Thursday, February 25, 2010

Free Physicals!

http://picasaweb.google.com/Geedz913/OrphanageKidsPhysicals?feat=directlink
Today we set up clinic at the orphanage, Mom and Dad's room while they were here, and did physicals on all of the orphanage kids! Dr. Sprauge and Amy, a 4th year med student, were seeing the kids just to do a general check.

We started at 9am with the English Institute kids so that they could get done in time for class. First up...Freddy! He did well, didn't talk much, but didn't refuse the testicular exam either. Then comes Moncho and Ariel. Oh boy did they refuse the exam! Only after some convincing from Zuni, the administrator did they agree to get checked. And from there on, the boys became more and more reluctant to come upstairs for their physical! Word travels fast! :)

They got through several kids this morning, about 14-15 of them. Lots of boys and lots of persuading but we made it. The kids are so funny because typically they are outgoing with their personalities, but they all become mute and shy around doctors or dentists.

In the morning, Amy was doing vitals while Dr. Sprague saw the patients. Here is Jose Luis getting his blood pressure checked!

In the afternoon, there were more kids that needed to be seen so Amy started seeing patients as well. These were all the little kids who are pretty healthy. We did hear a few heart murmurs, see a few extra digits, clean out some ear wax but all in all healthy, shy kids but nothing serious.

Not only were the kids patients, but I became a patient as well. Paola wanted to check my blood pressure for me! They loved playing with all of the gadgets.

While at first a little weary and timid, they did open up some and play just like any kids. Franchesca was ready to come upstairs everytime we opened the door and finally she got to come up. However, as soon as she came up, she was in my arms and wouldn't let go. We had to ask the psychologist that works with the kids to come up and help and she was still fearful and crying as we tried to get her height! I had to sit her in my lap to get checked out but she did great!
Luis Alberto came upstairs with his typical terrified look. I think he got scarred for life this fall after they took out two of his teeth. It took a little convincing to reassure him nothing was going to happen. He was smiling by the end. Jochi, who is 15, even kept telling me that he was scared. All she was doing was listening to his heart and lungs and he kept saying he was scared!

Ari and Arianni came upstairs together and were cute as ever. They were hopping around on one foot, entertaining themselves, stealing hand sanitizer and hamming it up as always. Arianni had this one piece outfit on that had to be taken off and so I tried to tickle her. She raised her arm for me to test and see that she was no longer ticklish! She was wrong! :)

Winston wins for best smile of the day...and ties his brother, William, for best sandal tan of the year!


No comments:

Post a Comment