This week’s blog is a guest post from Lis Crawford, occupational therapist. Lis recently served  as the fieldwork supervisor for two occupational therapy students from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). Lis has worked with our therapy program at ASELSI several times before, but this was the first time for her to serve in this capacity. 

Where can you find warm, generous, Christ-centered hospitality, beautiful sunrises that bathe the hillsides in golden light, cock crow alarm clocks, cheerful birdsong, vibrant colored flowers, friendly greetings throughout the day, and 5 star accommodations at Carol’s sweet home? ASELSI and Chichicastenango, Guatemala, no less! 

Two Occupational Therapy students, Elizabeth and Victoria from UTMB in Galveston traveled with me to Guatemala the first week of March for a week long level 1 fieldwork rotation, a novel experience for all of us.

Jennifer and Shes had carefully scheduled a week choc full of valuable learning experiences in the clinic, school and community. I will never forget the beautiful, wide, toothless grin on one lady’s face when she realized she could still make a perfect tortilla, admittedly out of theraputty, after recovering from a stroke that impacted the use of her right hand. Her family had not understood that she could return to completing meaningful, functional tasks. They were happy too! 

I thoroughly enjoyed sharing the week with the students and ASELSI staff as we learned from each other. I hope and pray that we will be able to return next year.