Therapy is the best medication to help children with cerebral palsy get better
* Seeks govt support
* As Sabi Chef calls for ‘special care fund’ for victims, care givers
The Trinity Omonigho Foundation has called on both federal and state governments to help children living with cerebral palsy.
The foundation also seeks to break the stigma widely associated with the condition while calling for institutional support for caregivers around the country.
The call was made during the public unveiling of the foundation which is a beacon of hope for children battling cerebral palsy and their families.
Speaking at the event which was held in Lagos, Joy Ogbidi, the convener of the Trinity Omonigbo foundation said the body was inaugurated with the aim to provide support, create awareness, and bridge the gap in access to quality care for children with cerebral palsy.
Ogbidi said so far the government has not done much to assist children suffering from cerebral palsy.
“What most of the general hospitals do, especially in Lagos state is that they book you for therapy once in 3 months and that does not heal the child at all, meanwhile a child with CP needs at least 3 sessions of a therapy in a week,” Ogbidi said.
She maintained that if a child misses a day’s therapy, that has removed six months of the child’s healing and if she misses two days, remove one year of the child’s healing.
“If the children are not getting the consistency and frequency, the need to move to the next stage in their healing process is not going to work for them,” Ogbidi said while sharing her journey as a mother of a special needs child, nine-year-old Trinity Etor.
“Having a special needs child, I understand the challenges and the lack of understanding surrounding children with cerebral palsy, both in Nigeria and globally.”
She emphasized the pivotal role of consistent therapy in the healing process, urging government collaboration to provide essential medical assistance.
“We plead with the government to bridge the gap we have in access to quality care for these children.”
During the event, one of the partners supporting the initiative and organisers of Nigeria’s premier street food festival, Sabi Chef called on the government to initiate protective legislation for cerebral palsy patients and their caregivers.
Sabi Chef also wants a special education and care fund to be established for children suffering from the condition.
Represented by Lawrence Oni, Head of Digital Media for Sabi Chef, expressed happiness about the partnership and the unveiling disclosing that the move “is a significant step for us.”
Meanwhile, Ogbidi indicted the government over its attitude toward Cerebral Palsy, saying that they only pay attention to blind, deaf and handicap disabilities but not children with special needs.
“Our foundation aims to break the stigma surrounding cerebral palsy and alleviate the pain experienced by parents.”
The launch also witnessed poignant testimonials from parents, care givers and individuals living with cerebral palsy.
Mrs. Oluwatoyin Adejobi, whose son has thrived despite his condition, emphasized the importance of parental support and societal acceptance. “Don’t discriminate against them. As parents, we have a lot to do,” she urged, while calling for government attention to alleviate financial burdens on therapy.
Echoing these sentiments, Olamide Kupe, a cerebral palsy patient turned business administration graduate, highlighted the transformative power of therapy. “Therapy is the best medication to help children with cerebral palsy get better,” Kupe said.