Sunday, September 14, 2014

Children's Rehabilitation Center Open House

We worked with Deseret International Charities to acquire rehabilitation equipment.  The building and room they were originally in was too small for all the new items. The Director found a new location with two large rooms. One room for the children to learn and play in and the other room was for the rehab center.  We were invited to attend.  When we arrived the City Manager was there, the Director of Handicapped Children from the government's Social Services Division and many of the mothers with special needs kids some of which we met at the children's camp this summer. Erdene Chuluun, the Director Teacher from Sun Child School where we teach, also attended. They were told the Capital Ulaanbaatar does not have the facilities for special needs kids as this rehab offers.
 Altenchimeg, center, is a retired nurse and, now a licensed massage therapist, does all this volunteer work for these children.
Boya, on my right, is a member of the Church, attends school in Japan and interpreted for us this week. She is Mongolian and is fluent in English and Japanese. What a great job she did while our regular interpreter was out of town.



After a tour and describing all the equipment and how it is used, the City Manager promised to get funding for the teachers, to enlarge the building and hire additional staff to accommodate more  Darkhan special needs children.







 This is Meggie. We met her at camp this summer and helped give massage and physical therapy to her. She had a few seizures when younger. In Mongolia they do a spinal tap on each person with seizures. Many end up paralyzed or with other physical damage. Meggie was losing strength and capability on the left side. She could hardly squeeze our hand and her left leg was getting weak too. We taught her a number of muscle building exercises while at camp for the week and made her promise to do them every day, multiple times a day, at home. That evening she gripped our hand and showed us how she could stand on her left leg. This was the best part of the evening.









They surprised us with this plaque. Many kind words were offered. They even had the local TV station tape the event and interview us. Refreshments followed. The lady, between Debbie and I is a Doctor that volunteers her time to give the kids regular checkups and oversees some of their care.





 
We were so pleased to hear from the City Manager that they would be adding additional teachers. The classroom is definitely under staffed. It is physically demanding on the teachers.
We are so grateful for all those who came out to support these children. Many have worked so hard to try and help meet the needs of these precious kids. 
It was a wonderful evening!!

3 comments:

  1. Thank you for helping those little ones with my son. I am just sick about them. Where can I send some money or something? Thank you for being their with Elder Palmer. It makes my heart glad. Jeanette

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  2. Just found your blog! So excited to read more! A flood of memories have come back to me! How much longer are you there??

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  3. Thank you for taking care of the brother and his two sisters. What an answer to prayers you both are. Jeanette

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