October 20, 2011

Our morning begins with a tour of a rehabilitation clinic for children (day therapeutic program for children with mobility impairments in addition to ID).  The clinic provides traditional therapies (PT, OT, speech, hydro) plus herbal and complimentary interventions.  The afternoon is spent at a day program for adults with Down syndrome run by parents out of a church with some support by the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul convent.  This program is truly a labor of love by the parents.  Between these site visits, while walking through old Havana, I have the opportunity to see an herbalist shop.  I couldn't get in to look around as the shop was full and the line was out the door.  Herbal remedies are very, very popular, along with complementary interventions, for all health issues.