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2001
Update, September 2001
The first year of the Project has seen numerous exciting developments as it has gone through its infancy. By means of this UPDATE I would like to share information and experiences with the individuals, groups and companies who have contributed to and continue to support this Project. I hope that in reading this you will experience a particle of the joy and fulfillment I have experienced, that you will know of the benefit this Project has been to so many.
It was July 2000 that the Viet Nam Laryngectomee Humanitarian Project began. It did so with the simple awareness that there were "used" electrolaryngeal devices being discarded or sitting in closets collecting dust which could be used by Laryngectomees in Viet Nam. The sole initial purpose was to collect a few electrolaryngeal devices from colleagues and previous patients for donation to Laryngectomees in Viet Nam.
In a few short months the following objectives have been accomplished:
- An article was published in ADVANCE for Speech-Language Pathologist which brought exposure to the Project and resulted in donations from individuals, groups, and companies from California, Texas, Ohio, Germany and Japan.
- A Website was developed: http://www.vietnamlarynx.org/.
- The Project was submitted to and reviewed by Deseret International Health Care Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit health care foundation. They have accepted the Project as an affiliate.
- The Project's purpose and goals were networked through distributors of Laryngectomee medical supplies: Lauder Enterprises, Luminaud, Siemens, InHeath Technology and Atos Medical.
- A pamphlet describing the Project was designed and distributed to Laryngectomy Clubs in California, Texas, and Utah.
By March 2001 substantial donations of equipment and material made the scheduling of a trip to Viet Nam feasible. Equipment and material donated included; 32 electrolaryngeal devices, batteries, books, stoma covers, educational pamphlets and videos, medical graphic posters, and 250 voice prosthesies (Blom-Singer and Provox) from InHealth Technology and Atos Medical.
Arrangements were made with the National Institute of Otolaryngology in Hanoi and Da Nang General Hospital - Otolaryngology Department for distribution of the equipment and materials. At both institutions there were opportunities for educational lectures and clinical practice with Laryngectomees, physicians, nurses, and family members. One of the more rewarding events took place when we were able to facilitate the cooperative interaction between the ENT Departments and the Rehabilitation Department by bringing together the Physicians at the ENT Institute and the "Therapist" from the Rehabilitation Department. Though these two departments at both hospitals are within 100 yards of each other, they had never before collaborated in treating Laryngectomee patients. Through this Project arrangements were made for the "Therapist" from the Rehabilitation Departments and the physicians and nurses at the Institute and ENT Departments to work side by side in evaluating and treating Laryngectomees related to communication rehabilitation.
At the Institute of Otolaryngology in Hanoi 50 Laryngectomees were evaluated for use of an electrolarynx device and/or their candidacy for a tracheoesophageal puncture that would allow use of a tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis. At the time of my first visit to this Institute, April 2000, the tracheoesphageal puncture had never been performed. They began the procedure in November 2000 and by the time I arrived in March of this year, there had been eight performed. The obstacle was that replacement prosthesies weren't available and additional anticipated procedures were limited by supply. The physicians were literally astounded when they saw the number of prosthesies that Atos Medical and InHealth Technologies had donated.
The Viet Nam - Laryngectomee Humanitarian Project goals for the coming year include: collecting electronic and prosthetic devices for distribution in Viet Nam; obtaining educational materials for Laryngectomees their families and physicians, and the development of an instructional program for Vietnamese health care workers which emphasizes the communicative rehabilitation potential, options and therapy techniques for laryngectomies. A return trip to Viet Nam is scheduled for March 2002.
It has been a significantly rewarding experience to be a conduit for the generosity of individuals and businesses as they have recognized the value and need for this type of humanitarian project. This support has been in the form of material products, financial assistance, constructive commentary, and inspiring encouragement. To all of you I express my most sincere personal thanks.
