Empower Disabled Children & Mothers in Rural India

CASE study

During this period, we carried out home visits to support the ongoing rehabilitation of children with disabilities and to strengthen community engagement. We collaborated with local community leaders to raise awareness about our services and promote the inclusion of children with disabilities in local development initiatives. Additionally, we reached out to families of children with irregular attendance to highlight the importance ase Story

SB, a 4-year-old child with cerebral palsy, lives with his parents in Krishnagar village under Nandigram Block of Purba Medinipur District. According to medical reports, SB did not cry immediately after birth and had a low birth weight of 1.7 kg. The lack of oxygen at birth led to asphyxia, resulting in brain damage and subsequent cerebral palsy. He also suffers from epilepsy and is currently under medical treatment. 

SB comes from a nuclear family with limited financial means. His father works as a daily labourer, earning approximately Rs. 5,000 per month. At the age of two, SB was brought to Asha Bhavan Centre in Panskura. At that time, he had limited motor abilities—he could control his head, roll over, and was learning to crawl. He could make some sounds but was fully dependent on his mother for all daily activities including eating, drinking, toileting, bathing, and washing. His mother, Saraswati, was unsure about his condition and had come seeking medical help.

Following a detailed assessment, the rehabilitation team at Asha Bhavan Centre initiated a comprehensive management plan tailored to SB specific needs. This included therapeutic intervention, training in preschool skills, and regular monitoring and updating of his progress and goals.

Current Progress:

Today, SB has made significant developmental gains:

He can crawl when needed and reach out with both hands.

He is able to maintain a squatting position without support.

With the help of special footwear (A.F.O.), he can stand with support and has begun walking with assistance.

He can now eat solid foods like biscuits and drink water from a glass independently.

He has developed speech and can say a few words such as “Baba,” “Maa,” and “Dada.”

He is toilet trained, able to indicate his needs, and uses the toilet in a squatting position, although he still needs help with washing afterwards.

He continues to be dependent for brushing and face washing, but he enjoys bathing and actively participates by following instructions.

SB can now identify familiar objects and enjoys playing with his peers.

His mother, Saraswati, has undergone a remarkable transformation. Once confused and anxious, she is now confident, encouraged by the progress her son has made. She is hopeful that one day SB will be able to walk independently and attend a mainstream school. The family expresses heartfelt gratitude to Asha Bhavan Centre for their guidance, support, and continuous care in SB's journey toward independence and inclusion.

Concern India Foundation Support since: 1st April 2020

Reporting Period: 1st April 2024 to 30th September 2024

Location of the Project: Community Rehabilitation Centre, Balidangri, Panskura, Purba

Midnapore.

Beneficiaries: Target planned - 45,

Reached – 53 (M- 39, F-14)

Goal of the Program:

Enhancing the abilities of children with disabilities by providing rehabilitation services

through Community Rehabilitation Centre

Objectives of the program:

To enhance the capacity of children by providing qualitative rehabilitation services.

To provide training for capacity building of the families and community to take care

their children within the community.

To involve the community through different programmes for socio-economic

rehabilitation.

To promote opportunity, participation and ensuring the rights of the Persons with

Disabilities (PWDs).

Background:

At the Panskura Community Rehabilitation Centre (CRC), a variety of services are offered, including physiotherapy, speech therapy, training for Activities of Daily Living (ADL), special education, and behavior modification training. Parents and family members also receive training to enhance their ability to support their children. This initiative, supported by ReJenga since April 1, 2020, operates under the CBR Division of Asha Bhavan Centre.

Originally serving children aged 2 to 14 years, the CBR program has expanded to include children as young as six months following comprehensive surveys and awareness campaigns. It primarily addresses the needs of children with locomotor disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, amputations, and congenital deformities. Physiotherapy is available for physical disabilities, while special education classes are typically offered to children with intellectual disabilities from the age of four. Children with multiple disabilities can access both physiotherapy and special education services.

