March is an International Cerebral Palsy Awareness month, says Doors of Hope Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) project Director Jacqueline Shibalira.
Shibalira explains that Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a neurological disability which affects thousands of children in Kenya and across the world.
She says the entire world dedicates the month of March annually to conduct awareness creation in a bid of bringing to knowledge issues of Cerebral Palsy.
The Machakos based NGO boss adds that CP affects the brains of children, especially during birth. Brains of the victims get damaged during the delivery period.
She says the condition impacts on children’s brains, spine, movements, and speech.
“Cerebral Palsy has different levels, severe and partial disability. Since it is a motor disability in children, it affects their movement," Shibalira notes.
Shibalira says children living with Cerebral Palsy are either bedridden or walk with assistive devices.
She explains that early diagnosis can improve treatment in children since the condition can be rectified if detected early, it is not a permanent condition.
“It is advisable for the condition to be detected in children early enough so as to start therapy immediately, this will allow the affected children improve in their movements and lives,” Shibalira explains during an expert talk with Hivisasa.
Myths and misconception about Cerebral Palsy
“Cerebral Palsy has been treated as a myth in Kenya,” Shibalira states.
She says most people in the rural areas think that children who live with CP have been either bewitched or cursed.
Shibalira demystifies the misconception stating that any child can suffer from the condition at birth.
She says meningitis in children also leads to Cerebral Palsy, “It is not a myth, it is a condition that can be corrected if detected earlier.”
“It is evident that children with such conditions can have their lives improved, there are lots of improvements among the children at Doors of Hope NGO’s center.
The children under our care have stopped drooling,” says Shibalira.
The children at the facility are taught on speech therapy, ability to walk, among others.
Shibalira says most parents from Machakos County do not look at their children’s health, they just feed and hide them in houses due to stigma.
She says parents need to feed children with Cerebral Palsy on a balanced diet for growth and development.
“A 10-year-old child may look like a 3-year-old, while that of 3-year-old might look three months old due to nutrition factor,” Shibalira explains.
Shibalira says most of the parents with such children do not know how to feed them.
They should be taught on how to feed the children from soft to hard foods to help them be strong and independent.
“It is good to teach the society that a child can be able to attain his ability, it is not permanent,” she notes.
She maintains that parents need to bring their children out to the many centers which offer occupational therapies.
“Let them be assessed and placed in centers where they can get services, they are normal citizens.”
Shibalira says the children need to be given hope in life.
“As parents are in the parental journey of CP, they should not be demoralized. Parents should not get die in silence, join Doors of Hope and we will support you,” says Shibalira.