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Monica, a young Ghanaian woman, faces significant challenges raising her son, Michael, who has cerebral palsy. Saddened by his condition, Monica has to perform all his daily tasks, such as brushing his teeth, bathing, and feeding him. This constant care puts an immense strain on her. Initially, an unnamed woman helped Monica arrange for some therapy at home, but due to financial constraints, she had to discontinue it. Frequent visits to the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital became financially unsustainable, and the advice to see a neurologist proved too expensive. This left Monica to manage Michael’s care alone. Michael’s communication is minimal. He barely responds to inquiries and cannot express preferences for food or other choices. Occasionally, he tries to recite numbers and the alphabet with his mother, making a considerable effort when he is in a good mood. On other days, he does not participate at all. Monica has been trying to enroll him in a speech therapy program but has not been successful. Constantly carrying Michael has taken a toll on Monica’s health. She experiences waist pains and other complications, worsened by the lack of a car and funds for transportation. Monica lamented that Michael has not had therapy or medication for a long time because she used to pay the therapist GhS100 per session, an expense she can no longer afford. Her last visit to the hospital emphasized the need for therapy, as Michael was unresponsive. Monica noted that he shows improvement with consistent therapy sessions. Despite these hardships, Monica remains dedicated to her son’s well-being. She realizes that therapy significantly benefits Michael and hopes to resume it as soon as possible. Her story highlights the challenges faced by parents of children with special needs and underscores the urgent need for accessible healthcare and financial support for families like hers.

Edwenase is a nurturing facility for children and persons with special needs, where they are engaged in vocational skills training, including mat making, shoemaking, hairdressing, and dressmaking. We spoke to some of the dedicated facilitators at this remarkable housing facility to understand their challenges and joys in teaching these children. The dressmaking facilitator has been working at Edwenase for nearly 16 years. The hairdressing facilitator has been there for 17 years, while the shoemaking facilitator will mark his fourth year by November. Despite their long-term commitment, these facilitators face significant challenges, primarily due to limited tools and equipment necessary for training the children. The scarcity of materials and funds further aggravates the situation, making it difficult to sustain the vocational programs. They noted that access to industrial machines could greatly enhance productivity, allowing for large-scale operations. Teaching Challenges Teaching children with special needs comes with unique challenges. Facilitators often take more than a month to teach topics that would typically take 1-2 weeks. Some have even used their own money to buy machines for the children to ensure the continuity of the training programs. Communication is another major hurdle. For children unable to speak, facilitators use sign language, but their proficiency is limited, and only educated children can understand it. The uneducated ones rely on lip-reading or hand gestures to communicate. Joys and Rewards Despite these challenges, the facilitators find immense joy and satisfaction in their work. One facilitator expressed his love for teaching the kids and seeing them grasp new skills. Another mentioned the joy she feels every morning and even during vacations when she sees the kids. She revealed that with patience, the children master their skills. She further revealed that most of her outfits are sewn by the kids themselves. A fashion designer at the facility teaches the children bead making, turning them into bracelets, waist beads, neckpieces, and bags. She uses sign language to deliver her lessons and finds fulfillment in helping and working with children with special needs, especially knowing that some people discriminate against them. An empowerment ground with limitations Edwenase home for children with special needs stands to inspire hope and empower them. The facilitators’ dedication and patience in teaching vocational skills to these children are commendable. However, the challenges they face, particularly in terms of resources and communication, need urgent attention. By addressing these issues, we can ensure that children at Edwenase continue to learn, grow, and gain skills they need to lead productive and fulfilling lives.

Felicia Boamah, mother to young Divine, is deeply saddened by her son’s condition—cerebral palsy. She discovered Divine’s condition when he was six months old and noticed he could neither sit  nor walk. This was a shock, especially since her first child, a daughter, was born without any disorders. Upon seeking medical advice, Felicia was referred to a physiotherapist, which has since become a routine. Divine communicates his needs through cries and sounds. If he doesn’t make a sound in response to a request, it means he doesn’t need what is offered, whether it be food, water, or anything else. Sometimes, his sounds signal that he is tired and wants to change positions. Despite the physiotherapist’s advice not to worry, Felicia found it challenging to cope. She even considered quitting her job to care for Divine full-time. Public outings were difficult due to the stares they received, which made Divine uncomfortable and often angry. He avoids going to church but sometimes enjoys being outside or even accompanying his mother to work. Felicia has grown accustomed to the stares and is now convinced that God knows why she finds herself in this predicament. Financially, she has managed without support, relying on her faith for provision. Her main concern remains Divine’s inability to walk. However, Divine’s expressive sounds and his playful nature bring her joy and hope. His laughter, even after a fall, lightens her heart and strengthens her resolve. Felicia’s greatest wish for her son is to see him walk. She has seen videos on TikTok of children with similar conditions using wheelchairs, but they are often imported and scarce. Moreover, Divine is considered too young for a wheelchair. The physiotherapist has played a key role in Divine’s progress, offering encouragement and support. Felicia initially hesitated to have more children, but their presence has provided Divine with playmates who make him smile and boost his energy. Felicia urges other parents of children with special needs to ignore negative comments and pray for the strength to care for their children. She hopes for help in enabling Divine to walk, talk, and engage in playful activities like his siblings. Her steadfast love and dedication to her son serve as an inspiring demonstration of an optimistic mother who would go lengths to see her son recover.