Testimonial: University of Colorado Physical Therapy Group

In January 2011, a group from the University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program, including 3 faculty and 5 Doctor of Physical Therapy students, visited Granada, Nicaragua. The primary purpose for the visit was to teach a course in pediatric physical therapy as part of an educational collaboration with the Physical Therapy program at the University of Managua. Carrie provided the translation services for all 4 days of the course, and she was exceptional! She prepared by reviewing the handout materials we sent prior to our visit, and she was incredibly flexible in translating back and forth between English and Spanish as needed during our teaching and hands-on lab activities.

In addition to the teaching, Carrie made arrangements for us to visit Children’s Wellness (NGO), a local public health clinic in Granada, and Clinica de Hijos in San Blas. We conducted developmental screenings of children in San Blas and provided consultation to parents of children with disabilities during the visit at Children’s Wellness. We observed public health activities in all settings and had opportunities to talk to, and learn from, various physicians, physical therapists, and healthcare providers. We traveled on local buses and microbuses into rural areas, and we were able to experience the distances and time required to travel and access care.

We learned a lot about the health care system in Nicaragua and gained an appreciation of the levels of care, access to care, and the delivery of care in urban and rural communities. We also gained a greater appreciation for the impact of poverty and current economic environment on the care and services available to children with disabilities in Nicaragua. Carrie helped us to understand the challenges faced by families who live in urban and more rural communities with regards to their children’s health and education. Carrie was incredibly organized and responsive in all the stages of planning and executing the experiences she set up on our behalf. Her knowledge and connections really made our experience in Nicaragua much more worthwhile!

Mary Jane Rapport, PT, DPT, PhD
University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program