Special Adviser to the governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, on People with Disability, Mr. David Anyaele, has reaffirmed the preparedness of the government to ensure that access to quality education and healthcare services are enhanced to benefit children suffering from cerebral palsy, and other Persons with Disabilities.
Speaking in Umuahia, during The Straight Child Foundation special March edition of the Parent Support Group to mark year 2024 Cerebral Palsy awareness month, with the theme, ‘Being All That You Can Be,’ Mr. Anyaele, who observed that the society has made life difficult for PWDs, tying disability to a lot of factors to victimize, humiliate and isolate victims, tasked parents of children with CP to continue to create awareness and to support the government to ensure that stigmatization, discrimination, among other barriers, against their children are removed.
He pointed out that the dedication of 20 and 15 per cent of the budget to education and health respectively, did not only underscore government’s prioritization of the social sector and/but also aligned with the Governor Otti-led administration’s vision to ensure access to quality education and healthcare services for the citizens, including persons with cerebral palsy.
Anyaele narrated the challenges he faced when he lost his two hands and how he was able to combat and defeat the challenges, pointing out that disability is not about disadvantage, hence the need for parents to support their CP children to attain greater heights in life.
He said, “I must commend the TSCF for this cerebral palsy awareness event. Issues that have to do with cerebral palsy are silent in Abia State, Nigeria and in most countries. It is only when there is a forum like this that we will be able to escalate and give them and their parents the voice to share their experiences, so that the society will be able to understand approaches and best ways to support them.
“The outcome documents from this meeting should be shared with me to guide us in terms of areas of intervention, so that we will not implement amiss. I believe together we will be able to find solutions to some of these issues.”
Anyaele also disclosed that the wife of the governor of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, recently launched data capturing of PWDs in the state, aimed at having accurate data of people living with disabilities in the state and at the same time to embark on better plan for them so that nobody in the state is left behind.
He further reassured of the Otti administration’s commitment to promoting inclusive society, and making life easier for PWDs and their families.
Dr. Chidomere Roseann, Consultant Pediatrician/Child Neurologist, Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, who espoused and expounded the theme of Year 2024 CP awareness month, ‘What Do You See When You Look at Me: Look Closer, See Differently,’ encouraged parents on early detection and intervention, to enable the cerebral palsy child overcome the disability and actualize his or her potential in life.
She said since CP is a lifelong condition, the target of treatment is to manage the symptoms with the aim of minimizing the progressing disability, relieve pain, and maximize independence to achieve a long, healthy life.
Earlier in a remark, TSCF founder, Dr. Peace Amaraegbulam, who is a consultant orthopedic surgeon at the FMC, Umuahia, said that the month of March Cerebral Palsy Awareness offered parents of CP children, those living with it and citizens the avenue to come together to raise awareness and also show support for individuals living with cerebral palsy.
On why individuals and communities were encouraged to wear green – GoGreen4CP campaign – Dr. Amaraegbulam, explained that colour green symbolizes hope, growth, and renewal, reflecting the resilience and strength of individuals living with CP.
Mr. Dinichukwu Olise, a fourth year medical scholar at Gregory University, Uturu, who is also living with cerebral palsy, shared his success/motivational story during the event, which saw the nomination of the representatives of parents into TSCF CP awareness campaign; and also the distribution of gift items to children.
Cerebral palsy is a group of neurological disorders that affect movement, posture, and muscle coordination. It is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain, usually before birth. Individuals with CP may experience a range of symptoms, including muscle stiffness, weakness, and difficulties with balance and coordination.
While CP is a lifelong condition, early intervention and therapy can significantly improve quality of life and functional abilities.