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Plan for 2012
There are those of you for who this is your first exposure to the Viet Nam -- Laryngectomee Humanitarian Project. Therefore, I will give a brief description of the origins and activity of the Project 2000 -- 2009.
I, Larry Don Hammer, M.C.D., am retired from a 25-year professional career as a Speech -Language Pathologist. I now live with my family in Cedar City, UT. As a 19- 20-year-old young man I served in the United States Marine Corps with two tours of duty in what was at that time, South Viet Nam. Though the majority of my time was spent in the mountains and jungles along the Demilitarized Zone, I was fortunate to have other opportunities for association with the Vietnamese civilian population. I developed a fondness and enduring appreciation for the people and their culture. In April of 1975 the government in North Viet Nam united North and South to become Viet Nam, one entity. As the final moments of The Viet Nam War developed, I sat in a study room on the campus of the University of Nebraska. I was preparing for examinations in my chosen field of Speech-Language Pathology. At that time events unfolding in Viet Nam affected me in a number of ways. One of those was that I committed myself to returning to Viet Nam with the intent of using my professional skills to serve the Vietnamese people. During my years of study, a special emphasis for me was in rehabilitation of speech and language disorders associated with head injuries. I knew there were a significant number of Vietnamese, both from the North and the South, who had suffered head injuries associated military activity. I also anticipated there would be the need for the skills of a Speech-Language Pathologist in the habilitating and rehabilitation of communication disorders in young children.
In 2000, I made my first return trip to Viet Nam. This trip was both as a tourist and to learn, through fact-finding, what services were available for rehabilitation of communication disorder. I learned there was no formal training of teachers or therapist in the identification and treatment of communication disorders. There was not only a tremendous need for, but also receptivity to training in these areas. I was able to make three additional humanitarian trips to Viet Nam during the year's 2001- 2004. Prior to each trip I would acquire, by donation, educational and training materials related to the rehabilitation of communication disorders with a special focus on treatment following a laryngectomy. Through the generosity of individuals, Laryngectomee Clubs and businesses which provide medical equipment and communication devices/prostheses for the Laryngectomee I was able to acquire, by donation, electrolarynx devices and prostheses (Blom-Singer and Provox) to be given to Laryngectomees in Viet Nam.
I was invited by several Vietnamese physicians to visit hospitals and clinics in Ha Noi, Da Nang, and Hue City. At these facilities I interacted with physicians, nurses, and therapists providing them with educational training and therapy treatment techniques related to communication disorders. I was able to distribute educational materials to Laryngectomees and their families related to the rehabilitation of communication following the surgery for a laryngectomy. Details on each of the year's goals and accomplishments can be read at www.vietnamlarynx.org.
In 2005, I experienced the onset of an autoimmune disorder affecting my vestibular system (balance system in both of my ears). The suspected origin of this disease has been my repeated exposure to the spraying of the chemical Agent Orange (dioxin) in Viet Nam during 1968 and 1969. I was medically retired from active employment because of this disease by the end of 2005. I spent the majority of 2006 -- 2011 engaged in medical treatment, physical rehabilitation, and making those personal adjustments necessary when one is suddenly affected with a disease that substantially alters their lives. For me, travel to Viet Nam, during that time, I regret wasn't feasible. However, I remained in active contact with physicians, therapists, and patients through use of the Internet. I have been able to assist with the evaluation and treatment of people with communication disorders via the on-line service SKYPE. SKYPE has been a wonderful tool in facilitating interaction with therapists and clients.
Now, 2011, I'm able to and am preparing for a trip to Viet Nam in January 2012. I'm in the process of acquiring educational materials related to the identification, evaluation, and treatment of communication disorders (books, pamphlets, and anatomical models). A special focus will continue to be in the area of communication rehabilitation for the Laryngectomee. I am seeking donations of electrolaryngeal and oral communication devices, and voice prostheses: Blom-Singer and Provox 2. Of significant help would be to acquire anatomical models of the oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal mechanisms used in the production of speech.
I will be received in the Otolaryngology Departments of major hospitals in Da Nang, Ha Noi, and Hue City. Vietnamese therapists who treat communication disorders will join with physicians, nurses, patients and their families to receive education related to rehabilitation of communication disorders. We will also present information and training related to delayed speech and language, voice, and dysphagia (swallowing) disorders.
Summary of 2012 goals:
- Provide educational materials related to rehabilitation of communication following a laryngectomy (surgical removal of the "voice box") and the distribution of donated electrolarynx and oral devices for communication;
- Distribute donated educational materials related to the identification and treatment of communication disorders: delayed speech and language, voice disorders, communication disorders associated with head injuries; and education and training related to dysphagia (swallowing disorder).
- Education and use of the Passy-Muir prosthesis used by ventilator and respiratory patients for treatment and rehabilitation of respiration, speech, and swallowing disorders.
- I will be in Viet Nam for 2-3 months, back to the United States for 4-6 weeks and then return to Viet Nam for another 2-3 months. The time periods in Viet Nam will allow me to not only instruct physicians, nurses, therapists and Laryngectomees in communication restoration but to track the application of the information and therapy as they are integrated into their lives and practices. I have designed a patient profile that will be used for the purpose of tracking the distributed items, e.g. the electrolarynx devices, voice prosthesis and the Passy-Muir Valve. This will allow us to evaluate the effective utilization of these items and how they have improved patients' lives and professional development.
Donation items needed:
- Electrolarynx and oral communication devices (Cooper Rand);
- Educational materials (books, pamphlets, demonstration models, and CDs to the communication rehabilitation for Laryngectomees;
- Educational materials related to the habilitation and rehabilitation of communications and swallowing disorders;
- Monetary donations (essential).
If you are able to provide any of the equipment, educational material, or financial contributions outlined, it would be greatly appreciated. I assure you it will be put to good use. The Viet Nam Laryngectomee Humanitarian Project itself, isn't an official Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). It doesn't have a 501 (c) 3 status for tax purposes, but it does work through two NGOs that do and in this manner donations can be tax deductible.
Please, feel free to contact me personally by either e-mail or telephone.
Sincerely,
Larry Hammer, M.C.D.
2116 North Cottontail Dr.
Cedar City, UT 84721
435.586.0342 (Primary)
435.691.1898 (Secondary -- Cell)
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