From September 26 to October 3, a dedicated team of 9 Cole Health employees utilized their unique gifts and talents to bring hope to the Cutuglagua village, about an hour away from Quito, Ecuador. This marks the foundation’s second consecutive mission to this area in collaboration with Servants in Faith and Technology (SIFAT). Unsurprisingly, this trip proved to be equally life-changing for both patients and therapists.
The themes of “transformation” and “impact” resonated deeply with many participants, serving as a powerful reminder of the ability one has to make a difference. We’ve invited our mission team to reflect on their travels, experiences, and takeaways from this year. Below, you will find our Q&A, highlighting exciting details from their 8-day journey!
WHAT WAS A MOMENT FROM YOUR TIME IN ECUADOR THAT YOU’LL NEVER FORGET?
Christal Dickson, M.Ed., M.S., CCC-SLP: The home visit really stuck with me, and it is something I will never forget. Seeing parents do everything they could to seek services and support for their children while also balancing work and other responsibilities was incredibly moving. It reminded me of the length parents will go to advocate for their children and how important it is that families have access to the resources and care they need. Additionally, they had their concerns and just wanted a second opinion, or an opportunity for more services while we were there, as plenty of families came back multiple times while we were there.
Jenny Villegas, M.S., CCC-SLP: I had the privilege of meeting Sebastian and his mother early in the week. Sebastian has an autism diagnosis and primarily relies on gestures and behaviors to indicate what he wants. He is nonverbal and inconsistently uses a few single words. Our team provided Sebastian with a communication notebook and then trained his mother, along with school and church staff, on how to utilize it to support his communication needs. Across two sessions, Sebastian went from avoiding interaction and independently accessing what he wanted to being engaged in therapeutic activities and requesting verbally with single words. A few of us were also able to visit Sebastian and his mother’s home, hear their story, and then pray for them and provide groceries to the family during the week.
Sydney Krueger, MOT, OTR: While it is incredibly difficult to choose just one moment from a week filled with unforgettable memories, I will never forget my home visit. SIFAT arranges opportunities for team members to visit a family’s home and spend a few hours experiencing a glimpse of their daily life. The family I visited was one I had the privilege of treating. A young boy lived there with his mother, father, and two older sisters in a small two-bed, one-bath home. The family did not have running water (collected the rain water to use the restroom and bathed in the stream) and were squatting in the house because they had nowhere else to go after being evicted from their previous home when they could no longer afford the rent.
Despite the challenges they faced, they graciously welcomed us into their home and shared the little space they had. I was deeply moved by their hospitality and gratitude. They were genuinely thankful for the opportunity to host us and allow us into their home. As we sat together, the mother shared her testimony, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. It reminded me not to take for granted the comforts and blessings I overlook each day. I left their home with a deeper appreciation for all that I have and a greater sense of gratitude for the stability, resources, and opportunities that many of us consider ordinary.
Morgan Miller, PT, DPT: I treated an older couple who were both dealing with a lot of pain. While I was with the husband, I noticed that the wife looked very stiff and uncomfortable. When it was her turn, she shared that she had neck pain. I provided manual therapy and taught her exercises she could continue performing at home to help manage her pain. Although she was unable to read the written instructions on her home exercise program (HEP), she was able to use the pictures to learn the exercises and remember how to perform them independently at home. At the end of our session, she was incredibly thankful and happy. As she sat in the chair while we reviewed her exercises, I noticed a significant difference in her presentation. She appeared more relaxed, her posture had improved, and she had a genuine smile on her face. It was rewarding to see how providing hands-on care, adapting my education to meet her needs, and equipping her with tools to continue her exercises at home could make such a meaningful difference in her comfort and confidence.
Carleigh Sartor, OTD, OTR/L: One moment from my time in Quito that I will never forget was attending church and listening to a sermon about caring for children. The pastor said something that truly stayed with me: “Raise your voice for those who can’t raise their own.” Those words deeply resonated with me because, in our profession, we have the privilege of working with children of all abilities and being advocates for their needs. This experience reminded me of the importance of using our voices to stand up for those who may not be able to stand up for themselves. It reinforced how meaningful our work is and how important it is to ensure every child feels seen, heard, valued, and supported.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES YOU WORKED WITH?
Corynn Hebert M.A., CCC-SLP: That we truly take so much for granted in the United States. We have so much, including access to healthcare, that many families in Quito don’t have.
Carleigh Sartor, OTD, OTR/L: I learned that life is not defined by the things we own, but by the connections we make and the impact we have on others. Working with these children and families taught me to appreciate the little moments, value time spent with loved ones, and recognize the importance of being present. Their strength and resilience reminded me that even in difficult circumstances, love, compassion, and shared memories are what matter most.
Morgan Miller, PT, DPT: To be grateful for the opportunities we are given and the resources we have access to, while continuing to serve and support others even when we face challenges of our own.
WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU SAW IN ECUADOR THAT YOU’D LOVE TO BRING TO YOUR OWN COMMUNITY?
Morgan Miller, PT, DPT: I would love to bring the sense of community and selflessness back home, where people willingly help one another and remain open and grateful for opportunities to learn from each other.
Carleigh Sartor, OTD, OTR/L: Something I would love to bring back to my own community is the strong sense of connection and care that I experienced in Quito and the town of Cutuglagua. The way people genuinely look out for one another, support each other, and come together as a community was truly special. It reminded me of the importance of building relationships, showing compassion, and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported. I would love to see that same sense of unity and care reflected in my own community.
Corynn Hebert M.A., CCC-SLP: Grace. The people in Quito and at SIFAT were filled with such grace and joy. I want to continue to bring grace into everything I do, and to slow down and enjoy life’s precious moments.
Jenny Villegas, M.S., CCC-SLP: It was beautiful to see how the church loved the people in their community as well as welcomed us in! The church came around the people and supported the needs of the community in such a profound way. I observed them meeting their physical needs by providing them with food, teaching the children, and bringing in teams that provide medical care. They instructed them spiritually by teaching them biblical truths. They also advocated for those children and families that were dealing with abuse or mental health issues. I want to show and reflect the love of Jesus in this way and be a “voice” for the children like I saw the Ecuadorians do for their children and families.
HOW HAS THIS TRIP CHANGED THE WAY YOU APPROACH YOUR WORK BACK HOME?
Jenny Villegas, M.S., CCC-SLP: It reminds me of how blessed we truly are in this country and it also gives me a fresh perspective in working with special needs children to look at the entire family unit and consider all their needs
Christal Dickson, M.Ed., M.S., CCC-SLP: This trip has made me even more appreciative of the access to care, resources, and services we are able to provide our patients and families here in the United States. It reminded me that it is not necessarily that parents aren’t seeking services or advocating for their children; sometimes, they simply do not have the same access to care that we do here. Moving forward, I want to be even more intentional about approaching each family with empathy, recognizing the effort it takes to show up, and never taking for granted the opportunity we have to make a difference in a child’s life.
Morgan Miller, PT, DPT: This trip has helped me to reflect more on the importance of parent education and how I present home exercise programs (HEPs). I want to improve HEP compliance by clearly explaining each exercise, emphasizing the importance of practicing at home, and providing frequent reminders and encouragement. I was amazed by how many questions and concerns the parents in Ecuador had about their children and how committed they were to helping the kids continue to improve. Their dedication reinforced the importance of empowering caregivers with the knowledge and tools they need to support their children’s progress at home.
Corynn Hebert M.A., CCC-SLP: This trip changed my perspective culturally, mentally, and spiritually. It reminded me how important community is, and that continuing to give back with a graceful heart is what truly fills your cup.
