Why has no one posted about CRP??

For over a week now we all have been working at CRP (Center for the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed). This organization is massive and self sustaining compound that focuses on all aspects of disabilities. The center has a pediatrics unit which has both indoor and outdoor therapy and physical and occupational therapy. Loren has been working in this unit working with the physical therapist and helping with research and writing proposals. Adam has been working taking information from this unit and compiling data to make graphs and information for the past year. He also is developing a new program to evaluate pediatric patients progress as they pass through. There is also a 120 spinal injury patients that are tetra and paraplegic patients in 8 wards. Natalie has been working in the nursing station helping take care of patients along with other student nurses who study at the school located on premise. Along with the nursing school they also have physical therapy and speech and language therapy schools where students can perform clinical classes on the premise. There is also occupational and physical therapy for the patients who stay at CRP and out patients who can come for day therapy. There are also hostels for patients who live far away, or for families who have family members with in the nursing wards. Are you beginning to see a pattern?? They have everything!!! More areas: Metal workshop where they make there own wheelchairs which can last in the terrain, programs to teach patients new trades they can perform after their injuries, such as a wood shop and a newly bought and jerry-rigged motor rickshaw for a paraplegic man.

The most amazing part is that all of this has started by one lady Valerie Taylor who moved to Bangladesh 40 years ago with the plan to stay for 4 months and has ended up living here for the last 40 years starting and running this center.

Mandy and myself have had the pleasure of having the best job here – working in the school which integrates mainstream students and disabled children. We have both been working in some of the disabled kids classes and group therapy. There are 38 student from the age of 5 – 22, all having different levels of Cerebral Palsy except one, who has extreme limb birth defects It is amazing to see what these students are able to do in their classes since being here. One kid that I have gotten close to is Pordiff who has been at the school longer than any other kid there. When he first came he could not speak, sit up, or anything beside lay on his stomach. He now is in class 4, can walk on his own, speak and spell in Bengali and English and communicate by speaking and spelling words in a communication book they set up for him. He is always smiling, and his joy is so infectious. This week he has been super excited because we will be playing soccer and loves to jam on the air guitar. All of the kids here are incredible, Mandy and I are blown away everyday with how smart, loving, driven, funny and full of life these kids are. It has truly been a blessing to spend time with them.

A typical day at the school for us… What I did today…

Went to the youngest students class and worked for the first part of class with a boy on writing ABC’s. He did great writing and we also worked on speaking, due to speech problems. He wanted to keep going over and over the ABC’s and was very persistent to do well. The teachers are also amazing with the teaching and love that they pour into these kids everyday. The other part of class we did fine motor therapy with learning to tear paper and speech therapy with saying different sounds, blowing air and other activities and games. In the afternoon after lunch we have group physical therapy doing everything from singing to walking with braces, stairs for the kids who can, and other forms of physical therapy, speech therapy, basic life skills, games and playing. Mandy has been able to do horseback riding with some of the kids as well.

It has been incredible being able to be with these kids everyday. Its crazy that we did not expect at all to be with kids on this trip and Mandy and I have been able to be with kids the whole time. God is so good! I leave the school everyday with such a full heart. These kids motivate me, teach me, and everyday blow me away.

Other activities over the past week; Bengali Wedding, Ordination for some priests we met at Missionaries of Charity, Our first real monsoon rain – praise God, people were really concerned that there was no rain.

Thursday we leave for Bogra a city in Northern Bangladesh or go work at another organization. We are all excited to be able to see some of the countryside and work with people in villages.

Much Love

Josh – and yes I’m still in my lungi.