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2001
Update, 2002
Almost immediately upon returning from the 2001 trip to Viet Nam planning and gathering of materials for a 2002 trip began. Even so, the few weeks just prior to departing on March 22, 2002, there was a flurry of activity to check and sort the last minute donations of electrolarynx devices and educational materials. Equipment needed to be checked for proper operation and then packed.
The third trip of the Project realized unexpected opportunities to teach about rehabilitation of communication and swallowing disorders. I'll share some of these experiences later.
The Project received donated medical equipment and educational materials from private individuals, medical equipment suppliers and manufactures, laryngectomee support groups, governmental agencies, and professionals in the health care industry. These items included: 75 electrolarynx devices (Servox and Nu Vois), 400 batteries (Servox and Nu Vois), 75 Passy-Muir speech aides, Passy-Muir Seminar Kits, Logermann Dysphagia books, Logermann video and slide presentations on dysphagia, 10 Provox Headlites, 15 Provox Stoma Vent 2, Provox educational videos for post-laryngectomee rehabilitation, Blom-Singer Voice Prosthesis, 3 Nonin Pulse Oximeters. and a variety of stoma covers for laryngectomees. The dollar value of equipment and educational materials exceeded $43,000.00
The hospitals and institutions visited included: National Institute of Otolaryngology in Ha Noi, Bach Mai Rehabilitation Center in Ha Noi, Cancer Center in Ha Noi, Da Nang Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic at the Da Nang General Hospital, Rehabilitation Department of Da Nang General Hospital, and the Da Nang Rehabilitation Sanitarium in Da Nang. The interaction at these facilities varied from meeting with individual hospital administrators and patients to teaching physicians, therapists, and patients in groups of 5 to 30. Following instructional seminars in dysphagia and voice rehabilitation, patients were evaluated and appropriate treatment programs were discussed. Patients were fitted with and practiced use of voice prosthesis and electrolaryngeal devices.
At the present time in Viet Nam there are no formal training institutions for education in Speech-Language Pathology. I am aware of several individuals who as physical therapists have had some limited training in speech therapy principles. They apply their knowledge as best they can in treatment of patients. They are eager to acquire educational and training materials to further their knowledge and skills in the treatment of patients with speech, voice, and language disorders. One of the challenges experienced in working with these therapists was the difficult they had in comprehending both verbal and written English materials. For this reason a goal for 2002 was to identify one therapist in Ha Noi and one in Da Nang to provide scholarships that would allow them to attend advanced English training classes. This was accomplished and we have received positive reports of their progress.
I would like to share an experience that represents how this Project has been of benefit to the Vietnamese people. Dong Ha is a small town in the Central Highlands of Viet Nam, some 40 miles north of Hue. It is a quaint area away from the hustle and bustle of Ha Noi, Da Nang and Hue. I enjoy visiting there briefly during my travels in Viet Nam. It isn't an area the Project specifically as one it would serve. The medical care there is quite limited. As I visited the field office of East Meets West Foundation in Dong Ha and discussed with them the purpose of the Viet Nam - Laryngectomee Humanitarian Project, Ms. Trang, the assistant to the Project Coordinator, related to me a story of an 11 year old boy. At the age of 2 years this boy had a tragic accident that resulted in his having tube put in his throat (tracheotomy) in order for him to breath. When the tube was eventually removed his voice was affected and he was unable to "speak clearly". Ms. Trang implored me to examine the boy. Though I had not come to Dong Ha as a part of the Project, she was insistent on my seeing this boy. When I met him and his parents, they explained that because of his "little voice" he was socially isolated from his peers and that the voice problem limited his educational opportunities. A medical history was developed and I examined him. A small hole, fistula, in his neck where the tracheotomy had been performed was apparent as well as scar tissue. It appeared that the scar tissue was affecting the laryngeal movement and likely contributed to the vocal dysfunction. He had not been seen by a physician for seven years. His parents were unaware of the resources available in Da Nang that might be of assistance to this young boy. As well, the family didn't have the financial means to pay for treatment. We contacted an otolaryngologist whom I had worked with in Da Nang. and he agreed to see this boy. If the outcome of an examination is favorable, we will assist the family in securing further treatment.
The Project goals for 2003 include:
- Acquire through donations: electrolarynx devices, voice prosthesis for laryngect- omees, educational materials for hospitals, therapists, patient and family members related to voice and swallowing disorders;
- Sponsor two Vietnamese therapists, one in Ha Noi and the other in Da Nang, to pursue English language classes;
- Obtain 250 middle ear ventilation tubes for children with otitismedia;
- Extend the Projects programs to Hue General Hospital;
- Return trip to Viet Nam in the spring of 2003.
Donor Appreciation:
There are numerous donors that continue to generously support this Project. They are individuals, groups that work with patients and families of those with communication disorders, companies, and American hospitals. I am mindful and respectful of those donors who have humbly requested anonymity. Their impact has been significant. With permission I acknowledge:
- Siemens Hearing Instruments
- Atos Medical Inc.
- InHealth Technology
- Nonin Medical
- Passy-Muir Inc.
- Mountain Precision Manufacture
- Pacific Bell California (Disabilities Program)
- Lauder Enterprises - The Voice Store
- American Cancer Society (Santa Rosa, CA)
- Several Laryngectomee clubs/groups in California
A special appreciation to Deseret International Foundation which provides a model of humanitarian service, encouragement, support and allows this Project an affiliation through which our donors can qualify for a 501 (c) (3) tax donation.
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