Hello all! It has been a very long time since you've heard from me here, but I hope I was able to see most of you while I was in the US recently. It was a blessed time filled with both relaxation and work, gatherings with friends and family, a little travel, and quite a few projects at home. I am thankful to have had the time and thankful to have met many of you who are new to following these updates. If that is you, feel free to scroll down and read past blog posts for more details and pictures related to what's been going on these past few years. Since it has been many months since my last post I will not try to fill you in on all that has taken place, but instead jump straight to the recent past!
Soon after my return to Ukraine, I joined a team of American prosthetics and surgeons for a week in central Ukraine. They met with patients and fabricated prosthetic limbs while I got to teach the patients exercises and also work on gait training immediately after receiving their new limbs. I would say 80% or more of those who came for prosthetic legs were soldiers injured in the war.
The team also partnered with the local medical academy to host a one-day conference, open to both students and professionals. A local Ukrainian physician lectured on pediatric rehabilitation, an American physician lectured virtually on amputations, and I lectured on rehabilitation after total hip replacement. Since physical therapy deals with human movement, I do not just stand behind a podium and lecture for long. I like to demonstrate and have my students actively participate. With a crowd of about 150 people, it was not feasible to get much active participation from them, but I still prepared equipment and demonstrated as much as I could. This seemed particularly intriguing to them as (to my surprise) phones started popping up across the auditorium to take video! In the end, all parties involved considered the conference to be beneficial and informative and would like to conduct something similar when the American team returns to Ukraine.
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| Panel discussion with Ukrainian and American medical professionals |
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| Ukrainian physician who also lectured |
So what is going on at Agape these days? Well, much is the same. Rehabilitation for civilians and wounded soldiers continues. But recently we have had some of our youngest patients ever. Makar is a 9-year-old boy who was hit by a car while crossing the road after getting off the school bus. He spent three weeks with us and progressed with holding his head, standing, and communicating. We hope he will return for more rehabilitation in the nearest future!
Our team also recently worked with little Tima, who lives nearby and has CP. His mother repeatedly requested rehab at Agape, so the administration decided we would do it. We traditionally only work with children with acquired traumas, like Makar and a few other boys recently. For this bout of rehab, the classroom was converted into a pediatric therapy room and Tima worked there with his therapists. We will see what the future holds as far as further pediatric rehab at Agape.
Below is one of my patients from last summer. He is a pastor at another church in Lutsk and came for rehab following a stroke. I really enjoyed working with him and helping him achieve his goals. Toward the end of rehab, he even helped me wash my car one evening at Agape. And on his last day, we strolled through the nearby forest because his biggest goal was to be able to walk on the uneven terrain so he could mushroom hunt in the fall. By the way, mushroom hunting is really big in Ukraine. I have been a few times, but always have to ask my Ukrainian friends if I found safe, edible mushrooms or poisonous ones.
In addition to rehab, Agape continues to send teams twice a month to the de-occupied areas of Ukraine to deliver clothes, food, medication, etc to the residents of those regions. Construction of the Resource Center also continues, with the emphasis currently on completing the underground shelter.
There are also some new things to report about Agape. While I was in the US, we were granted a medical license! With that naturally come standards we must adhere to, one of which is implementing electronic documentation. So, at this time, I am assisting with understanding that and getting it implementing. Also, Ukraine is "soon" to require that physical therapists acquire a certain number of continued education hours annually. This is a step in the right direction of holding the profession to a higher standard. So, we are in the process of applying for Agape to become a provider of courses. If and when Agape is given this status, I will begin holding courses for our team and, Lord willing, later also welcoming professionals from outside Agape. Thank you to those who have been praying for clear direction for me upon my return. These are the two new directions of Agape that I am currently actively participating in.
Please, continue praying for Agape and Ukraine: For the war to stop. For the many wounded soldiers who come through Agape to maximally regain their independence through rehab. For all of our patients and their family members to hear the gospel while at Agape. For the financial provision needed for Agape to continue functioning. For finances necessary to proceed with the construction project. For protection for our men from army mobilization. For safety for our teams traveling to the de-occupied regions of Ukraine. For implementation of new processes at Agape necessary with a medical licensure. For peace across Ukraine!
Thank you for your continued support and prayers!!
