(Mayaguez, Puerto Rico) For the past four days, the team of certifed athletic trainers from East Stroudsburg University of Pennyslvania's Graduate Athletic Training Program have been kept very busy providing support as part of the Servicios Medico Unit at the XXI Central American and Caribbean Games. The following posts and blog entries will include pictures that help tell about our awesome experience here in the Porta Del Sol region of Puerto Rico. Having survived the severe weather on Sunday, several team members fought through minor illnesses to care for their assigned teams/sports throughout the week.
From Moca, site of the XXI CAC Games Weightlifting competition, Professor McGuire and students Bill Coburn and Jason Hickman wrote about their first day (Sunday, 19 July):
Yesterday was our first day at the Weightlifting venue in the small town of Moca, Puerto Rico. We arrived early (to beat the traffic), located the venue and with time to spare decided to explore the downtown area. We found the town square, but because it Sunday, everything was closed. We made our way to the McDonald's where we ate a light breakfast and then return for the start of the competition. Once onsite, we met Savier, a physical therapist who was also assigned to the venue. He introduced us to the Mayor of Moca who stated that he was very happy to have us in his city and welcomed us by presenting us with a souvenir commemorating Moca's selection as a XXI CAC site.
Later that day we had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Hiram Luigi, an orthopedic surgeon who works at the St. Carlos Hospital (located next door). Dr. Luigi's orthopedic assistant, Ismael, explained to us that Dr. Luigi is one of only three orthopedic surgeons in the northwest island. During breaks, we spent time discussing the various injuries seen in weightlifting athletes and learning about orthopedic care in Puerto Rico.
The atmosphere at the weightlifting event surprised us all. the top male and female lifters from throughout Central America and the Caribbean supported each other by standing, cheering, and playing drums and tamborines! There were hundreds of fans singing and dancing between ech athlete's session. The best part of the day was watching the top two female lifters (Mexico and Puerto Rico) both break the CAC Games record which was previously held by the Mexican athlete. The arean was so loud it was deafening. We definitely got chills! This was a great reminder as to why we all love sports so much.
From an injury perspective, it was a relatively uneventful day. Many of the athletes have a coach and/or "trainer" (NOT Athletic Trainer) who assists with conditiioning, pre-event massage, and the application of heat. We ended the day by traveling back to the "International Zone" where we ate dinner with athletes, coaches and medical personnel from the various countries. On the way back to Boqueron, "home for twenty days", we picked up Jane Scheffler who was wrapping up her day at the Natatorium. (L. McGuire, B. Coburn, and J. Hickman)
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From the Natatorium at UPR- Mayaguez, Jane Scheffler wrote:
Sunday was my first day working at the aquatics venue in Mayaguez. Professor Rodriguez and Dr. Hauth transported me to the venue and introduced me to a nice nurse named Danami who was also working at this site. Once inside the natatorium, I met Dr. Tous who is the Medical Director Swimming, Diving, Synchronized Swimming and Water Polo. Dr. Tous is a very nice gentleman who took the time to make sure I was comfortable with my role at the games.
I also had the opportunity to meet several students from UPR-Ponce's Athletic Therapy program. One student, Lillian, is planning on enrolling in ESU's Graduate Athletic Training Program in the fall of 2011. Sheis fluent in English and a good bit of the day was spent teaching her about American Football! Another student, Laneisha, was also very helpful.
During a long break in the afternoon, ESU Graduate Student and UPR-Ponce Graduate, Dianneliz Garcia introduced me to her hometown of Mayaguez. She took me to a restaurant where I tried a traditional Puerto Rican dish called "mofongo'. Mofongo is smashed mature plantains which are stuffed with various meats, vegetables and/or seafood. I also tried "Brazo Gitano" which is a pastry made at the famous Ricommin Bakery in Mayaguez. Sold throughout the island, the recipe for this pastry is a well kept secret. I tried the guava and queso as this is Dianneliz's favorite.
I also had the opportunity to visit with Dianneliz's family at her home in Mayaguez. Everyone was very welcoming and let me know that "their home was now my home". All the people we have met are so nice and are very eager to teach us about their culture and language. These games are very exciting and I am thrilled ot be able to share it with them. (J. Scheffler)
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