On October 24th TEAMworks China Therapists Amy Smith, M.C.D. CCC-SLP and Lori Hannon, PT, M.S.PT traveled with Dr. Bo Lin, M.D. to Changsha, China. Here are the reflections they shared while on their journey.
Hello from China! 
We are thankful for a smooth trip and warm welcome from our friends here. We arrived with our four suitcases and got to ride to the clinic the first morning with the trunk open and backseat full because we had some difficulty getting all of our supplies to fit!
We’ve had a busy two days. On Wednesday we evaluated new children at Dr. Lin’s clinic and got to see some familiar faces! We are always excited to see the same children and families and continue to build these relationships.
Amy did a quick presentation on Thursday morning for the staff that provided some new information for assessments and treatment approaches for young children with Autism. After this, we enjoyed spending the rest of the morning seeing the kids from the day before.
On Thursday afternoon 
we traveled across this little city of 11 million people and visited a housing complex designated for children with special needs. Families who have a child with a disability are provided government assisted housing and live together in a community of apartments. We were initially told we would see three children but word quickly spread and we had a crowd and were packed like sardines into a small common space on the 2nd floor of the complex. It felt like true TEAMWorks style. Lori was in high demand this afternoon with every child coming through the door having a physical need. Dr. Lin was busy reading X-Rays in the afternoon window light, translating, and assessing children. Amy was named a SPOT by Lori (Speech-Physical-Occupational Therapist) helping children with basic communication, oral motor techniques, reaching, sitting, and facilitating some standing and tummy time! Lori was able to do her magic on some orthotics using a borrowed hair dryer and a decorative flower spoon for one little boy. We made friends with many of the children quickly but some were very uneasy and needed more time. One dad (who also had a significant physical disability) expressed concerns about his little boy’s oral motor skills. The little boy would have absolutely no part in Amy getting any where near his mouth, so dad became the patient, and Amy demonstrated oral motor exercises on the dad. We saw several older children with significant needs, and enjoyed just spending some time loving on them and encouraging their parents. Our hearts were broken because of the amount of need, yet full because we had the privilege of serving. We were able to give all of the children a toy as we left and a paparzzi style photo shoot ensued! This gave us a nice laugh on the way out for the afternoon.
“We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
PS Amy didn’t eat all 3 bowls of breakfast soup alone.
We started Day 3 in China with our breakfast soup and seeing kids at Dr. Lin’s clinic. We knew we had a busy day ahead of us but jet lag started to set in by mid-morning. But, this was nothing that a run to the nearest Kentucky Fried Chicken for coffee couldn’t cure. Yes, that is KFC for coffee! It is as popular as Starbucks in China and did the trick to revive Amy. Lori and Amy both spent the morning assisting with evaluations and treatment. Lori also got the chance to educate on Torticollis assessment and treatment.
We were really excited during the morning when Dr. Lin suggested that they could contact a couple of the families that we saw yesterday at the apartment complex to come to into his clinic for a follow up visit and additional services. We thought this was such a kind gesture to provide additional services, but knew the logistics of getting these families to see us were going to be difficult. First, we had no idea how to contact these families or even what the names of the two sweet kids were. In addition to these hurdles, the apartment complex was over an hour away and we knew having the resources to make that trip would be difficult. But, within 2 hours the staff from Dr Lin’s clinic had managed to reach both families and the invitation to come see us was extended and accepted. Dr Lin’s clinic arranged and took care of the transportation for them, and they arrived to the clinic by 3:00pm. This was a huge answered prayer!
So, Lori got to spend the afternoon going over the treatment activities in more detail and demonstrating therapy while the translator took detailed notes to send home with the families as a reference. The little boy scissored when he walked and Lori was able to provide straps and show mother how to facilitate much improved walking! This was the highlight of the afternoon. Amy got to spend a few minutes with each family as the day was wrapping up observing a quick snack time and making suggestions for improved oral motor and communication development. Both of the mothers were very appreciative and one of them was very hands on and quick to try the suggestions that Lori made.
We appreciate the prayers as we wrap up our time here and start our journey home. Our prayers are that each person we have been in contact with this week would be pointed to Him.
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace…” 1 Peter 4:10
