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Where has 2019 gone?

It has been a year of unexpected events that have caused me to slow down reflect and allow new doors to open. My heart continues to be pulled to Haiti but due to political unrest and an economic crisis I have had to decrease my time on the island that I have called home for close to 9 years. Thankfully much of the work at the clinic has continued as our faithful staff has found ways to navigate the unrest and continue to serve the community with medical care, education, encouragement, adaptive equipment and an exercise outlet. Looking forward to returning to Haiti in the new year to work alongside this incredible staff. Please pray the humanitarian crisis in Haiti resolves and the Haitians can once again find food, gas, shelter, water and work to sustain their families . That they can feel safe in the streets. That children can once again go to school. This is my prayer and prayer for so many living day to day with so many unknowns!

Haiti Highlights:

I had the privilege of working with 12 of the local second year OT/PT students for a week. Together we created equipment for 15 kiddos in the clinic. We shared in our passion for the profession and seeds were planted as their creativity came to life and they were challenged to think outside the box.
As one of the only clinics providing stroke prevention in Haiti, we have been asked to join a committee to develop stroke prevention resources and treatment protocols to be used country wide.
I spent a month up in Cap Haitian with Children of the Promise (COTP) collaborating with rehab staff providing trainings, helping to establish individualized treatment plans, and building adaptive equipment!

Guatemala Adventures

I continue to love working with Therapy Clinics International (TCI) and ASELSI's staff in Guatemala. It is always moving to see the progress the children in the program have made in a year and the staff's desire to share about that progress and collaborate on how they can continue to build on their skills. It was a blessing to work with new staff PT Noe as he steps into a leadership role. We collaborated on pediatric patient plans of care and assessed for patient equipment needs. Noe has an interest in developing pediatric skills and is quite handy at building. Together with the UTMB faculty and OT/PT students we build LOTS of equipment.

Noe working with a young patient!

New Doors Opening in Mexico!

This year I was put in contact with a UTMB PT graduate working and living with her husband that is a speech therapist in Baja, Mexico. They both volunteer at a school for children with special needs that also has a small children's home. They are one of the only schools providing services to meet these children and adults unique needs. The organization Eternal Anchor also has a ranch that it was given where they provide therapy both on and off a horse and are very interested in starting an adaptive equipment program to meet the many needs in the surrounding area. It has been exciting to watch things slowly falling into place as they see the benefit's of building with local materials and training locals in these skills. On my most recent trip we also got to work with some PT students from Enseñada the biggest city with a program several hours away. They came to learn and help build equipment for the children in the school to use at home. I am excited at the opportunity to partner with Eternal Anchor to help provide these trainings in equipment building to help get this program going and spread the reach of these much needed services. Check out these smiles!

Sharing a Unique Perspective

This fall I also enjoyed opportunities to share about my global health work with UTMB allied health and medical students and teach about adaptive equipment and pediatric treatment. I hope to continue to be able to facilitate their students with unique global health experiences and support new graduates that are interested in getting into this type of work.

UTMB DPT class of 2020

With the growing unrest in Haiti I am not sure when I am going to be able to make it back to my home in Croix des Bouquet but proud of the work that continues to be done through that clinic. I am also excited about these new doors that God has been opening. The longer I do this work the more I can see the unique perspective I carry with me when I go into new places. It is my heart for all individuals to find their purpose, know they are loved and reach their full potential. I am not sure what 2020 will hold for me but excited about the possibilities. Thank you to all of you that continue to faithfully support this work no matter where it takes me. Your prayers, support and financial contributions are the reason this work can continue. If you feel lead to help continue this inspiring work you can do so by clicking https://cten.org/missionary/erincottos/ or mail checks to CTEN PO BOX 291307 Kerville, TX 78029-1307. Make sure you include a note it is for Erin Cottos in Haiti. Blessings, Erin