The Jackson Clinics

6/7/11

Today we toured Alert Hospital, which is the Leprosy and Tuberculosis rehabilitation center. The compound is kept up very well with fresh flowers and lawn maintenance, which contrasts with the lower income and unemployed patients that seek treatment there. We met several of the PTs, Tiramsu and Negit, and finally, the Director of the Physiotherapy department, Demis, who each described to us the type of patients that they typically treat in this department, which included leprosy, car accidents, stroke, cerebral palsy, and congenital deformities. During our tour of the unit, we excused our way through the crowds of patients and their families as they waited for treatment. Their largest treatment room, which is about the size of the Worldgate clinic, was where they treated hand patients. There were seven tables throughout the room with three small wooden benches arranged around each so that the physiotherapist could sit at the other end and work with multiple patients at a time. What disturbed Lili and I the most about this set up was that patients were sitting around each table and wiggling their fingers, occasionally. There was no skilled exercises being performed or instructed, nor was their equipment for hand stretching or strengthening. I had the opportunity to talk to one of the PTs, , while he was massaging and gently stretching an 8 year old boy’s arm (2 years s/p radius and ulna fracture which had caused nerve damage) about the services that he provided. He talked about his treatment plan (massage, stretching and splinting) and then proceeded to interview me for 10 minutes (during which he had stopped working with the child and with the other 4 patients around him to direct all of his attention to our discussion). (more…)

6/6/11

I woke up nice and early, otherwise known as 4am, to the sound of dogs barking and men chanting…

We arrived at the Black Lion Hospital this morning and did a self-guided tour of the campus while looking for the physiotherapy department. We were saved by the ring of the cell phone as Abinet called to locate us and direct us to the correct building. Phew! (more…)

6/5/11

I arrived in Addis Ababa at 8:35am. It took about an hour to get through the Visa office and to claim my luggage, but I was relieved to find Ted easily outside. The weather was beautiful all day, sunny and 80s, with one small thunderstorm in the late afternoon. Ted took me out to breakfast to Bon Café, where I had very delicious strawberry juice (made with bottled water) and eggs with veggies. We then headed towards a birthday party on the outskirts of the city, with a quick stop at the Hilton where I was able to exchange currency. (more…)

12/8/2010

The Jackson Clinics is pleased, and very proud to announce that our program to raise the level of education of physical therapists and care to individuals in Ethiopia has been launched!

Richard Jackson and Dr. Ted Gebriel with the staff at Black Lion Hosipital

Goals:
To improve the quality and quantity of physical therapy services to patients in Ethiopia through updating and broadening therapists’ skills and knowledge of physical therapy across all specialties. Specifically:  

• Offer continuing education to currently practicing therapists.
• Develop an Advanced Studies/Residency Program for physical therapists at Black Lion Hospital with an end goal of honoring them with a doctoral level degree.
• Explore the opportunity and effectiveness of distance learning instruction.
• Partner with Regis University to provide didactic education.
• Implement a doctor of physical therapy curriculum, recognized by the Ministry of Education set to start September 2011. (more…)

6/4/11

I can’t believe it! I’m already sitting on the plane to Ethiopia and 4 hours into the flight. Over the last week, I felt as though I was challenged again and again with opposition as I packed, ran around to complete all of my errands and complete work obligations. I finally finished packing late last night and was seriously worried that my luggage was overweight. I was relieved when the scale read 44lbs! While standing in line at the ticket counter, I was whistled out of the area by the airport police due to an abandoned bag sitting by the window. Luckily, a man came running to the police to claim his bag, only moments before they were about to destroy the unfortunate lost article. (more…)

Richard and Anna Jackson open Learning Center at Black Lion Hospital for the students in the Advanced Studies program for phyisotherapy.  Emotions ran high. We are so very happy for our students! Learn More

4/15/11

I am humbled and honored.

Today was incredible. I packed everything the night before and was ready to depart this morning. My co-volunteers came up to my room to meet me and help carry my bags down to the stairs. We marveled at how quickly the 2 weeks went by and how much we have experienced thus far. (more…)

4/14/11

Today I faced the firing squad.

It was test review day today, and I prefaced the entire morning by saying this was a learning experience for everyone, including the people creating the test. That didn’t ease the tension, unfortunately.

Once they got their tests back, faces shifted into furrowed brows, and hands began raising as clarifications, debates and arguments began flying at me from all angles. I tried to manage the onslaught by going through item by item, discussing the intent of the question and trying to extrapolate the students reasoning for choosing an incorrect answer. (more…)