Cerebral Palsy, although primarily a movement disorder may also lead to impairments in understanding & cognition, learning, intellect, speech, sensations, hearing and vision; depending upon the areas of brain damaged. It affects Children. Therapy helps a child recover with lesser associated problems. This project will empower a child with Cerebral Palsy aged 0-8 yrs from low income families in rural Kenya through affordable therapy services and train 52 caregivers on best care
Cerebral Palsy is the most common childhood motor disability.In Kenya Children with disabilities experience stigma from birth and are more prone to exclusion, concealment, abandonment, institutionalization and abuse.The cost of rehabilitation and assistive devices is a major barrier for children with disabilities from low-income families.This means that "at risk" children fail to get early intervention which would greatly improve their quality of life as well as increase their independence.
Early Milestones Intervention & Development Center provides low- cost therapy services to children from low income families. The children's parents/caregivers are trained in skills necessary for the development of the child to their fullest potential. Awareness programs are also done to the public to promote understanding of children with Cerebral Palsy in the community so as to stop stigma enabling full participation in the society.
By recruiting parents as active interventionists in the rehabilitation process at the earliest point in time, much less costly intervention will be needed as the child grows. As children manifest their innate skills and talents are brought out, they will find a path to become contributing members of the society. Benefits to society include reducing economic burden through a decreased need for special education and increased eligibility for employment as the children mature into adulthood
This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).
