This week we’re shining a spotlight on STAND (Sustainable Therapy And New Development). STAND believes that freedom from pain and disability is a basic human right, not a privilege. They are taking their work to rural Haiti, where only the highest socioeconomic class can afford medical care, but most people do not have access at all. This lack of access to the most basic care leads to widespread suffering from disabling pain and injury. The lack of medical care leads to an environment where individuals loose the ability to work, farm, and care for themselves and their families. The social effects of this lack of care and support too often cause poverty, famine, and even death. By providing access to rehabilitative care, STAND aims to decrease disability and reverse its social effects on the community. As a result, Haitians will be able to work, provide for their families, contribute to their communities, and ultimately enjoy a higher quality of life.
While in Haiti, STAND works to restore people’s functional mobility by providing comprehensive evaluation and treatment for a variety of conditions and injuries. Many have experienced traumatic events with no assistance or counsel from trained medical providers. Others are children born with orthopedic or neurological conditions. Each and every one of these people deserves a safe environment in which they can access quality and professional care. STAND provides manual physical therapy, wound care, patient education, orthotics, and the fabrication of prosthetics to meet the diverse needs of its patient population. Volunteer teams consisting of physical therapists, orthotists, prosthetists, general medical staff, educators, and students work to deliver these services to the highest standard. STAND also provides outreach programs to local hospitals, schools, orphanages, and assisted living facilities.
The ultimate goal is for STASND clinics to be staffed year-round by STAND trained Haitian clinicians. For more information or to make a donation go to www.standhaitiproject.org
