Jinja Uganda

Assessing a local child who has hydrocephalus. Not common in the United States, hydrocephalus is very common in African countries. The cause is usually due to premature birth, which often happens because of poor maternal care. Hemorrhaging in the brain causes a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid. The most common treatment is to have a shunt placed through the skull to allow the excess fluid to drain off. Often this is too expensive or not available for these children. Without this operation, hydrocephalus can lead to severe brain damage or death.

I wore many hats as an OT in Uganda. One was to help families find resources for an operation. I also helped these children in their homes, as they often suffered from learning and developmental delays. Being in the home meant being able to assess the environment and discuss with the parents ways to help their children engage with their world through positioning, exercise, and improved access.