Volunteering Days 5 & 6

We cannot believe we already have to make preparations for leaving! My how time flies!

On Monday Talin and I started our work day by seeing Virap again. Here we are fitting him with a SoftPro splint to preserve right forearm, wrist, & hand tendon length and prevent muscle contracture (permanent loss of range of motion):

We then saw Artak and taught him “towel squeeze" exercises to promote digit flexion and extension:

Artak showing off his new ability to extend his arm and keep his fingers straight (they kept wanting to curl as a result of the nerve injury he sustained):

Everyday we eat lunch with our coworkers in the staff room. Lunch is pooled and consists of whatever people bring from home (usually home-cooked leftovers which have been shad hamov!).

After lunch Talin and I led an inservice on some of the rehab equipment we are providing to the patients and donating to the center.

Tuesday we started our workday by teaching Razmik exercises on the balance board. We are trying to wean him off of needing upper body support while standing and walking.

Hasmik showing off her new thumb immobilization splint which we provided her last week. Since wearing it, the swelling has gone down, and she reports less pain. We also had a patient education handout for her condition translated into Armenian. Knowledge is power!

Today Artak was given a bottle of pain relief cream, Theraputty to help continue strengthening his hands, other items for developing fine motor control, and a home exercise program translated into Armenian:

After work we had a lovely experience visiting Geghard Monastery and Garni Temple. This photo was taken on our way to Geghard:

More to come!