In addition, the program aims to foster an inclusive environment for children with disabilities and to raise community awareness about disability rights. By engaging parents and other stakeholders, the initiative seeks to ensure the well-being and development of children with disabilities while also working to reduce preventable disabilities in the community.

Activities Conducted in Six months:

Activity 1: Assessment and profile making of children with disabilities

Activity Description: 

Rehabilitation therapists and special educators carried out assessments of children with disabilities, creating individual profile sheets for each child. These assessments provided the basis for developing personalized goals that considered the unique strengths and needs of every child.

Output:

During this time, we conducted assessments and reassessments for all 11 children with disabilities, creating detailed profiles for each. Based on the goals set for each child, our dedicated staff provided customized rehabilitation services to meet their individual needs and support their development.

Activity 2: Facilitate the physical development and self-help skills development of the children with disabilities.

Activity Description: 

Our rehabilitation therapists conduct therapeutic sessions and provide life skills training for children with disabilities. We emphasize the importance of active parental involvement in both the planning and implementation of individualized programs for each child. Additionally, for those who need aids and appliances to improve their daily living and mobility, we ensure these essential resources are provided promptly to support their rehabilitation and overall well-being.

Output: 

This period, we delivered 532 physiotherapy sessions and 196 life skills training sessions to 35 children with disabilities.

Activity 3: Special Education facility to Improve the cognitive & social skills of the children with disabilities

Activity Description: 

In this program, our dedicated special educators focus on enhancing the cognitive and social skills of children with intellectual disabilities and autism. We customize our special education interventions based on the unique needs identified through individual assessments. Our aim is to provide targeted support and education that helps these children develop their cognitive abilities and improve their social skills, fostering their overall growth and development.

Output:

The special education sessions play a vital role in enhancing children's cognitive abilities, facilitating their integration into mainstream schools. During this period, we conducted a total of 274 special education sessions, along with an additional 264 sessions of basic speech therapy for 18 children with disabilities.

Activity 4: other support for inclusion 

Activity Description:

We also enrolled the children in the ongoing community development programme and facilities provided by government 

Output:

This empowered them to proactively solve problems that may arise during the course of the rehabilitation program, contributing to the overall success of their children's development and well-being.

Enrolled 14 children in NIRAMAYA Health Scheme,

24 no of children enrolled in Manabí Pension Scheme and receiving Rs. 1000 per months. 

28 children attend to Normal school.

25 children get Disability certificate. 

Activity 6: Community visit and home-based activities-monitoring programme.

Activity Description: 

During this period, we conducted home visits to support ongoing rehabilitation and engaged community leaders to raise awareness about our services. These visits helped include children with disabilities in local development programs. We also met with families of irregular attendees to emphasize the importance of consistent participation and motivate them to engage.

Output:

In this period we made 36 community and home visit and from this home visit specially 5 new children enrolled in this center and receiving the rehabilitation services as per their needs. 

Case Story

Sk. Samidul, a child with Cerebral Palsy, first came to our community center in Panskura at the age of 5. He lives in Joyramchak, a village about 25 kilometers away, with his parents and four siblings. When he arrived at our center, he struggled to sit properly and could reach for objects but was unable to manipulate them. He was entirely dependent on caregivers for daily living activities.

Now, at 13 years old, Samidul has made significant progress thanks to ongoing physiotherapy and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) management training. He can walk with elbow crutches, grasp and release various objects with both hands, and manipulate items effectively. He can communicate in full sentences, recognize familiar objects and their uses, eat independently, and manage toileting on his own. He has gained the ability to perform all daily living activities without assistance.

As Samidul has grown heavier and lives far from the center, his parents have found it increasingly challenging to make regular visits. However, they are committed to following up on his progress. Through consistent interaction and training, Samidul's mother has gained a better understanding of his needs and is eager to manage his rehabilitation program at home.