Norman and Vickie Sutton are friends from Omaha (though we didn’t really know each other until we both moved here to Guatemala) who are serving at a children’s home in San Andres Sajcabaja, near Quiche. I got to visit them last June, and have been wanting to go back ever since.They have been here to Antigua a number of times, even staying with me a couple of nights. We had developed a rather pressing “to do” list of things for Dick and/or me to do up at the home, and finally we are making time to make the trip.
One of my main goals this trip was to spend some time working with Leslie. She is repeating first grade for the third time and REALLY wants to pass this year. As close as I can figure, she has some pervasive language disabilities, but, since she is a Spanish speaker and I don’t have the proper instruments to do a real evaluation, I’m relying on my experience and her current performance to put some stuff together to help her. I talked with the young man who tutors at the home, and together we went to visit her teacher at school.
There is no special education to speak of here in Guatemala, and most learning is done by rote memory. Leslie needs meaning to help her memory, so this puts her at a great disadvantage. The interesting thing I found, though, was that she can write/spell better than she can read. So were going to use this approach to help her better learn to read words. She also reads syllables, rather than words, so I’m working on some games to help her with this.It’s hard because I’d really like to stay and work with her, but will send Vickie stuff to work with her as I get it together. Pray for Leslie, please. School is not easy for her.
Dick had plenty of help setting up Alicia’s walker. He loves to “mechanic” with kids!
Dick brought walkers for Chepa and Alicia who live at the home. Chepa is 23 and has an inoperable brain tumor. She can support her weight to walk, but her balance is so poor she falls frequently. Dick and Norman rigged up a special walker for her, using forearm crutches for added security, and she’s loving getting around independently. 
Norman and Dick adjusting Chepa’s walker
We also talked with Oralia and Sebastian about the possibility of getting her a power wheelchair. The would like her to continue walking as long as she can, but both admit there are times when a power chair would be useful. That’s on Dick’s list for our next trip up.
Chepa “road testing” her new walker with Dick and Vickie
Alicia is 18 months old and appears to have Cerebral Palsy. Vickie and Norman have taken her to a neurologist in Guatemala City and he has recommended some exercises to help stretch and strengthen her muscles. Dick brought a walker to help her begin supporting her weight on her legs, and hopefully she’ll become strong enough to walk one day.
I have to admit, I used some of the time up in San Andres just to relax and regroup. I didn’t realize how tired I was until we got there. It’s funny how alike Vickie and I are—we both love just hanging out and don’t always feel the need to be busy. Dick and Norman, on the other hand, enjoy being occupied, and they found plenty to do, even taking the kids swimming one afternoon.
Dick working on Norman’s car (which he bought from Dick!) with his new best friend, Juan. Since neither of them speak much Spanish (Juan speaks mostly K’iche’, one of the Mayan languages) they had a lot in common.
In all, it was a good trip, too short, and one we won’t repeat soon enough. But we’re already making plans to head back north when I get back from the States in May.Thanks, Norman and Vickie, for making us so welcome and feeding us so well! To read Vickie’s version of our trip, click here.
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