Parents call for support for children with Cerebral Palsy

Parents of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) have called for social support services that will enhance the lives of families raising such children.

The parents, at a meeting on Saturday, said the lack of services such as professional caregiver support, educational support and the absence of community-based rehabilitation centres made it difficult for them to feel part of society.

Mrs Hannah Awadzi, the Executive Director of the Special Mothers Project, an advocacy and awareness creation programme on CP, said the parents were ready to engage with government and offer suggestions that would enhance the living conditions of families raising such children.

Cerebral Palsy is a neurological condition that affects the movement and sometimes speech of children. It is the number one cause of disability in children.

Mrs Awadzi said majority of such parents did not have access to the Disability Fund and that children with CP were often left out when dealing with issues of disability.

She called on the Government to engage parents when drafting policies that affect them, saying; “The mothers, especially, are in a better position to suggest practicable policies that will enhance the lives of families raising children with cerebral palsy.”

Mrs Gifty Iddrissu, the Coordinator of the Special Mothers Project, advised parents to invest time and effort into making their children with CP independent.

“Transform your home into a therapy centre, let therapy be part of your daily routine,” she said.

The parents used the meeting as an opportunity to network, share words of encouragement and have fun.

The Special Mothers Project also serves as a peer counselling platform for parents of children with cerebral palsy.