An Ideal World for Kids with Disabilities in Ghana

I was chatting with the doctor on our ship about plans for Ghana and we found out that we were both going to Accra.  He told me he was going to Accra to visit this place that makes orthopedics for children, which was fascinating to me.  He could see my excitement and invited me to come along.  Three of us girls accompanied Dr Bill and his wife Suzie to the Orthopedic Training Center.  After a long drive we pulled up a long driveway lined with trees to a welcoming center.  The entrance had large trees that offered a canopy of shade.  People in wheelchairs and on crutches were relaxing on this patio.  A statue stood in front, it had three young kids standing together, one on crutchs, one with a prostetic leg, and another in a leg brace, underneath it said, “All children are God’s gift”.  My first impression was very good and would just get better.  Sister Elizabeth greeted us; she is the woman who runs the place.  She took us into her office so we could sit down and talk before the tour.  She gave us a complete rundown of the Center with information on the history, politics, issues, children, philosophy, faith, and successes.  I wish I could remember it all and give it the justice it deserves.  I was extremely impressed with the organization in every aspect.  It is sponsored or affiliated with the Catholic Church and I believe this is the driving force for its success.  On the back of their calendar it says, “These past 50 years have been filled with many blessings, and we are grateful to God for all that has been accomplished to improve the lives of the physically challenged in Ghana.”  So many individuals, especially children are physically disabled with very few options available to them in their society.  It is not an easy place to live if you have any form of disability.  Sister Elizabeth welcomes every individual who needs help.  It is not just a place for rehabilitation but for healing.  The grounds of the Center are beautiful with flowers, open space, great trees, and a small swimming pool for rehabilitation work. 

We got a complete tour of the grounds.  There is a huge factory that makes all of the orthopedics, shoes, wheelchairs, crutches, and just about anything.  We got to see craftsmen at work and each item of work was identified with a person.  Sister Elizabeth would tell us a story of despair and then hold up an orthopedic and talk of hope.  In the same building of the factory, patients are being seen and measure for orthopedics.  Outside of the factory another building is a home for mothers and children.  Many babies are born with clef feet and have early reconstruction.  There is a school on site, rooms for boys and girls, and three meals a day.  It is fully staffed with devoted doctors, educators, nuns, shoe and prosthetics makers, and helpers.  This was an eye opening experience to see an incredibly successful program.