The Global Therapy Exchange is a team of physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, educational specialists, and medical providers dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and adults with special needs in impoverished areas around the globe.

Located in Boulder, Colorado, the Global Therapy Exchange has continued the city’s long-standing relationship (over 20 years) with Jalapa, Nicaragua. Through involvement with many aspects of local community resource development, the group’s central purpose is to improve health, quality of life, and education standards. 

Following several visits to Jalapa and nearby Nicaraguan villages over a five-year period, Betsy Duckett, RN and Judi Jackson, Speech Language Pathologist, recognized the presence of a large number of children and adults with special needs in the community. Families struggling with daily life were further challenged to provide care and support to these children, with none of the resources we would recognize as essential. Initial home visits and meetings with local community members and professionals showed great need for the information that we have readily available as healthcare workers in the United States.

Initial assessments indicated that there were over 800 children with special needs in the Jalapa Valley and minimal services to meet these needs. Local community partners were available to help with finding the children, communicating with families, and arranging therapy clinics and home visits.  

The Global Therapy Exchange began in 2009 with a pilot delegation that traveled to Jalapa, Nicaragua to provide therapy, education services and supplies to this rural valley.

We look forward to further assisting the Jalapa community and hope to expand our services to other impoverished locales around the world.