Dodowa, (GAR) Oct. 15, GNA The Shai Osu Doku Association of Parents of children with Disabilities on Wednesday launched a mentorship programme for mothers of persons with cerebral palsy.
The mothers within the group will have regular meetings to share experiences and learn from each other and support one another in the nurturing of their children.
Ms Daniela Korletey, Senior Occupational therapist at the Shai Osu Doku Community based occupational therapy centre, who launched the programme said it was a practice she learnt from Canada.
“In Canada, the parents of the various disabilities come together to learn and mentor one another, and it is very helpful to the special needs parents’ community,”
The launch of the mentorship programme was part of a programme they put in place to mark cerebral palsy awareness day.
The programme was on the theme: “Everyone Belongs – Promoting Inclusion for Persons with Cerebral palsy.’
The Shai Osu Doku district has an association of parents with all kinds of disability, the association liaise with the professionals within the community to help their children access services like education, health care and other support systems.
Mrs Hannah Awadzi, an advocate of persons with Cerebral Palsy and mother of a 12-year-old girl with cerebral palsy, lauded the initiative and commended the association for making such giant steps.
Sharing her experiences, Mrs Awadzi said mentorship was a good step towards making parents accept and understand the conditions of their children.
“I have benefitted greatly from the mentorship of other parents of persons with cerebral palsy, I formed a community that thrives on mentorship and experience sharing and it has greatly helped me in my journey with my daughter,” she added.
Mrs Awadzi who is also the Executive Director of the Inclusive Family Alliance, an organisation that promotes inclusion for parents of children with disabilities, advised the parents to remain positive and steadfast in the nurturing of their children with cerebral palsy.
Mr Anthony Adoboe, Special Education Coordinator at the Shai Osu Doku District, urged the parents to bring their children out and let the world know that they exist.
“A lot of children with cerebral palsy are hidden in rooms and their parents shy away from bringing them out, you must be ambassadors to let other parents bring out their children. Persons with cerebral palsy can contribute so much to our development if we support them,” he added.
Mr Joseph Okanta Adjartey, Occupational Therapist at the Shai Osu Doku District Hospital, demonstrated to parents, the practical ways to position and handle their children.
He shared tips on feeding, the use of low-cost assistive devices, self-care tips, play and simple home exercises to support their children.
Mr Gabriel Narh, a person living with cerebral palsy, who also emceed the programme shared his experiences with the parents, challenging them to always support their children by bringing them out in the public.
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba