Tag Archives: orthopaedic

School Year End

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Hola Kristiina,

Dani has now finished his course and is ready to receive the yearly certificate of completion. This is rewarding for him, as well as for all of us.

Please see Tesfaye´s last news on his progress:

June 17th,

“… though this time is rainy in Addis, Dani is practicing his exercises regularly and his epilepsy is stable and controlled. The school is closed now and Dani will spend all the day in the orphanage for the next three months.  He might need something to stimulate him
during these days so I will try my best to make him active.”
June 8th,
“Dani is doing fine and there are no withdrawal symptoms that challenge him. He is doing his  best to achieve his functional activities, and participation  as always.
This time the school year is going end and Dani will spend the next three months in the orphanage with the children. It might be longer for him since he has adapted to go to school.”
May 10th,
“On Tuesday I have spent with Dani in the christmas hospital for his medical appointment. Dr Zenebe has asked and assessed how Dani was doing in the past  four months, then I have explained him that he was showing withdrwal symptoms for short durations, for two minutes in the begginning of January, after the reduction of the morning carbamazepine. Otherwise he is stable and active. Then, he has decided to continue with the same dose of carbamazepine (100 mg carbamazepine night and 100 mg phenytoin morning and night)  for the next six months, and to see him again in September.”

 

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Up Hill

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Hola Kristiina,
I am so glad to report with a few lines from Tesfaye, how great Dani is doing. I am receiving as well other nice reports from Addis, that cheer me up. I hope these news make you as glad as I am.
November 15th,
Dani is doing fine. He is grown up and improving every day with his
functional activity and gross motor skills. His gait speed and his leg stride is improving.
He has been going to the special needs  school, with great interest as usual.
November 30th,
About Dani, he is doing very fine and his level of ambulation is
dramatically improving. He is now able to walk over 30 minute on different surfaces (slopes, down hill and on smooth surface).
And he is also attending his school with great motivation and interest.
December 10th,
Dani is doing fine and he has been following his regular physiotherapy

program with great motivation and interest as usual and he has been showing

improvement  in his gross and functional skills.

He will  follow up program with doctor Tim in Cure Hospital for the second
time after six months in December 21st to recheck his level of improvement after
he had had minor surgery one year ago.
Illona invited, Timo (physiotherapist), Sari(physiotherapist), and Tomi.

They were from Finland and spent some time with Dani.

Optimism

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Hola Kristiina,

I just read an e-mail coming from Tesfaye. As usual, he tells me realistic Dani´s progress. But in his realism, he conveys a special optimism. You cannot imagine, Kristiina, how well this optimism feels, and believe it, it is not me the luckiest person to profit from his optimism,  but Dani.

Please, find a few excerpts from his latest messages about Dani:

April 1st,

“Dani’s is doing fine;the epilepsy condition is even much better

after my last email, he didn’t show any withdrawal symptoms since

then.he is adapting him self with the change in reduction of his medication
the ‘Carpamazapine’. the gradual reduction of his medication will help in the
future to control the epilepsy with minimum medication or non.
About his exercise program he is becoming use to it and he is happy to
exercise with great motivation and always ask to do his exercises regularly.”
March 14th,
“About his epilepsy after the reduction of the carpamazapine in the past
three months, he was showing one to two minute withdrawal for two days otherwise
 he is fine and that  doesn’t affect his daily activity. This sign is common after the reduction of epilepsy medication especially the  carpamazapine since it has addictive property; so that we have decided to follow him with the some medication with out increment of the medication and although his forth month appointment with doctor Zenebe is in end of April .
Dani’s overall epilepsy condition has showing very great improvement; he has spent
his days with different activities; going to school, doing exercise, playing with children
and studying without the epilepsy attack this is great result compared to his past
experiences.
About Dani’s function skills ,activities and level of cognition is also progressing from time to time with his great participation and motivation.”
March 4th,
“Dani is doing fine and working hard to improve from time to time. Even though this days the weather of Addis is raining like rainy season, Dani is working hard even in uncomfortable weather conditions. I have passed your kisses and big hugs to Dani; he is responding with great smile and happiness. The usual question he ask me is  “Roberto endet new” which means how is Robert.”
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Sunny Glimpse to New School Year

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Hola Kristiina,
Sun is shining again in Addis, and around the orphanage. Dani is glad about the  new school year commencement. Please find Tesfaye´s excerpt:
“The weather in Addis at the begging of the new year (Ethiopian New Year)
looks bright and sunny but now it seems like the rainy season will start over.
Soon I will get full information about Dani’s school schedule and comment and ideas from Dr. Zenebe after two months of Christmas hospital appointment.

