Thursday, February 7, 2013

Wheelchair Training with LDS Charities and Rotary

What could be so hard about finding someone who needs a wheelchair, setting them in it 
and letting them roll away? The whole idea of giving a wheelchair to someone is to help   
them and to “Do No Harm.”  Proper fitting of the patient is critical. Newly trained 
technicians now understand the importance of that resolve.
Because we are assigned to cover Humanitarian, we decided to attend a training so we 
could better understand all that goes in to being a technician.  If we are in the training, 
we better learn all we can!


 Technicians were taught to assess patient’s balance, interview to find patient’s needs,
 assess for sensitivity and pressure sores, and measure so the patient is properly fitted 
to the chair. Three measurements are needed.  These include seat width, seat depth,
 and foot rest height. Technicians were also taught about the parts and proper
                                      maintenance of a wheelchair and the proper use. 
We not only had to learn to fit a wheelchair but we had to learn how to use on as well. 
We were all very grateful that we don't have to use these all the time! 

Rotary invited 13 of their members to attend a workshop in Intramuros on
Oct. 9th and 10th. They were hosted by John Go Hoc, director of the
Joy Kiddie School, where the activity was held. LDS Charities provided
 the training which included a two day seminar and the 
opportunity to do some hands-on fitting of wheelchairs.
This is our batch of technicians!  We all passed with flying colors. Now to go to work 
and help those who need wheelchairs.

Elder Hadlock, John Go Hoc, a teacher from his school, and Elder DuPaix 
pose in front of the play equipment at the school.
 
Nieve brought her husband into the workshop.  Crispin suffered a stroke in September
 which affected his left side. He had such a sad countenance until he was able to be fitted 
and left the school with a chair.  He had a great desire to gain the use of both his 
left arm and leg and now he has a wheelchair which will enable him to get to the 
physical therapist fortreatment.  Crispin and Nieve left happy and grateful 
for this wonderful gift.
We met some very special people during those two days of training, both young and old!

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Wrapping and Delivering Christmas Tokens!

Our trip to the Congress and the Senate on Dec. 10, 2012 had much preparation! Jerry 
and his wife Marylyn, spent hours wrapping and spray painting over 100 boxes that 
were filled with a beautiful Nativity or Belen.


Because this was such a big project, we had to call in the forwarders to help us! I'm sure 
after they packed them through security, then all over the Congress, they must have
 had tired backs!
 Roan is one of our Public Affairs leaders here in Manila. She works at Congress
 and helped us distribute our tokens.
 Manny Paquiao (Pac Man) is one of our Congressman! We didn't get to meet him, 
just got out picture taken with his!!!
 We were honored to see the Legislative Room and sit in the special quest chairs.
 After leaving Congress, we drove across town to the Senate. There we met with 
Bro. Bellen who is on our Manila North Multi-Stake Public Affairs committee. 
He serves as the Deputy Secretary for the Legislature.
 Here we are posing on the Senate floor. We were sad that the RH Bill actually 
passed both the Legislature and the Senate that very night.

Friday, January 11, 2013

The Birds Fly!

We knew the time was growing short for Elder and Sis. Bird's stay in the 
Philippines as the parties and "One last time" things began!
We were delighted to be invited to Janis and Doug's home for a lovely dinner. 
What gracious hosts they are!

Of course we had that last shopping trip to Mega Mall. We at least learned where the Valet parking was and how to take advantage of it! We also found Kultura!



Sis. Bird had been dying to try those Brownies and finally got a special sample pack.
Elder and Sis. Bell hosted our "Pioneer Missionary" farewell party. 
Sis. Hardick, Sis. Bird, and Sis. Bell will all be gone by the end of Jan.
It was a great party but we almost broke the elevator with our LOAD!
L. side - E. Hadlock, E. Bird, E. DuPaix, S. Bird.
R. back - E & S. Hardick R. front - S. French, S. Hadlock, E. French
Finally, our office party farewell!
Haidi gave them a special plaque and certificate and we had our "batch" picture taken!
Elder Bird was so excited to turn the car keys over to Elder DuPaix, 
"without ever having an accident"! 
We drive their car only a few weeks and a bus ran into us!!!
On the way home from the office we made one last stop at Green Hills and of course, bought one last Rolex watch for the Elders and Sis. Bird!

