By: Tunde Akanbi, Ilorin
Nigeria recently joined the rest of the world to commemorate this year’s World Cerebral Palsy Day on October 6.
Parents of children living with the condition in Kwara State have expressed deep concern over persistent societal stigma and neglect.
Speaking at an event held at the Ministry of Social Development in Ilorin, the parents told journalists that current socio-economic challenges had worsened the situation.
They lamented that their children faced increasing neglect and discrimination, both in schools and within their communities.
According to a parent, Mrs. Afolabi Jumoke, “It’s not easy carrying and taking these children out. We want the state government to take full responsibility of physiotherapy treatment of these children.
“They use diapers and drugs they take are quite expensive. Most private schools don’t take the kids,” she said.
Also, Mrs. Olubunmi Aina said their children are being rejected in private schools.
She added that the victims of cerebral palsy also suffer rejection at public places like barbing salons and restaurants, among many others.
“Giving birth to this child has brought me closer to God. I’ve turned a barber because of him. Many Barbing salons won’t do his hair. Many people refuse to do their hair… as if it’s contagious.
“It’s not easy taking care of the education cost of these children. We call for financial support from the government. We actually want the state government to provide all expenses, paid education for cerebral palsy children. Many of us parents have left our tangible jobs to concentrate on full care of these children. We don’t want to be locking them up inside our homes,” she pleaded.
Consequently, they implored the state to come to their rescue by subsidising the needed drugs for their children and embark on public awareness to check stigma.
Speaking earlier, the state government enjoined all to treat children battling deformities arising from cerebral palsy with understanding, respect, and equal opportunities.
The commissioner for social development, Dr. Mariam NnaFatima Imam posited that cerebral palsy victims deserve understanding, respect, and equal opportunity, saying that the day reminds all “not only of the challenges faced by our champions, but also of their strength, resilience, and extraordinary potential.
“Cerebral palsy is not a limitation of the human spirit. It is a call for understanding, inclusion, and shared responsibility. It urges us to look beyond disability and see ability; to look beyond challenges and recognize possibility,” she stated.
Imam noted that the government has ensured that no one is left behind. “Every child, regardless of physical or developmental differences, deserves the chance to live with dignity, to learn, to play, and to dream freely,” she added.
According to her, the ministry has enrolled some people living with cerebral palsy in the state’s Health Insurance Scheme to ensure they have access to quality healthcare.
“We have also equipped parents and guardians with refined, income-generating skills in tie and dye, resin artistry, and POS enterprise management, further complemented by financial support designed to help them transform these skills into sustainable, independent and thriving ventures,” she stressed.
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The convener, Ifeoluwa Anishe who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Ifeoluwa Cerebral Palsy Initiative, described the day as a moment of hope and unity.
He called for the inclusion of adults living with cerebral palsy in the political space. “They deserve inclusion, dignity, and equal opportunities,” he said.
The CEO of Toomore school for basic, vocational and special needs, Rev. Samuel Ajayi commended the state government and the convener.
He said he learned a lot that would enable him improve in running his charity school.
Dr. Sholagbade Rasheedat from the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH,) also gave a lecture on the reasons for cerebral palsy, its management and prevention.