Monday, Health Promotion Day and More….

As you can tell by the time, it has been another long but excellent day for us.  We started our day with breakfast at Rosie’s and then some quick prep for the block party in Manderson.  The block party was held at the Wounded Knee School in Manderson with a focus on things for the kids–WIngs Like Eagles provided activities, food, and giveaways. Our focus was on dental care teaching, first aid, poison prevention, car seat safety for the kids and then cardiovascular and diabetes screenings for the adults.  We did not see very many adults, but were able to interact with the kids which was really enjoyable.  The kids had so much fun, and no matter what they have or get as a giveaway, they are so happy.  I am very proud of my students–pitching in with the planned activities and even unplanned activities.  There was a bouncy house (technical term?) for the kids, and I got summoned to look at a boy’s foot that had an open wound.  He had cut his foot on a saw several days ago and got 7 stitches, after jumping in the bouncy house, he completely split his stitches open and his sock was stuck to it.  Mom was summoned by the school principal, and with her permission, I removed his sock, cleaned the wound, and dressed it.  I spoke to Mom about signs and symptoms of infection, how to take care of the cut, and then gave her a large bag of supplies so that she could care for it.  I am not a peds nurse, but I do so love feet :)!  I was happy to do this little bit–I do so love being a nurse AND being in Pine Ridge!

After the block party, we met with my personal hero, Joan Nelson, the administrator of the Oglala Lakota College Nursing Program.  She is so amazing!  She spoke to our students about their program (tuition is $87 a credit hour!), nursing on the reservation, and a bit about the Lakota culture.  She is caucasian and has worked on the reservation since 1969.  I always enjoy her presentation–she is so kind and welcoming.  The students seemed to enjoy the opportunity to compare their experience in nursing school in Illinois vs. nursing school on the reservation. 

After our college visit, we then went to the Walmart in Chadron, Nebraska.  During our two hour drive, we saw so many ring-necked pheasant–very interesting!  Our trip to Walmart was needed to pick up more supplies funded by our grant money–unfortunately, we did not have room to pack the ordered stuff (car seats, etc), and Walmart would not ship such a large order to the reservation.  We are now loaded down even more than before, but we have so much to give away. 

I am ready for bed, and as one of my students stated, “I am so tired that I could sleep with a raccoon”!  Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!  My traveling partner and fellow instructor, Lisa Preston, has been a trooper–she definitely has experienced the pull of the reservation and is already planning future contacts/trips to the rez!