We drove past Chili's where we had a fun dinner with Kim Farah from SLC and where we bought the most expensive chips and salsa we have ever eaten!

We did stop for one last chicken salad at California Pizza, though!
 Five am came early as we went to the "Bird's" apt. one last time to help them 
get their luggage down and loaded in the van to head to the airport!
The heaven's wept as we said our farewells!
At least one Sister was weeping as we said our last, 
"Harrah for Israel!"
Thanks Elder and Sister Bird for all you taught us!
We love you!!!

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Trip to Clark and Subic

 Sept. brought our first trip out of Manila. The Bird's needed one last adventure before they returned to Utah! The Philippines are actually green and beautiful and not just full of skyscrapers and cars! We could hardly believe this road - one car???
We headed to Subic Bay and Clark Air force Base. The scenery was beautiful with the rice patties, sudden peaked mountains and some strange water paths that looked cool!

 We decided to hit the wild life park. Zoobic was fun! We were on a pretty fast-paced tour which kept us moving and out of there in under two hours!








 We rode on a tram which moved us from one area to another. The lions and tigers were beautiful but they didn't smell very good! Our guide warned us not to get "sprayed" as the smell lingers for a couple of days! There were many varieties of birds - besides the ones we brought! There were many crocodiles but very few monkeys. At least we got a picture of a carabao - even though the ones in the zoo were gold. The ones we see working in the fields are always black. 
Our first adventure was to try to feed the animals. "Hey, Lady! Keep your fingers out of that camel's mouth!"

 All the children were feeding the baby goats so we gave it a try, too!  Those little piggies were almost climbing into my lap trying to get a drink. "Whoa! Can't you feed one of these babies, Sis. Bird?"
 That was fun but we had to move on. NOW, shades of Jurassic Park! They LOCKED us in this nice TIGER BUS and we drove into a fenced area to feed the tigers. (Of course, we had to buy the raw chicken to feed them!) He knows we have goodies and here he comes. We just didn't know that our guide would be throwing the chicken on the roof of the bus for the tiger to JUMP up and eat! That's when we were glad the WE were in a cage!!!

 Zoobic came to an end and we headed to Subic Bay. We were excited to see the ships
and the sea but the weather had different plans. We were grateful that it held off until we
left the Zoo, but suddenly the heavens opened and it began to pour. When the roads started
to flood we decide it was time to head for higher ground and we drove back to
 Clark Air force Base.  
We stayed at a very nice Holiday Inn. They didn't quite understand 
"Elder DuPaix" on the reservation though!!!
The pool was pretty but too cold to swim in.  Larry, the lifeguard,
(really, that was his name!) 
was so nice and as we visited with him, we found that he was a member.
He said the missionaries were coming to visit with his wife!
 Roger said I should also tell you about Harry, 
the hotel manager but that was not his real name, so I won't!
The best part of the hotel, beside the really nice bed and pillows,
was the all-you-can-eat buffet! It was International 
night and we found everything from steak to crab, soup to pastries!
Even found some GF goodies!
 Sat. morning on our way back to Manila, we stopped at Clark Veterans Cemetery.
It was along the way of the Bataan Death March. What a terrible part of history we have 
learn more about. This cemetery was damaged by shrapnel during the Japanese invasion.
 The Cemetery was further damaged when Mt. Pinatubo erupted in 1991. It has been
 cleaned and is a nice monument to those who gave their lives.  They have a guard there
 to protect the area.

Mt. Pinatubo is located just behind the clouds. It looks as though it's top was blown off. 
Wish we could have gotten a picture. It is amazing.