Kelvin the Mobilizer!

You and I give children toys at Christmas, but last Christmas Kelvin Ho gave one of our disabled children a fantastic gift - the ability to hold a toy unassisted for the very first time!

But that's not the only thing he gave last Christmas. Kelvin gave up three days of his holidays to teach the staff at our Xining Children's Home how to mobilize previously stiff limbs.

Kelvin is a Pediatric Physiotherapist who works in Hong Kong.  He paid all his own expenses to go to Xining where he did an intensive three-day pediatric physiotherapy training course with the staff.  

The trainees were local staff employed by the government. Their formal education ranges from high school certificate, to nurse’s aide. Any other training they may receive is usually on the job.  Xining Children’s Home simply cannot pay the competitive salaries demanded by qualified professionals. This is why we are always extremely grateful for volunteers like Kelvin!

His first teaching 'model' at Xining was Lui-Min, who has cerebral palsy with spastic quadriplegia. Kelvin taught the trainees a technique called ‘NDT’ or Neuro-Developmental Treatment. When Kelvin demonstrated the technique on Lui-Min the results were immediately obvious. Lui-Min was able to handle a toy, unassisted, for five whole seconds, which he hadn’t been able to do before! Then he surprised everyone by standing with only minimal support - surpassing all expectations.

Kelvin’s trainees were enormously encouraged and felt empowered by what they were learning as they saw that other children’s previously stiff little limbs were mobilized.

Kelvin says, "My first experience at Xining Children’s Home was very meaningful. It made me reflect on my profession, and reconfirm the reason I became a Pediatric Physiotherapist. There is clearly a huge need at Xining Children’s Home for training, so I have made up my mind to volunteer over the Easter Holiday. I praise God for offering me the opportunity to conduct these workshops.  Hallelujah!"

We desperately need nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech therapists and special ed. teachers. Both short term volunteers (unpaid), and long term paid positions are available (unfortunately not at market rates!). If you, or someone you know, can give your time and skills as Kelvin did, please contact me via the blog Comments box so we can discuss it.