The Nation Newspaper

Tag: cerebral palsy

  • Persons with cerebral palsy seek more inclusion

    Persons with cerebral palsy seek more inclusion

    Iyaniwura Children Care Foundation (ICCF) has held a campaign, ‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness, a community approach to Climate Change’, to raise awareness on vulnerability of persons with cerebral palsy to climate change.

    The campaign formed part of activities to mark World Cerebral Palsy Day.

    Project Coordinator, Mrs. Olajumoke Otitoloju, said World Cerebral Palsy Day challenges misconceptions about disability, and emphasise the potential individuals with cerebral palsy possess.

     She noted with over 17 million worldwide living with cerebral palsy, this year highlights the achievements and abilities in the community.

    Mrs. Otitoloju urged parents and guardians to give their affected children opportunities and support, emphasising their disability should not be a hindrance to their potential.

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    She said taking part in such initiatives fosters understanding and appreciation of their capabilities.

    Otitoloju  called on the government to support these persons through employment.

     She said: “While the state law mandates a five per cent employment quota, the authorities should strive for greater inclusion. Government can support them because there are graduates among them.

     “Disability is in stages, there is the mild and moderate, with some able to do things themselves, and only a few suffering severe disability. Even then they have the emotional intelligence to know when people are around them, they show love, they smile at you when you look at them

     “We also implore government to employ more special teachers to support their colleagues to learn about disability. It is not just about teaching or having a special education teacher, but having teachers to teach with emotional intelligence and empathy. We must have that emotional intelligence among teachers and counsellors. We also want the government to ensure their social participation in terms of transportation, protection, etc.” she said.

     Deborah Ojuade, who has cerebral palsy, stressed importance of breaking stereotypes, saying disability does not limit their strength.

     She said: “We need an inclusive, accessible environment for education, employment.”

  • Mother raises the alarm over alleged threat to life of cerebral palsy child

    Mother raises the alarm over alleged threat to life of cerebral palsy child

    Mrs. Akinyetun has raised a serious alarm over alleged threats to the life of her child, Akinyetun Precious Samuel Temilade, a minor living with cerebral palsy, following sustained harassment and threats reportedly coming from family relatives.

    According to a formal report, Mrs. Akinyetun alleged that one Oluwaseun John Akinyetun, alongside other family members, has been persistently pressuring her to release her son for a ritual purpose.

    The child, a male diagnosed with cerebral palsy, suffers from a neurological condition affecting movement and muscle tone, resulting from damage to the developing brain during early infancy.

    Mrs. Akinyetun stated that upon her refusal to comply with the alleged ritual demand, the family members began issuing threats, including warnings that both she and her child would be killed if they did not leave their community.

    As a result of these alleged threats, Mrs. Akinyetun said she was forced to relocate from her former residence at No. 90 Shokenu Road, Ijaye, Abeokuta, Ogun State, to No. 2, Bolanle Buraimo Close, Igoke Estate, Lagos, in an effort to safeguard her life and that of her child.

    However, she further alleged that even after relocating to Lagos, the same family membersreportedly traced her location and continued to insist that she must allow the ritual to be carried out on her son. She claims that the threats to kill both mother and child have continued unabated.

    Mrs. Akinyetun is appealing to relevant authorities, security agencies, child protection organizations, and human rights bodies to intervene and ensure the safety of her child.

    She stated that she is living in constant fear and is deeply concerned about the well-being and survival of her son.

    She called for immediate investigation into the matter and adequate protection for herself and her child.