Haiti Rehabilitation Centre

The current pandemic is affecting all parts of our working and personal life. The hospital has had to make the decision to close the Rehab Unit to outpatients while the virus is at its most threatening. However, the work with the inpatients cannot and should not stop. The staff are doing an amazing job in tough circumstances. 

Here is the story on one of the current patients, Dickerson:

Dickerson was a carpenter who had set up a business over the border in the Dominican Republic. His business proved to be successful which wasn't to the liking of another local carpenter who was losing business. Shockingly, his rival arranged for Dickerson to be shot. 2 gunman accosted him and he was shot 3 times in the arm and abdomen. 

Dickerson was taken to hospital and operated on. He was then sent back to Haiti and spent months being moved from one facility to another. With effective rehabilitation treatment a rare thing in Haiti, even now, finding the right support for Dickerson to overcome his injuries was hard.

He eventually was referred to our Rehab Centre and HCBH hospital, where he has access to the necessary resources and staff knowledge to adapt to his new environment. His goals are to walk and move again just like he did before and he will be supported all the way to reach those goals.

Your support is especially important during the tough times. Thank you so much.

This weekend marks the 10th anniversary of the devastating Haiti earthquake in 2010. It was a disaster on a huge scale, killing 250,000, injuring a further 300,000 and leaving millions without  homes. This event sparked HHA’s response to provide treatment and rehabilitation for those who suffered spinal cord injuries during the earthquake. This work remains a core part of our mission in Haiti and now includes a wider range of disability rehabilitation. On 12th January, we remember all those who suffered and lost 10 years ago in Haiti. 

In December, I had the privilege to spend some time in Haiti where I met an incredible young man.  Stevenson is 19 years old and has Down Syndrome.  Last year Stevenson’s mother called some of the staff at our hospital desperate for help.  As his mother shared more about Stevenson it was clear he’d had a bad stroke. Despite his condition, he was turned away from multiple health facilities who said they couldn’t help.  His family finally made the decision to take the 7 hour journey to our Rehabilitation Unit so Stevenson could receive care.

When he arrived, Stevenson was unable to walk or talk due to his stroke.  After extensive rehabilitation at our unit, it was incredible to witness him now proudly walking around the Rehab Unit as the life and soul of the hospital.

One afternoon I attended our hospital chapel and was moved to witness one of our Chaplains called Samuel, a tetraplegic survivor from the earthquake who was one of our first spinal rehabilitation patients, leading worship.  On the front row, Stevenson was joyfully playing a tambourine, also taking the lead singing!

Ten years ago, it would have been hard to find such an image in Haiti.  Individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries, like Samuel, had a 1-2 year life expectancy and people like Stevenson would rarely have found such care, leaving them with life-long debilitating disabilities.  Since we started our rehabilitation work as a result of the earthquake we’ve helped transform the lives of thousands of people with disabilities.

Sadly, I doubt the media will spend much time reflecting on Haiti this weekend.  For those that do, there may be the inevitable questions over what’s been achieved in Haiti since 2010.  On this special anniversary we’d ask you to stop and remember those friends and staff dear to us who tragically lost loved ones. But as you reflect, may you also remember their incredible courage which has enabled stories, like Stevenson’s, to become a reality.

We pass on our deep thanks to you for all your support since 12th January 2010.  We also take this moment to stand in solidarity with our Haitian brothers and sisters, praying for them and committing to stand with them now and in the future.