Haiti Rehabilitation Centre

In our last report, we highlighted the exciting time one of our rehab patients had in London, representing Haiti at the London 2012 Paralympians.  Just a few months after he returned, the legacy of London really started in Haiti, as we partnered with a number of groups and opened Haiti's first purpose built Inclusive Sports Centre, as part of our rehabilitation unit.

It's been amazing to see the community get involved in this new area of our work.  The heart behind this exciting new facility is to empower persons with disabilities, and overcome the stigma of disability which so often alienates persons with disabilities from the community.  The good news is...it's working!  Some of the local community who once looked on and laughed at some of our patients playing sport, now use the gym with them, and are developing friendships!  This includes our wheelchair basket ball players, playing with able bodied users, and the local amputee football team using the gym for training.  One person from the local community said 'this is the first time something has been built, where they can come with our disabled friends.' 

The rehab unit has really benefited from this project.  One of our younger rehab patients had been suffering with severe depression, as he tried to come to terms with his paralysis.  However, thanks to the continued work of our team and the new sports activities available, his outlook was completely transformed, and he left the hospital as a confident, young man.  This is just one example of the difference being made thanks to your support!  Please continue to join us, as we seek to empower those with disabilities, and prove that disability is not inability!

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