We really didn't expect that we'd get to go back to Kyrgyzstan so soon, if ever. But since we had the Thalmans, we wanted to have them help with meeting about a possible wheelchair training there next year. We met with the state secretary and several of his assistants. We all had name tags on the table. Our side was in English, and the side facing out was in Russian.
We think it was a very productive meeting. One of them remembered that the church had delivered some wheelchairs to Kyrgyzstan in the past. They also took us to tour their rehab facility and repair shop. They make prosthetics and orthotics there too. It was very interesting.
This is a hand crank chair that they use in the rehab center.
They have made this for someone to use to get around. The handles have rubber caps on the end to use to push yourself along. It's quite creative.
Here's their version of a potty chair.
This shop is where they assemble parts for wheelchairs and make repairs.
This little boy showed us his exercises in the rehab room.
This man is practicing using his new leg in the rehab room.
Their equipment is dated, but they're doing the best they can.
And Elder Thalman has made another new friend.
Later we visited the Maternity Hospital in Bishkek. This is where part of the training was done in September. The doctors from Utah wanted to provide some equipment to this hospital. It turned out that there was enough funds in the budget for five suction devices. Our translator, Jyldyz, had made all the arrangements, so we were able to fulfill this request.
No fathers are allowed into the hospital. They have a window to pass food through to their wives.
And they let us visit the babies.
And they showed us the labor rooms with the equipment donated by the church.
And on the way home, we made some new friends from China at the airport in Almaty. They needed a little help with the waiter. Good thing we know "Restaurant Russian"!
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