It has happened every summer since 2018: A group of students and faculty from Brenau University head to south Georgia to aid migrant farmworkers and their families with basic care needs and health screenings.
Again, they journeyed to Moultrie. This year there were 18 students plus their sponsoring faculty members from Brenau’s Ivester College of Health Sciences and Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
“Throughout the week in the mornings, the DPT students screened 84 children for fine and gross motor coordination development. These children ranged in age from preschool to middle school-aged,” supervising faculty sponsor Bob Cantu said. Laura Cantu, Ed.D., screened 15 children for educational and psychoeducational needs, including literacy skills. She then made follow-up recommendations with the local school districts.
In the evenings, the DPT students worked with more than 71 adult farmworkers to address musculoskeletal conditions.
“Treatment included manual therapy, exercise prescription, and the prescribing and application of braces and cold/hot packs,” Bob Cantu said. “Specifically, students evaluated and treated impairments of the low back, knee, shoulder, foot/ankle, wrist/hand and other associated injuries.”
PT students raised more than $9,000 to cover expenses during the week. Donors included individuals, local businesses and corporations. Benchmark Physical Therapy’s philanthropic Pillars With Purpose donated $2,000 to the group as a corporate supporter.