If you’ve been keeping up with Therapy Clinics International for very long,  you know the heart of what we do is training rehabilitation promoters in communities to meet the needs for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy services. Or more simply, helping people learn to walk, work, and talk. This is the heart of what we do.

However, just teaching him them how to help others is not enough. The work of  rehabilitation promoters can be physically demanding, especially on their backs. We teach our rehabilitation promoters about good body mechanics and how to protect their backs, but sometimes that isn’t enough.

Recently, one of our rehabilitation promoters started having an increase in low back pain. Shesita, program director at ASELSI, took the opportunity to review some basic back strengthening and stretching exercises. We love our staff and want them to work with us as long as they like. So we’re taking time when patients don’t come (the rainy season can bring a drop in attendance) to review how to take care of our backs.

Teaching our rehabilitation promoters how to take care of themselves as they work with others is just as important as learning how to help and serve others. In fact, the clinic staff has also been teaching everyone about diet and exercise.

I hope we will all put these things in practice so we can continue to provide the care we do for people with disabilities. We will serve as long as we can, being an example of health and life.