Dear fellow VPTA members:

I will be volunteering as a physical therapist and guest lecturer at Da Nang
Orthopedic & Rehabilitation Center in Da Nang, Vietnam, from May 17 to July 6,
2006, with Health Volunteers Overseas to assist in training the local physical
therapists, students, doctors, and staff in evaluations and treatment techniques
often used in the U.S.A.

The clinic provides care to all patient's regardless of ability to pay and is in
need of some basic rehabilitation supplies. Also, the physical therapy students
and PT staff would appreciate textbooks specifically with pictures...most are
unable to speak/read English. The wish list is as follows:

- hot packs
- Theraband
- Exercise book w/pictures
- Bicycle or motorcycle helmets (to prevent TBI's which is a BIG problem)
- splinting materials
- AFO's
- electrodes and wires, portable EMS machines
- resting splints, good hemislings for severe subluxed shoulders, edema glove
for the hand, stockinette
- abdominal braces, back corsets or Jewitt type brace, rigid neck collars
- Zimmer splints to keep knee extension in standing; or KAFO type splints for
training
- balance retraining cushions or foams, Sissl type cushions;
- stroke rehab furniture (wheel walkers, platform walkers, quad canes, stools on
wheels, different height stools and boxes
- slings and springs for suspended exercises (they have a grid)
- wheelchairs, seat cushions, lay trays (inpatients all share 1-2 wheelchairs
for portering only)

Any donation no matter how small would be appreciated and is TOTALLY TAX
DEDUCTIBLE...just let me know how much the item cost or, if its used, the
estimated value, and I will get an official letter from health volunteers
overseas with their tax code for your tax deduction when I return.

If you are interested in making a donation, please bring it along with you to
the VPTA retreat at Smith Lake in April or give it to your district leader who
will be attending and I will pick it up there. If you are in the northern
district and will not be attending, I can make plans with you to pick it up and
your work or home...please call or email me at the number/address below.

Thank you all in advance for your help. I hope to take lots of picture and will
have a album made for all to view.

Sincerely,

Lori Alexander, MSPT
VPTA Northern District Membership Chair
(703)619-9409
lalexan2@...