A Machakos based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) has organized for a Cerebral Palsy walk.
Doors of Hope NGO’s programs director Jacqueline Shibalira says the event is meant to sensitize Kenyans on facts about Cerebral Palsy.
The event is slated for October 6, 2018, a day after the World International Cerebral Palsy Day usually marked on October 5, 2018.
Shibalira says participants will walk from the NGO’s offices in Athi River to Kitengela Grounds through the Nairobi-Namanga Road.
She says there is the need for Kenyans to be sensitized about Cerebral Palsy to counter lots of myths and misconception on the condition.
“There are lots of myths and misconceptions about Cerebral Palsy, some people still believe the condition is a curse, bad omen or punishment for wrongdoing,” said Shibalira.
She spoke to this writer at her office in Athi River on Wednesday.
Doors of Hope NGO implements programs on the condition in Machakos, Kajiado, Kitui, Makueni and Nairobi Counties.
It has a centre with more than 130 children.
Shibalira says the centre offers therapy, education, nutrition, counselling, medical services among others.
She said stigmatization is rampant among residents as far as cerebral palsy is concerned.
Shibalira says the situation has prompted most families with children living with the condition hide them inside houses despite sensitization and advocacy being conducted by various players in communities.
The walk is also meant to raise funds for buying a safety school bus for the centre.
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