Uganda Medical: PT for Children w Disabilities

Hey everyone!

 

My name is Austin Hardin and I am in my second year of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at George Fox University. As I finish my training, I have been given an opportunity to go to Uganda on a service trip to provide care to children and adults with disabilities.

 

According to the Uganda Household Survey, 16% of its population lives with a disability and 90% of the children with disabilities don’t have access to/or privilege to enjoying the rights to survival, development, protection, and participation (Uganda Society for Disabled Children Report 2015). Although there are dozens of humanitarian organizations in Uganda, very few exist (and even fewer are trained) to meet the needs of the physically disabled.

 

The purpose of the service trip to Uganda is two­fold. The main reason is to partner with local leaders and advocacy groups (Legal Action for Persons with Disabilities, LAPD) to provide training, education and instruction in the treatment and management of children and adults with disabilities. Members of this advocacy group are attorneys with disabilities who founded LAPD in 2005. Their determination, in part, was the result of barriers that they themselves overcame. We are collaborating with these organizations to help provide opportunities to meet the physical and educational needs that exist in these communities. Time is spent at two boarding schools for the disabled where we treat, train, and equip children, teachers, and caregivers. Additionally, we partner with local physicians and help run a free primary care clinic for the underserved. I’ll be able to utilize my differential diagnosis skills and assist in the management of care in the rural areas.

 

Being a part of a service group in Africa is something that I have always been passionate about and I feel incredibly blessed that I now have the opportunity to do so in a community that truly needs it, while also gaining an invaluable experience that will help me to grow as a Physical Therapist and as a person.

 

All donations will go directly towards the cost of the trip. Any amount will be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you so much for your time and consideration!