Bethany, who has CP, is a very bright little girl, inspite of her daily challenges to freely move about and communicate with those around her. We are working very hard at her walking right now, and it takes daily convincing to get willing participation for her physio time.

Last week she had the measles, and was in quarantine in the clinic for several days. Once she was on the mend, I busted her out for an hour, and we worked together to create a special walking chart to use as an incentive to complete her physio exercises each day. She adds stickers to the chart after each session, and when she has completed a full week, she has special "Bethany-only" rewards (art projects, manicures... all things little girls love).

Today I had a meeting with her physio therapist who works with a number of Watoto children in both the babies homes and children's villages. As it turns out the routine that I was having her do was way too easy, so as of today, up goes the intensity... much to her disagreement :)

Here she is pictured below working on squats to help strengthen her leg muscles. The goal is to have her in-time walking completely un-assisted.

A proud moment... standing all by herself! 

And her "favorite" part... walking up the ramp with her walker. This one took a lot of convincing. But 5 days a week, and a few months down the road, and I have no doubt that she'll be walking this ramp like a champion! 

Reaching her target... touching the light on the wall!