EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

We received some heartbreaking news last month about one of our Haitian friends, Jolissaint Joseph. Many of us met him at the 2018 Skills For Life event. His joy was contagious, and it is hard to believe that he is no longer with us. After being fit with prostheses at SFL 5, he went on to work at a rehab clinic, inspiring those in his community. He leaves behind his wife and two-month-old daughter. Please read below to see how you can help his family in his memory.

What’s Coming

Even though there isn’t an in-person Skills for Life workshop in 2023, there are still many exciting ways to connect and learn within our community. From our May zoom meeting to an exciting event coming up in October, we are sure you will want to hear all the details.

Thank You Gerry

As Gerry Stark concludes his board service, I want to share a heartfelt, thank you. In the more than 20 years that I have known him, his quick wit and intellect have often been at our service. He was a sounding board for me, especially as we transitioned from our focus on a single event and scholarships to the resources and connections we support today. He said yes, accepted a board position, and has shared his research expertise, clinical connections, and passion for people. He has made us laugh, and although it is hard to say farewell, we know he will continue to make amazing things happen in prosthetics both nationally and internationally.

New Growth

Along with endings, we are also sharing a beginning. Please help me welcome Alyssa Daniels, Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Student. Alyssa will be doing her capstone work with ESFL from April-July 2023. A capstone project allows college students to demonstrate expertise in their major or area of study. She will be setting the foundation for our grant/development efforts, all aimed at growing our impact and creating more peer connections and resources. We’re looking forward to see how the seeds she will plant grow.

Thank you to everyone for supporting us. From reading the newsletter to sharing on line, helping us to spread the news about ESFL is a job we couldn’t do without you! 

Remembering our friend from Haiti -

Jolissaint Joseph

For those who may not be aware, Jolissaint Joseph, Cedieu Fortilus, Ivens Louius and Emmanuel Valcin all attended Skills for Life 5 in 2018. Jolissaint was fit with prosthetic arms while at the workshop thanks to Brad Veatch, Jon Batzdorff, Karl Lindborg and others. He went back to Haiti with newfound independence and worked at Cedieu’s rehabilitation clinic. We have kept in touch over the last 4 years and Cedieu was able to join us at Skills for Life 6. Sadly, Jolissaint was killed by gangsters while traveling to Port au Prince the last week of April. He leaves behind a new wife and 2-month old daughter.

The below message is from Ginger Oliver, Ginger is the founder and Executive Director of the Community Rehab Project which established and provides oversite for the Rehabilitation Center of Artibonite, the only rehabilitation clinic in Gonaives, Haiti. This city of 300,000 people previously had no access to rehabilitation services. She and her family regularly visit Haiti and she coordinates medical mission trips to Haiti throughout the year.

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We are so saddened by the senseless loss of our dear friend Jolissaint Joseph. We appreciate all the kind words and many prayers that have been offered in his name. We feel so blessed to have known and loved him and know that he has made an impact on all of our lives forever. His loving heart and determination to conquer his disabilities are such a powerful and lasting gift that he has left for so many others. His new wife, daughter, brothers and parents will forever be in our hearts. We are aware of the dangers of public fundraising at this time so we are fundraising privately to support Jolissaint’s wife and family in Haiti. If you are interested in contributing, please donate through the nonprofit organization Community Rehab Project and 100% of the donations in his name will go to his family. Please make sure to include his name in your donation.

www.communityrehabproject.com

ISPO Mexico & SFL 6 Slideshow

ESFL Executive Director, Shawn Johnson, presented on Occupational Therapy and Bilateral Upper Limb Loss in Guadalajara, Mexico on April 25th. The attendees consisted of therapists, physicians, prosthetists, nurses, manufacturers, professors, students, engineers, etc.

This opportunity provided an amazing platform with a global

audience to help raise awareness about the ESFL community along with the

events, programs, and the resources we offer. Many attendees expressed

appreciation knowing this organization exists and that they would be sharing

the knowledge with colleagues and patients. The presentation concluded with a

slideshow of the Skills for Life Workshop 6 set to music. The video impacted not only the healthcare professionals in the room, but also the translators and sound

technicians who expressed their appreciation by holding up heart signs at the conclusion.

Skills for Life 6 Recap Slideshow