For Stéphania, being a physiotherapist is both a vocation and a vision for the future

Physiotherapy, a meaningful profession

Why did I choose to become a physiotherapist? I wanted to do a job that was useful, caring and practical. Physiotherapy is still a relatively undeveloped field in Haiti and I wanted to help develop it. It is a rapidly evolving profession, with huge needs within the community. For me, this choice is both a calling and a vision for the future.

What I enjoy is that I use my skills to help vulnerable people in my community and that, through my work, I contribute to improving the quality of life of my patients. I do a job that is meaningful to me and to the people I care for.

The role of a physiotherapist requires a great deal of empathy, as we support people who are struggling both physically and psychologically. Patience is also essential, as rehabilitation is a gradual process that takes time and perseverance.

A daily routine that demands a great deal of creativity and adaptability

We don’t often think about it, but this job also requires a great deal of creativity. At the moment, I’m working with displaced people living in temporary accommodation sites in Port-au-Prince. We don’t have enough space to store the equipment, so we have to carry it every day. Some mornings, when we arrive at the sites, we have to wait for people to wake up and tidy away their bedding so they can make room for our temporary set-up made of screens. On a day-to-day basis, we have to be flexible and constantly adapt.

Living conditions at the sites are very precarious; some people sleep on the bare ground. Poor living standards, a lack of resources and limited access to healthcare can worsen the health of displaced people. Some are unable to attend rehabilitation sessions regularly because they do not have enough to eat or require prior specialist care that is inaccessible. Furthermore, the context of insecurity creates a situation of constant stress and can constitute a risk factor for cardiovascular disease or a deterioration in the health of people in vulnerable situations.

For us too, this risk linked to insecurity leads to a constant fear of the unknown and heightened vigilance. We sometimes work near areas of conflict where there is a risk of stray bullets or kidnapping. We also occasionally face verbal abuse from displaced people who are themselves going through difficult times.

I hope to contribute to building a more inclusive and humane society

Nevertheless, the challenges we face only strengthen my determination and my desire to help others with professionalism and compassion. It is a pleasure to serve my community. It gives meaning to my work. The best thing about my job is still the contact I have with patients in their own homes, sometimes in their private spaces. This allows me to better understand their living conditions and to tailor my care to their specific circumstances. I know that I am helping to restore hope to people who did not choose the chaos in which they find themselves.

It is also very rewarding to see the progress made by patients and to observe, after just a few sessions, the impact of our intervention on their independence and on improving their quality of life. Every person who makes progress and whose quality of life improves reminds me that my presence and my commitment make a difference.

I would like all the displaced and vulnerable people we support to rediscover their zest for life. My hope is that the situation in Haiti improves so that they can return home and live with their families in peace and security.

For my part, I would like to broaden my experience in humanitarian work and strengthen my skills so that I can continue to provide quality care to those in need. I hope to contribute, in my own way, to building a more inclusive, stable and humane society, where every person, regardless of their circumstances, has a place and dignity.