Ramula stands behind her nine-year-old son Elijah, who is standing in his assistive device. She stretches her hands and holds his back making sure that he is comfortable. She cannot hide the smile on her face. “I am happy that Elijah will now be sitting comfortably on his own,” Ramula shares with us “ His back will be supported and he can now manage to stretch his legs.”
Elijah was diagnosed with cerebral palsy a few months after he was born. “We have been to so many hospitals, the doctors advised us to buy a wheelchair or a standing frame for Elijah, but we could not afford it. It was too expensive,” She says. “He has been laying down, which makes his back weak. But now he will be able to stand and stretch and I will be able to work.”
Elijah is among the thirty-eight children living with disabilities in Makindye Division who received wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, cerebral palsy chairs, and other assistive devices from child’s i Foundation to help them move in the world safely and independently.
Ms Susan Ajok, the Child’s i Foundation County Director said that the assistive devices are intended to make life a bit bearable for children living with disabilities in the division.
“Parents, especially mothers of children living with disabilities, spend a lot of time taking care of children, so we’re hoping that supporting them with these devices will make life a little more bearable. A mother will have a chance to pay attention to other things once the child with disability is in a chair other than carrying them all the time.” Ms Ajok shared.
Hawa, just like Amina also received a wheelchair for her nine-year-old daughter Rausa. Rausa too was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at seven years. “Today is a very special day for me and my child because we never expected this. Most of the things that I never expected to get for my child like a wheelchair have been given to me at no cost,” Hawa shared with us, “I never expected to get these shoes because they are too expensive for me to afford. Rausa will now be able to sit without support, and feed herself,”
