Thembeka is a 10-year-old girl with cerebral palsy and lives with her mother in a small house with two rooms. Her father has left the family. Apart from child benefit for a disabled child, there is no income. When Thembeka was admitted to the Ndlovu Care Group’s rehabilitation center in 2018, she had problems stretching her limbs. She was unable to compensate for fluctuations in her balance. As a result, Thembeka was constantly afraid of falling. She did not dare to explore her environment and move around. As a result, she could not sit, crawl or stand safely, even with support. Her cognitive abilities were also underdeveloped and she could only maintain a sitting position for short periods of time.
After 7 months of occupational therapy at the center, Thembeka is now able to crawl a longer distance; she can move from the floor to a small chair that she uses. She is able to sit and crawl independently, but needs support to stand and walk.
Sensory stimulation achieves great success with Thembeka
The sensory room in particular is essential for Thembeka’s development. The sensory stimulation that is possible in this room is very successful. Colorful lights and tactile variety are the main features of the room. Thembeka can already sit up and stand for a while at the large glass column, in which air bubbles rise in the water and which changes color. She is now able to stay upright for up to 30 minutes. Therapist Erik explains that this is extremely important in order to build up muscles in the legs. Any further success then builds on this.
She is currently unable to speak, but thanks to the cognitive stimulation sessions, she can hear and follow minimal instructions. She is now able to distinguish between different colors.
Thanks to Energetix Bingen and many other supporters, help is also possible during the lockdown
The work at the rehabilitation center is largely supported by our supporters at Energetix Bingen. Thanks to this financial support, it was possible to maintain the program for disabled children even during the lockdown. Although the facilities had to be closed, the therapists traveled to the children’s homes in turn. There, the therapeutic activities were continued and adapted to the circumstances at home.
Thembeka’s beaming smile thanks
This form of treatment is free of charge for the families. It is only thanks to the support of the many committed people who contribute financially that children like Thembeka can be given a future worth living. Thembeka’s story is just one of the 44 children who are currently being sponsored and supported. The intensive, high-quality activities are paying off. Thanks to the motor-sensory stimulation therapy, Thembeka is finally relaxed and feels good. Her smile makes everyone smile.
See it for yourself on our YouTube channel.
More reports on this topic:
Day of People with Disabilities – Not everything is visible!
Opening of the second rehabilitation center for disabled children and young people