Dani’s new year school registration will start on Tuesday October the second. He is very eager to go to the special school after three months of break. It will be a good place for him to improve his cognitive ability.

Dr. Zeneb’s will check at new year´s appointment, Dani´s state after the carbamazapine reduction. I have explained him that his epileptic condition is stable throughout the two

months after the reduction of the medication. And he has suggested to continue with same dose and to check results again after three months.”

Stats & Dats

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Hola Kristiina,

Another rainy season is hitting Addis, and for the reports, this one seems heavy. However, “dat” doesn´t mean Dani slows down his practice. He is involved and joyus, as usual. He plays and enjoys the company of the other children at Sele Enat. Please find excerpts from Tesfaye´s reports:
July 7th
I have collected Dani’s result from his special need school
of the half semester. He has attended after he had the operation.
His result shows it is very encouraging and progressing for his full
independence in the future. His teachers have documented his result like
this on his cad after 5 months continuous assessment (self care-60%,toilet training-75%,food training-95,sensory integration-90, physical exercise-95%,matching and tracing-98%,communication skills-95).

Regarding Physiotherapy treatment has been on training which will help
him in his independent walking like open exercises with different environment
challenges and stimulation.

Dani will have also appointment of his continuous follow up to Dr. Zenebe in the next week after four months; to see if possible to decrease the medication he is taking.

His plan is to order EEG (electroencephalogram) and if there are positive changes on
the reading to reduce and to follow.
July 22nd
Here everything is going well, except this rainy season that looks heavy.
Today although I have taken Dani to Christmas hospital for his continuous
follow up, I didn’t get Dr. Zenebe because he is out of the country and I had to take another appointment for July 26.
Otherwise Dani is doing fine and he has kept practicing his exercises regularly.
Sele Enat organisation have passed great thanks for you and for those who have been involved for the support of Dani as well.

Dedication

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Hola Kristiina,

If I were to express in written how much I appreciate the work Tesfaye is doing, I would need several blogs. He is consistent and caring. He gives away smiles and shares comfort. In exchange, he receives trust and so much love.

Tesfaye has the utmost level of dedication I have encountered. Therefore, I am humbly paying him a little homage in this post.

Thank you, Tesfaye, for taking so much care about Dani and the other children at the Special Needs Ward.

 

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Back to School

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Hola Kristiina,
Here we go again for an update on Dani´s progress. Please find the latest details coming from Tesfaye:
February 21st:
“He is doing very fine and the wound at the left heel is fully recovered. This couple of days
on 17/02/20017 and 21/02/2017 we were in prosthetic orthopaedic center for the new
 left leg -KAFO, knee ankle foot orthopaedics- that prescribed doctor Tim for correction of knee and ankle, in order to keep normal posture and for stability during standing and walking.
Tomorrow February 22, he has appointment in Christmas hospital for his continuous follow up that he was appointed, after four months, with doctor Zenebe, for his epilepsy; though his epilepsy is controlled for a year and three months now.”
March 4th:
“On February 22, Zelalem and I have taken Dani to Dr.Zenebe for his continuous follow up.

After we have explained Dani is in good condition and his epileptic attack is almost controlled, the Doctor has decided to decrease the medication for five months.

On this week Dani has also continued to go back to the school again after four months rest due to the surgery. He is happy and excited.”

The Third

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The first year was the beginning of a beautiful project. Resilience channeled towards assistance.

The second year was fond memories. Assistance settled, provided continuity to the project, and hopefully Dani felt a glimpse of routine in his daily work.

The third year has being joy through inspiration. You keep strongly inspiring us.

Thank you Kristiina for the values left.

Thank you to those who directly and from the shadows keep believing in this project and in Dani.

