A Week in Rehab!

Jess was very excited recently to do her first stint of work experience. She had to pick a department on the ship she would like to work in and submit an application. She was over the moon when she received a "yes' from the Rehab Team Leader, Joanne. One of the things she was most excited to begin with was the chance to wear scrubs. Above Jess is in her scrubs just inside the rehab tent on the dock. The tents are huge with proper flooring and are fully air conditioned. At the beginning of each field service they are assembled over a matter of days and at the end of a field service they are disassembled and packed up onto the ship.

The rehab/physio/outpatients tent. As I was taking this photo I had a cheeky little boy jump in the frame!

The patients return to the rehab and outpatients tent after they have been discharged from the wards on board. They come daily to begin with to have their wounds dressed. Gradually their visits decrease to include regular physio for those who have had orthopaedic surgery or other general surgery that requires it. Jessica and the rehab team spent a large part of the week assessing patients from the ship's 2010 field service in Togo. Above are sleeping Ali and his mum, Oure.

Jess at the physio table.

We could never achieve all we were meant to achieve without the aid of our amazing day workers. Their services are especially vital as translators, in French and Ewe speaking Togo. Jessica and Sarah pose for the camera with a curious Anama in the background.

Then Anama wanted a photo too! I often see Anama around the ship and he says to me, "Jessica's mum, Jessica's mum", even though I have told him my name. I also get called "Mrs Andrew" quite a bit too!

Jess on the work out mat. On of the duties Jess was given was to show and help patients to squat.

Jessica really shone in her week of work experience. The paediatric patients adore her and she is very natural with all patients no matter their condition. In saying that, Joanne, the rehab team leader did tell me that Jessica told her in no uncertain terms that she didn't want to watch any more dressing changes! It is amazing the opportunities that Jessica is having that she would never have back in Australia. God is doing amazing things in her life and she is turning into a compassionate and generous young woman. We are very proud!