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2001
Update, 2003-2004
2003 UPDATE
A trip to Viet Nam planned for early 2003, was cancelled when the World Health Organization advised against travel to several Southeast Asian countries due to the outbreak of SARS. Later in the year a second trip was cancelled when a family member was injured, necessitating my presence on the home front. The Clinic scheduled in Da Nang, August 11, proceeded in my absence under the direction of Dr. Huynh Ba Tan, Chief of Otolaryngology at Da Nang General Hospital. Laryngectomees were evaluated for their potential to use an electrolarynx device. Twelve electrolarynx devices were later shipped to Da Nang and distributed. It was exciting to see the follow-through with this clinic in my absence.
2004 UPDATE
With the SARS concern diminished and family members healthy, a trip was made to Viet Nam April 21 - May 6, 2004. In addition to working with physicians, nurses, Laryngect- omees and their families in Ha Noi and Da Nang, this year the Project was expanded to Hue Central Hospital. A second expansion this year included the delivery of donated hearing aides to the Da Nang ENT Clinic for refurbishing and distribution to the hearing impaired. Unexpected opportunities presented themselves wherein we were blessed to be of service to several children with communication disorders in the Dong Ha area and to confirm the success of the Project’s “no charge” policy for distribution of donated mater- ials. A most unexpected development was national exposure of the Project via television to the Vietnamese people.
HA NOI:
At the National E.N.T. Hospital in Ha Noi we were welcomed by Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Dinh, Director; Dr. Pham Thi Ku and Dr. Pham Tuan Canh. We were honored to serve more then 125 attendees (physicians, nurses, and laryngectomees) at our educational seminar discussing communicative rehabilitation of the Laryngectomee. Some 75 Laryngectomees were evaluated for use an electrolarynx device or a Blom-Singer voice prosthesis.
DA NANG
At the Da Nang General Hospital, 25 Laryngectomees, their families, physicians, and nurses attended our educational seminar on communication rehabilitation of the Laryn- gectomee. There were 15 Laryngectomees evaluated. Dr. Huynh Ba Tan, Chief of Otolaryngology at Da Nang General Hospital had a surprise in store on the day of the seminar. He had advised a local television news station of the seminar. They were eager to tape part of it and conduct interviews with the participants for a piece on the local news. When we arrived back in the USA we learned that this taping had been picked up and aired by the national television system in Viet Nam with broadcast throughout Viet Nam..
As part of the clinic, Dr. Tan invited two patients to be evaluated who were not Laryngectomees but who had permanent tracheostomies. One of the patients had suffered a crushed larynx as a result of an accident and the other had medical complications necessitating a tracheostomy. Both had been evaluated by physicians in Viet Nam. It was felt that there was no surgery available in Viet Nam which would allow voice or the possibility for removal of the trach. We forwarded medical information related to these patients to Dr. Byron James Bailey (University of Texas Medical Branch –Galveston, Texas) who annually visits Viet Nam with a team of surgeons to teach and perform sur- gical procedures for head and neck patients. Dr. Bailey, true to his distinguished com- mitment to humanitarian service, included in his March 2005 Viet Nam schedule a trip to Da Nang General Hospital ENT Clinic. These patients were evaluated and the outcome was that procedures could be done by his team in 2006 which would have the potential to restore voice and/or eliminate the need for a permanent trach.
Dr. Than Van Chin, again extended an invitation to present a seminar at the Da Nang Rehabilitation – Sanatorium Hospital. This years subject was phasia – Speech and Language Communication Disorders and Treatment. The program consisted of a 6 hour presentation and hands on evaluation of 6 patients. Treatment techniques were practiced with patients and therapists. Those attending included physicians, therapists, nurses and family members. The enthusiasm of the therapist in their desire to learn about the treatment of dysphagia (swallowing disorders) generated an impromptu class held at my hotel in the evening. How exciting it is to be a part of this quest for knowledge and to experience their sincere appreciation.
Hue
A visit to Hue Central Hospital was our first. Drs. Pham Nhu The, Phan Van Dung and Vo Lam Phuoc greeted us. The physicians and Laryngectomees at Hue Central Hospital had never before seen an electrolarynx device. We evaluated 3 patients and were able to leave a donated device with each. Two of these Laryngectomees hadn’t spoken for more then 7 years.
At the combined hospitals, distribution of equipment included 45 electrolarynx devices, 20 Blom-Singer Voice Prostheses, educational videos and CDs, as well as pamphlets and books related to communication rehabilitation for the Laryngectomee. Materials and equipment were donated by; Laryngectomee Clubs, individual Laryngectomees and companies in the United States.
Dong Ha
A side trip to Dong Ha, where I take opportunity to trek into the mountains of my youth as a combat Marine (1968 – 1969), allowed me to visit East Meets West Foundations’ Project Manager, John Ward. This visit provided an unplanned but inspired opportunity to be introduced to 5 children with communication disorders. I was able to discuss with each of these childrens’ parents their childs’ communication problem, provide recommendations as to serves the child might benefit from and suggest sources for those services: Hue Central Hospital and Operation Smile.
“OH, NO MONEY, IT’S A GIFT FROM AMERICA”
One of the more exciting experiences of this years’ trip occurred when I traveled to Quang Binh Province to visit a Laryngectomee who was a recipient of an electrolarynx device in Ha Noi in 2001. As we visited he told me of another Laryngectomee he had recently met in Quang Binh Province. He invited me to meet this gentleman. We drove to his home were I was introduced simply as a person interested in Laryngectomees. This gentleman told me that he had received his electrolarynx device from Dr. Ku in Ha Noi. Dr. Ku is the Chief of the National ENT Institute we work with in Ha Noi. I suspected the device was one that had come from our Project. To test our “no charge” policy I asked him how much he had paid for the device. To my delight he looked at me with a joyous smile and said; “Oh, no money, it’s a gift from America”. My friend then explained to this man and his wife that I represented the humanitarian project that had brought the electrolarynx devices to Dr. Ku. They expressed sincere gratitude for the device and asked that their appreciation be expressed to those who had donated them. His wife shared with us the significant changes the use of the electrolarynx had brought to her husband and their family life. We enjoyed a wonderful crab and shrimp lunch together, both men actively engaged in the conversation using their electrolarynx devices.
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 the following donors:
- Robert Young Vineyards – Geyserville, CA
- Dr. Michael Tran, M.D. – Santa Rosa, CA
- 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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