GSE Indiana April 2009

Oh my, this is going to be tough to leave. We've experienced some fantastic places and people whilst we've been here and it's going to be hard to leave them.

 I've had some great vocational visits. It is amazing how different and yet similar the healthcare systems in our two  countries are and how they respond to Long Term Neurological Conditions. Their nursing homes over here appear bigger and brighter, and yet residents share rooms as it is cheaper,  in the UK that would be more or less unheard of.

There appear to be more 'grades' of staff in the homes, not just nurses and carers that we have in the UK. People keep their own Doctors when they move into these homes and they are called if they are needed, rather than having to use the GP who is attached to the home.

 I've had some really useful visits with people with Parkinson's Disease. Their experience of Healthcare over here still seems to lack an understanding of their condition until they are refered to the Dr, again as it is in the UK. Support groups appear to be a relatively new concept but those people who I've spoken to who attend a group have found them really useful.

My 'hobby' visits, Girlscouting and Theatre have been interesting too. Attending the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana AGM last week was quite amazing to see just how they recognise their volunteers with awards.

I've visited several theatres from the small local playwrights theatre to the Music and Arts Centre (MAC) at Indiana University for a back stage tour. All fascinating to see.

And then there have been all the other things - too numerous to mention, the visits with other team members to their vocational visits, the cultural trips, the places, the people and the new friends.

Thank you Rotary xx