Stories of Hope

Starting the School Year Strong

Back to school season at SOS was busier than ever as the Local Education Program served 39 high school and post-secondary schools and rushed to replace supplies lost in an arson fire at Marion C. Moore High School.

A SPECIAL DELIVERY FOR HONDURAS

Ten stuffed suitcases and a mission team of five brought improved labor and delivery care for thousands of mothers and babies in La Paz, Honduras. And one little girl received the gift of a lifetime.

In the medically underserved region of La Paz, Honduras, laboring mothers travel four or more hours by bus to deliver at El Hospital Roberto Suazo Cordova in a maternity ward with virtually no medical supplies. “The hospital president showed us the supply closet and it was basically empty,” says Jackie Napper, one of the trip organizers. “And women walk themselves up to a table, sit down and deliver a baby.” Before this recent mission trip, these mothers also had to bring their own diapers and infant care items.

That is just one of the practices that has changed since Napper and four others (including Maria Connley, RN BSN, CCRN and surgeon Dr. Steve Kelty, MD) arrived with ten suitcases carefully stuffed with over 357 lbs of anesthesia, trach, general surgery, oxygen, suction, PPE, skin prep, IV, OBGYN, diapers, infant hygiene items and more.

During their visit, Jackie and Maria gave out infant care kits and even got to visit one of the mothers who had delivered her baby in the SOS-equipped hospital. “We got to see her holding her newborn in her home,” says Napper. "It was rewarding to see a happy, healthy baby and mom in their home with the supplies they need.” They also gifted a special wheelchair from SOS to Princessa, an 8-year-old girl with cerebral palsy whose mother used to carry her everywhere. “There were tears of joy all around,” says Napper. “This wheelchair is hers. It will change everything for her.”

The group has been traveling to La Paz for four or five years and will return in November. There are now plans in the works to build a new maternity center. “We feel connected to this community. We have watched some of these babies grow up and we know that with partners like SOS we can have a real impact.”

SERVING NEIGHBORS WITH NEIGHBORS

Our ninth Free Wheelchair Repair & Cleaning Clinic was a huge success thanks to the collaborative efforts of some new local partners.

The Louisville Central Community Clinic (LCCC) at 1300 Muhammad Ali Boulevard was bustling this past Sunday morning when more than a dozen volunteers showed up to repair and clean wheelchairs and serve seventeen members of the local disability community. From providing a new replacement scooter to doing arm and footrest adjustments and joystick replacements, Local Program Manager Brian Jointer and the tech crew spent three plus hours successfully troubleshooting and problem-solving, sending clients on their way with working mobility equipment that let them get back to the business of living.

The scene on Saturday showed that local partner support goes far beyond dollars to include volunteerism and service that make each clinic so much more than a repair appointment. First-time location partners LCCC went above and beyond– providing free lunches and drinks for clients and volunteers. New partners TARC 3 spread awareness of the clinic to their clients through a letter campaign and funding partners Park Community Credit Union contributed in other ways too– with five team members signing up to help register guests, collect data and serve lunches with a smile. Louisville Metro Animal Services may even help one Wheelchair Clinic client, Adam, adopt a dog. “This clinic was the perfect example of community partnerships in action,” says Jointer. “With the help of our local partners, we continue to improve our service and build awareness so those in need of mobility repairs know that there are people who truly want to help.” (Clinic photos courtesy of Ryan Peterson)

CHEERS FOR OUR VOLUNTEERS!

Over the past few weeks, we welcomed volunteers from Women Networking for a Cause and Galen College of Nursing who helped sort items going to our local education program and Zambia.

If you're looking for a group outing that builds camaraderie and contributes to the greater good, come to SOS and find out why over 2,000 volunteers choose to dedicate their time to our mission.

Volunteer shifts can be scheduled Monday through Thursday, 9-11:30 am or 1-3:30 pm or on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 9-12:00 by emailing Sarah.Mayer@soshealthandhope.org or using the button below.

We would love to have you!