University of Puget Sound Occupational Therapy

The following entry was written by Melissa Giles, MSOTS, Team 18 Volunteer

Following their first year of graduate school in occupational therapy at the University of Puget Sound, four students were able to continue the learning process outside of the classroom walls.  In their first two days in Mazatlan at Padres y Compadres & Push International’s shared therapy center, Team 18 learned about the many types of wheelchairs and adjustable features of each.  The team was then able to assist Sergio Valdez, the gifted wheelchair mechanic, with the fixing and cleaning of all types of donated wheelchairs.  Each wheelchair was handled with a specific recipient in mind since the team had access to “solicitudes” or forms containing information about the individual and his or her condition. 

After the “tuning up” of the wheelchairs, they were transported to a church in the capital city of Sinaloa, Mexico, called Culiacan.  At this location, the students, translators, and Push staff set up two distribution stations and got to work!  Over two days, Team 18 was able to find and fit wheelchairs, walkers, or canes (or all three!) for about 50 people of various ages and needs.  Team 18, with the great help of the translators, also had the unique opportunity of educating the recipients about pressure sores and wheelchair safety.  Many individuals left the wheelchair distribution with a renewed sense of hope and ability to better engage in the world around them.

Team 18 not only learned invaluable information about wheelchairs and therapy from the staff, but also witnessed many exciting changes to the facility during the summer of 2010. Back at the therapy center or “Hub” in Mazatlan, Team 18 was able to assist with hippotherapy, learn about kinesio taping, lead an art activity with the children, and witness the grand opening of the new room—the occupational therapy gym!  This room is warm and welcoming and so it is fitting that above the entrance is a “bienvenidos” (or welcome) sign.  Inside the gym are colorful pieces of lycra, hammocks, and swings hanging from the ceiling.  Bree Lair, co-founder of Push International, introduced the gym to the Padres y Compadres staff and demonstrated the various ways in which the children can work on social, emotional, cognitive, and motor skills through play.   

Team 18’s week came to a close with a reluctance to leave. 
The Padres y Compadres staff was so welcoming and the children brought constant joy!  The expressed gratitude by wheelchair recipients was immense and moving. Learning to
listen to people’s needs and helping them obtain their goals, however big or small, are vital skills that Team 18 will continue
to utilize and build upon as future occupational therapists.

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