********************
GRANTS AWARDED, 2008
********************

Congratulations to our grant winners! Below we have reproduced the winning grant proposals.

********************

Name: Rachel Johnson
Date: January 2009
Amount requested: $1,000
Timeframe for Project: 2009-10

Research & Training Project at Hoytakpoolom, Bangkok, Thailand

Project Focus:

• The beneficial effects of Thai Massage on children with Cerebral Palsy.
• The stress-reducing effects for the parent or caregiver giving Thai massage.

Overview:
The Hoytakpoolom center in Bangkok supports children with disabilities, their parents and caregivers. Their target groups are families with children who have cerebral palsy, for whom they provide in-home support services, as well as daily programs at their center.  Activities include a weekly club where parents learn Thai massage. I propose to visit the Hoytakpoolom center as a volunteer, learn about the application of Thai massage to working with children with disabilities, as well as gain insight into the range of support that is offered at the center. Upon return to the USA, I will teach Thai massage to parents of children with cerebral palsy through local support groups in my area. With sufficient experience, I would hope to train other Thai massage therapists to teach this therapy in their communities.

Cerebral Palsy:           
Cerebral Palsy is caused by an injury to the brain before, during, or shortly after birth.  In many cases, no one knows for sure what caused the brain injury or what may have been done to prevent the injury.  All children with cerebral palsy have damage to the area of the brain that controls muscle tone.  As a result, they may have increased muscle tone, reduced muscle tone, or a combination of the two (fluctuating tone).  Which parts of their bodies are affected by the abnormal muscle tone depends upon where the brain damage occurs.

Hoytakpoolom:
From the website: www.hoytakpoolom.org: “Hoy-Tak-Poo-Lom is the phonetic spelling of two Thai words, 'hoy-tak' which means snail, and 'poo-lom' which means crab. The significance is that the foundation takes a disabled child, who is slow, like a snail, as a consequence of its disability, and helps it become fast, like a crab. Throughout Thailand, the foundation is known as 'Hoy-Tak-Poo-Lom'.

The website describes the weekly Thai massage class as follows: “Thai massage has been a fantastic method to help the children relax. Touch helps the child loosen up, it reduces spasticity, helps develops muscle control and improves bodily function. Additionally, it's a great way for the parent and child to bond together.”

Massage for Infants and Children:
It is well documented [1] that infant massage contributes significantly to the emotional and physical development of babies. In addition, research has confirmed benefits to the parent or caregiver who gives the massage. In the West, oil massage is most commonly known for infants, as practiced in India, Africa, and indigenous cultures worldwide. The application of Thai massage for young children offers a format which would extend the benefits of massage into the everyday settings of life – no equipment, no special oil, no need to remove clothing.

Since receiving training in baby massage in England, have been offering it as a welcome baby gift to my post-partum massage clients. I have also assisted groups of parents learning to give baby massage together. I’ve never seen a disabled child in these classes. While most participants are proud and joyful about their beautiful new babies, the parent of a disabled child must often be suffering loss, grief, isolation and depression. Since tense parents communicate stress to their babies through touch as well as all other interactions, it would be particularly beneficial to extend the benefits of baby massage into the disabled community, providing healing touch to the children, and supportive stress relief for the parent or caregiver.



Course of Action:
To ensure a successful outcome to this project, I’ve identified the following steps before, on, and after the study trip planned for December 2009:

In USA - 2009:

• Research cerebral palsy and its treatment.
• Understand the condition from the point of view of Traditional Thai Medicine. There may be useful insight into how this condition is viewed and treated in comparison with Western medicine.
• Experience the environment of support for children and caregivers. I have contacted my local chapter of the United Cerebral Palsy foundation, and the ARC Foundation, for further help.
• Volunteer with a suitable support group to gain insight into the experience of children and parents in the early stages of cerebral palsy.
  

In Thailand - December 2009:

• Volunteer at Hoytakpoolom Center in Bangkok. Visit a regional center, perhaps Chiang Mai.
  
• Learn about the application of Thai massage for children with disabilities. Assist in the weekly class and learn about how the subject is presented and taught to the parents and caregivers.
  

• Some questions are: What are the benefits of Thai massage to their child? Do the parents attend every week for a set period of time? Do they continue to give Thai massage at home between classes? What teaching materials do they find helpful? How are other family members involved?
  
• Identify ways to give back support to Hoytakpoolom, whether through financial contribution, fundraising, supplies, or volunteer activity.

In USA - 2010:

• Develop Thai massage classes for parents of children with cerebral palsy.

Grant Request:
The inspiration for this study/teaching project has come very recently, so this proposal can only be a broad outline at present. I anticipate that I will be able to give a detailed progress report as the project unfolds.

I expect to fund this project from my income as a Thai massage therapist and teacher here in San Francisco. Financial support at any level from Shivago.org would be welcome. I don’t know what the actual expenses will be yet, but they will include:

• Travel to Thailand
• Documenting classes – photo/video possibly
• Use of an interpreter/assistant in Bangkok

The process of writing this grant proposal has helped to accelerate an inspiration into a plan of action. For that I am already grateful. I would also appreciate any advice, comments, and suggestions to help achieve the goals of this project.