Recently, I tagged along with some GDPU representatives on a trip to Lacor Hospital to assist a man who sustained a paralyzing injury from a motorcycle accident.
Members of GDPU and Lacor Hospitol with patient, Odong Geoffrey
Members of GDPU and Lacor Hospitol with patient, Odong Geoffrey
GDPU runs a large campaign to help persons with spinal cord injuries. It connects persons with appropriate wheelchairs, wheel chair technicians, and other health services. They also modify huts and latrines for wheelchair access and provide some basic supplies to help prevent bed sores, the bane of persons in wheel chairs. Much of this work is supported by the Baron and Elerman John Foundation.
Motorcycle accidents are all too common in Gulu where there are almost no car taxis and virtually no one but the NGOs or the rare farmer, or “diggers” as the call them here have automobiles.
Lacor was founded by Italian doctors about 50 years ago and is funded privately. A patient is only required to pay about $10 to stay there for up to six months. They must pay extra for procedures and medication which is fortunately very discounted, but still expensive for the average Ugandan.
Lacor Hospitol, Gulu Uganda
Lacor Hospitol, Gulu Uganda
The nursing care doesn’t extend to assistance with the toilet, bathing or food. Therefore whole families arrive to tend to their sick relative needs. The partner sleeps under the bed of the patient and the rest of the family; babies too sleep on the patio outside the door. They cook Acholi staples of beans, rice, posho (cornmeal porridge) and various other simple dishes in designated areas around the hospital grounds. People walk through the hospital selling water and boiled eggs with a salt shaker on hand for taste.
Women cooking at Lacor Hospitol
Women cooking at Lacor Hospitol
Our client sat in his new wheelchair all laced up in a leather corset to keep him up right. Patrick, the GDPU case worker, who also uses a wheelchair, instructed him on how to use his catheter and urine bag. The man gazed at him, alternating between looks of pain and gratitude.
Woman in bed at Lacor Hospitol.
Woman in bed at Lacor Hospitol.
While we waited for the family to get ready and for Patrick to record the man’s story I played with some kids in the courtyard who amused themselves by hanging peanuts off their ears. Again, the children here amaze me with their joy and creativity even in the worst moments.
Boy at Lacor Hospitol with peanut earrings.
Boy at Lacor Hospitol with peanut earrings.
By the time everyone was packed into the Toyota SUV there was no room for me so I decided to take a motorcycle taxi back to town. I wandered to the taxi station through the hospital’s system of courtyards and wards teaming with patients with the occupational therapist who complained that the family wasn’t ready right when we arrived- he likes systems to run efficiently and he must divide his time amongst so many. He had many nice things to say to GDPU and I admired him for his dedication to helping the newly disabled figure out how to survive.
