SAIGON

Stacy and I bid a fond farewell to Can Tho on Tuesday and headed to Saigon for three days of work at the Pediatric Hospital #1.  Ho Chi Minh City is still called Saigon by many people, although I have noticed that younger people are starting to use 'Ho Chi Minh City'.  I think 'Saigon' still retains some romantic, French colonial quality, but that historic referent does not necessarily carry those same "romantic" sensability to many Vietnamese people, to be sure. 

HCMC continues to BOOM-- still a lot of construction, bling, and glitz.  So busy, noisy, and bursting at the seams. I am seeing many more private cars (big SUVs) in addition to the required scooters and xiclos. In the past, Stacy and I have stayed in some less-than-lovely, but very functional, backpacker hotels in District 1-- the tourist district-- while working here.  We decided to branch out a bit this year, spend a few more bucks, and try a different neighborhood.  We ended up at Ma Maison Hotel in District 3, a little closer to the Pediatric Hospital, and in an area without a big tourist presence (or interest!).  This small hotel has proven itself to be a fabulous find! Come to HCMC and stay here!

Some photos and video from our first couple of days here in HCMC:

Our stylish ride to HCMC

The park across the street from our hotel in HCMC
features great workout equipment!

park treadmill

roller blading

Stacy and I were caught in the latest development
in HCMC getting around: scooters no longer feel confined to driving
on the road-- they can also drive on the sidewalk.

In front of our lovely hotel

the aforementioned hotel

Mr. Trang providing Stacy with good advice: "The big street at the end of our
quiet and pictureseque alley? Don't try to stroll up and down-- so many scooters..."

Video clip: HCMC breakdancing.  The music could only be described as Tom Jones-esque.

all different types of rice

the scooter crush

We crossed paths with this small English class
in our alley. When we looked for it again the next night (and the one after that),
we couldn't find it again!

 

The terrific donations to the HCMC Pediatric Hospital,
made possible by _your_ generous donations!

This chart defines all the hierarchies of the pediatric therapy department
and each sub-groups roles and responsibilities. Impressive!

Part of the welcome sign in the front of the department

Discussing one case, a child with autism

Department chair Giao.  It is so great to see him again--
we've established a solid relationship in these last 6 years!

This department works very hard to learn and adapt therapy
techniques in every way.  If they do not have a piece of equipment,
they figure out a way to make it-- witness this "sensory bin".

They've used one pattern for a weighted vest to
create many more... 

I'm not screaming at this boy.  I am demonstrating how
to use some sensory motor activities to
get something going with a child with autism.  I think I am probably
saying "Mo- Hai- Ba!" (1-2-3!)

The "squeeze machine", designed by a local carpenter from
a drawing that former department chair, Yen, brought to him. 

So humid, so sweaty, lots of drooling.  I will be burning
many of these items of clothing.

This department makes great splints and braces.

Stacy demonstrates kinesiotaping on a little girl with hemiplegia.

Just trying to take a picture of a cat in our alley...
photobombed...

The department used a picture of a spio suit to design
full-body lycra suits. Wow!

Lots more sensory motor work for children with autism.  Ball pit!

This little boy had spinal meningitis and now presents
with challenging neuromuscular issues.

I thought we were having a casual conversation about a nuk brush
and oral motor therapy...

turned into an impromptu after-lunch lecture

OK, now I'm really lecturing. About PECS and autism,
non-verbal vs. verbal communication...

The department is being asked to lecture in the surrounding
provinces, so we made sure to bring them a projector.

Another superhero spio type suit, this time
for a girl with CP. 

The hospital also has a daycare for children with special needs.
I had been working with this little boy and his regular therapist in the morning, and
she asked me to help problem-solve some feeding issues.  Kids in Vietnam are not typically expected to
feed themselves at this age (4 yrs), but it turned out that adding his favorite crunchy snack
to a spoonful of stew was enough to encourage him to eat some food, and do it on his own.  

Lycra sleep sacks used during naptime. Everyone sleeps on the floor.

Stacy with former department chair Yen-- she is
a force to be reckoned with.  She's nominally "retired", but is now
training to do auditory-verbal training for kids that are
starting to receive cochlear implants in HCMC.

Rainy night dinner with some hospital staff.
Always gifts for us, always we cry...
Everyone is so generous to us.

Quyen (far left) just returned from 2 months in Australia doing
speech-language pathology training, focusing on autism. 

Please note how tall I am in this crowd. Excepting the head-taller Nebraskan to my left....




More HCMC pictures to follow!