Bangladesh - Testimonials
Laura Doig
Occupational Therapy Graduate
I completed a seven week placement at the centre for the Rehabilitation of The Paralysed (CRP) in Bangladesh. I worked with people in the acute and rehabilitation stages following spinal cord injuries. The centre has basic facilities including traction beds for acute patients who have sustained cervical spinal injuries and are unable to undergo surgery. Due to the limited resources, language barriers and significant cultural differences, it has been a very challenging, but satisfying placement. During my time here I had the opportunity to work with two patients, one in the acute phase on cervical traction and the other in the active rehabilitation stage. I was also able to design equipment to be built, involved in upper limb group therapy sessions, played wheelchair basketball each afternoon with the patients and completed vocational and wheelchair assessments. The centre also organised many trips to other NGO's E.g. orphanages. This was really beneficial. One of the highlights of my experience was going on home visits to see individuals that have been discharged from CRP inpatients for a number of years. It was great to get a better insight into the culture and lifestyle of village life which was helpful for therapy with my patients.
Alison Flint
Occupational Therapy Graduate
I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go to Bangladesh for my final placement. For seven weeks I worked in the spinal cord inpatient unit. While I was there my role consisted of rehabilitation, creating hand therapy guidelines, creating equipment and being involved in small projects.
In Bangladesh most patients have very little English. As a result I found that my communication skills improved dramatically and that I started to use non verbal communication automatically. At times this was very funny because I was making wired gestures as I tried to get my meaning across. One incident still stands out. I was trying to explain to my patients why we were practicing transferring from side to side with his arms wide. Complex movements need to be exaggerated and repeated, many times.
The patients I met were amazing. In the face of poverty they were motivated to return home and start new jobs. They work hard and were really patient when I was trying to communicate and attempting different activities with them. It was amazing to have workshop facilities at the hospital. When we designed the equipment we were able to talk to the metal and woodwork supervisors so that I could describe the drawings. It was really exciting to be able to visit the workshops and see the equipment take shape.
I loved meeting the people in Bangladesh. Although it was a challenging placement, I am planning on going back to the spinal injury unit in the next two years and continuing to learn from the therapist, as well as, to share my knowledge.