Special needs dad calls for help

By Hannah Awadzi

Accra, June 14, GNA – A special needs father, Mr Martin Edem Segbedzi, father of a four year old boy with cerebral palsy, has called on government to put support systems in place to support for persons like him

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, he said, he is unable to get a job in the formal setting because there will be no one to leave the boy with.

He said he applied for the District Assembly Common Funds for Persons with Disability in March 2021 in the Central Tongu District, to enable him start something which will allow him to do caregiving whiles working at home but till date he has not been called for the funds.

“Aside that, stigmatization in my area, Adidome, is very high, people say all kinds of things about me, a certain woman has made it her business to be telling people not to get close to me because I have gone to do some rituals with my son,” Mr Segbedzi said

He said there are no educational facilities in his area ready to accept his son and there are no rehabilitation centres, “I am always in the room with my son, whether I am sick or well, I am the one to do the caregiving, there is no support.”

Mr Segbedzi is a graduate with a bachelor degree in Basic education, he has a certificate in IT secretarial-ship and is able to do type setting and other secretarial duties, aside that he is able to paint.

He said when he is able to raise some money he will like to buy a printer and other equipment to start some secretarial business while he takes care of his son.

Mr Segbedzi called on the government to prioritise the setting up of support systems to enhance the lives of parents’ especially single parents of children with disabilities.

GNA