Dani In Progress

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Hola Kristiina,

Tesfaye has regularly updated on Dani´s progress throughout the pre-surgery, surgery and recovery process. Please see daily excerpts:

Nov. 6th

“Today November six is his admission to the cure hospital. Now he is in the hospital with Alem (the Nani) and the Nurses informed me; the operation will take place by tomorrow. I will late you know everything by tomorrow. I believe every good things will happen for Dani.”

Nov. 8th

“Dani is in operation room now. I will update you after they finish.”
Nov. 8th
“Dr Tim, American Orthopedics surgeon done  Dani’s operation and it  went very well, it takes Dani two hour and half to wake up from anesthesia, by the time he wakes up he is

concision ,alert and oriented. Know he is stable and doing very well.”

Nov. 10th
“I have passed your kiss and your masege to Dani; He is getting better know.
This days the staff at cure hospital and the Nanis from Sile Enat were very caring and supportive for Dani. He is out (discharged) from hospital today; and he has appointment for follow up on November 30,because of the surgery and the cast Dani is in bed in Sile Enat and he is not allowed to sit or stand with his leg for three weeks.

I would like to thank on behalf of you for those who have been giving great support and care for Dani.”

Nov. 20th
“Dani is doing better although he didn’t like it to be on bed all day and night. He has almost made it, he has left with 10 more days for his appointment. Since he was on bed he was having constipation; now he is doing fine with ORS and home made foods. He has many stimulation and encouragement  as much as possible from the care givers and volunteers. I have also able to see him twice a day although i couldn’t do a lot of things on him beside bed side physiotherapy to avoid bed complication.”
Dec. 1st
Yesterday November 30 we take Dani for his appointment in cure hospital,and the long leg cast(cast above the knee) is changed to the short leg cast(cast below the knee) and has
measurement for ankle foot orthosis. Since in the past three weeks Dani was in cast,today when they remove and reapply the cast  it was very painful for Dani. Till he will get better this time is uncomfortable for him. In this second phase as he gets better from the pain he can sit on his wheelchair since the cast is below the knee and he will has better interaction out of his bed. And his next appointment will be for December 14. For this days I have planned to visit him daily and do physiotherapy until he will get better from the pain,that is mainly on the left knee because of three weeks in cast that causes sign of stiffness.

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Rainy Addis

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Hola Kristiina,
Rainy season is once again hitting Addis, and Dani is making the best out of it with Tesfaye`s valuable help. He is cheerful, as usual, and eager to keep practicing, despite of the inconveniences.
Here, please find a few recalls from Tesfaye:
August 8th,
Dani is doing good and i have passed your big hug and plenty of kisses;

he is very happy as always he does.

Dani is showing a very good improvement in his gait (walking) activity
with the support of left KAFO (knee ankle foot orthosis) and with right
side axillary crutch. he is know walking slowly about 30 meters;it is like

walking distance from his bed room to physiotherapy room.

Hope fully this will improve his endurance,strength, cardiovascular
and his over all functional activity even better.
July 30th,

I have passed your plenty of kisses for Dani;he has responded with happy smile as always.

I have taken him for his appointment to Dr.Zenebe on July 14, after we explained Dani has
good general conditions, no epileptic attack for almost nine to ten months and he is  on school brake
as well ,then The Dr.the decided to decrease the dose of carpamazapine to 50mg morning
and night;that was 50mg morning and 100mg night and to continue with the same dose of phentoin.
Dani is doing good with the new dose still he doesn’t show any withdrawal symptoms;he is doing very good.
And Dr.Zenebe give us next appointment for October 14 after three months to see any symptoms.
July 4th,
Although this days the weather of Addis is  Rain,chilly and cloudy;

Dani is able to manage it very well.He is doing good with his general appearance and regular physiotherapy.

We have received Dani’s school certificate from mekinisa school,
That his card shows in two pages written in Amharic , subjects he has been taking(Food training,physical exercise,communication,matching and training,self care,toilet training,and painting) and improvement he has scored.
Dan’s Teachers state on his card that he has  good improvement on
concentration,understanding, remembering, and fallowing orders, after comparing his activity through out the year.This is one big step for Dani,exposing him to different environment and situations helps a lot to improve his memory and motor learning.
This will  be a good indication to see even better challenges and more exposure to different new environments in the future.
Dani”s Continues follow up with Dr.Zenebe in chrismass hospital after two months will be in July,14;We will take him and discuss again about his medications.