Hi, and welcome to the home of the swissphysiobhutan project! My name is Leanna and thank you for taking a minute of your time to read about my plans. It all started when I visited Bhutan in Autumn 2023 and had the chance to visit the foundation named Ability Bhutan Society (ABS) which was established for children with disabilities. I was impressed by the benevolence the employees showed for the children and decided I would love to support them and come back to ABS as a volunteer. My plan is to build up an embedded physiotherapy as a way of offering practical support to the foundation. 

Just as every tree
has its purpose,
​so does every person.
Bhutanese Proverb

Bhutan is such an amazing country, and the wellbeing of every person and their natural environment is of highest importance. The concept of Ability Bhutan Society (ABS) was inspired by the vision of His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, The King of Bhutan, of a compassionate and just society. The Ability Bhutan Society is an important pillar to support children with disabilities and their families to improve their quality of life and help them find their place in the Bhutanese society. 

In Bhutan the term "diverse ability" is often used whereas in Switzerland we tend to use the term "disability". I like the Bhutanese style as it focusses on the individual abilities of children and not on their deficiencies. Therefore, I will also refer to these children as "children with diverse abilities" in recognition of the fact that they have special needs but focussing on the abilities they have despite the physical and mental challenges they were born with or have developed. ​

My aim is to volunteer for a year at the Ability Bhutan Society in Thimphu beginning in August 2025 to offer my professional knowledge and experience as a physiotherapist specialised in working with children with diverse abilities. 
​
Ability Bhutan Society has a broad variety of different services but as yet no integrated physiotherapy. Possibilities of receiving therapy at the general hospital are very limited and time-consuming. Also, there is not a specific focus on children with diverse abilities. 

If you're interested in supporting the project, click here.

If you want to contact me directly you can send a message here.

Happiness is not having and getting,
​but giving and being.
Bhutanese Proverb

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