Haiti Rehabilitation Centre

While our Rehabilitation Centre was built to respond to the many horrendous injuries people received during the 2010 earthquake, sometimes seemingly small accidents can result in life-changing injuries and a long recovery period. Our staff are experienced in supporting spinal cord injury patients as they gradually rebuild their strength but they rely on support from donors like you to provide these services.

Germain has been with us in the Rehabilitation Centre since April. She is 67 years old and, when at home, lives with her cousin. She makes a living selling clothing items at the market but last year she slipped and fell at home, causing her to damage her spine.

After her accident, she went to the government hospital in Cap-Haitien for some time until she was discharged home. But as Germain’s legs were no longer strong enough for her to walk, she spent an entire year confined to her bed at home, as she did not have a wheelchair.

Eventually one of her cousins told her about our Rehab Centre, and she came for an evaluation where she was admitted as an inpatient. She received her first wheelchair upon arrival, allowing her to have much better mobility and become more independent.

Currently, she is able to perform her own bed mobility, but still requires full assistance for transfers. In therapy, she has learned pressure relief techniques to prevent pressure sores, is learning to self-propel her wheelchair, and is working on strengthening her legs and core to improve her mobility.

There is no doubt Germain has a long way to go on her road to recovery, but thanks to your support of our centre, she will receive the long-term support she needs.