Cerebral Palsy parents exposed to physiotherapy training

Accra, June 7, GNA - Mrs Lydia Bedwei, Mother of Farida Bedwei, a successful IT Entrepreneur with Cerebral Palsy (CP) has advised parents of children with the disorder, to learn to exercise patience in caring for them.

She also advised parents to learn the various types of physiotherapy done with their children by professionals and inculcate it into their daily lives.

She emphasised the need to involve the whole family in the therapy programmes.

Mrs Bedwei said this at a workshop oraganised for more than 30 parents with CP children to enable them learn the basics of physiotherapy and encourage networking among them.

The workshop organised by Sharecare Ghana, an association of people with autoimmune and neurological conditions, in collaboration with the Special Mothers Project, an advocacy programme on CP. It also serves as a skill learning platform for professionals and parents to interact.

CP is a non-progressive neurological disorder caused by brain injury or malformation while the child's brain is developing. CP affects body movement, muscle control, muscle co-ordination, and sometimes the speech of the child.

Mrs Bedwei said: 'Sometimes it is good to take your mind of result and work with the children as if you are doing it for God, know that the child is part of you and after a long time light shines.'

She also advised parents with CP children to build a routine, like therapy time, feeding time, sleep time, etc for them.

She explained that it helps the children as well as the parents to have an independent life.

Another aim of the programme, which was supported by Diligent Care Services, a UK-based organisation passionate about helping parents of children with CP in Ghana and the Accra Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic, was to empower parents with knowledge on CP and equip them to manage their children have an enhanced life,

Mr Augustine Acquah, Physiotherapist at the Accra Physiotherapy Clinic, took the parents through basic and practical physiotherapy techniques that could be done at home.

A dietician, Ms Ruth Nyarko also educated parents on the right combination of nutritious food to feed children with CP.

The programme offered a platform for parents of children with CP to network and share experiences.

GNA