Njeri Maria Foundation Objectives include
1. Awareness Creation and Advocacy
Cerebral palsy is one of the most common childhood impairments with 17 million people with cerebral palsy in the world and an estimated 60,000 people with cerebral palsy in Kenya.
In every 1000 children born 3- 4 have cerebral palsy.Yet the condition is still the most misunderstood condition which results in frequent misdiagnosed and inaccurate intervention. Much awareness is required to properly accommodate people with the condition.
Cerebral palsy is a neuro-developmental condition caused by lack of oxygen to the brain that impairs the muscles and nervous system. The word “cerebral” refers to the brain’s cerebrum, which is the part of the brain that regulates motor function. “Palsy” describes the paralysis of voluntary movement in certain parts of the body. Cerebral Palsy can happen before birth, during birth or after birth, usually before the age of five years.
Cerebral Palsy has various levels of severity and also co-existing conditions. There are four main types of cerebral palsy:
- Spastic-which compises of most common cases,
- Athetoid/Dyskinetic,
- Ataxic
- Mixed.
Cerebral palsy does not have any cure yet however, it is non-progressive and does not
affect an individual’s life expectancy. Almost all individuals with cerebral palsy have challenges with muscles, movement and posture depending on the type and severity , some also have some level of intellectual, visual impairment, hearing and speech impairment, and other medical disorders.
Several factors such as how the condition is managed,access to rehabilitative services and assistive devices, a child’s motor skills can improve or decline over time. While symptoms and severity vary from individual to individual, anyone with this condition can live a rich, fulfilling life.
Awareness in The Family
We provide families with the knowledge about their child’s condition to support them in their acceptance journey. We alter traditional beliefs, stereotypes and mentalities from our diverse cultures and communities which are misleading to the families’ response to their child.
Awareness in the family leads up to Acceptance through the provision of psychosocial support to facilitate Accommodation and Social Inclusion.
We host Counseling Psychologists to facilitate awareness and acceptance programs with the immediate caregivers – mothers, siblings and external caregivers.
We host Counseling Psychologists to facilitate programs with the immediate caregivers – mothers, siblings and external caregivers.
Awareness in The Society
We provide knowledge to people who live with other people with different abilities. We ensure there is conscious interaction, instructing on how to manage cerebral palsy, accepting the condition, and working to improve the situation. Over 15% of the Society is people with different abilities yet Stigma and discrimination is still evident in the community. Our society categorizes children with different abilities with negative mentalities, cultural and religious beliefs.
Through our awareness and professional training programs in schools, churches, government institutions and corporate institutions, We provide a platform that ensures a conscious interaction, instructing on how to manage cerebral palsy, accepting the condition, and working to improve the situation through demystifying these mentalities by defining and demonstrating inclusion.
Inclusion everyday targeting to:
● Engage over 100 education institutions in Kikuyu Constituency.
● Engage faith based organizations and congregations.
● Engage the community on different levels.
2. Early Interventions
Njeri Maria Foundation believes that, the earlier the diagnosis is made, the earlier intensive intervention is conducted equals better prevention and treatment. This is evident with Njeri Maria, the founder who is a beneficiary for early intervention.
However, in our society the first years of a child with cerebral palsy are the isolated years. This is before the family accepts the condition, the critical symptoms are managed and caregivers seek the right information and interventions. The first five years are the most important years for the child.
We provide early intervention which includes:
● Early assessments targeting infants and children below 5 years.
● Professional advice according to the condition targeting how to stimulate development, how to manage and cope with the specific conditions.
● Information on adaptive, accessible devices and programmes.
● Monitoring and evaluation as the child’s progress.
We are looking for more partnerships and friends of Njeri Maria foundation to reach more children and adults with cerebral palsy as well as continue simplifying the access of early intervention services for families.
The appeal for Partnerships for this initiative is ongoing. Njeri Maria Foundation kindly appreciates all contributions towards providing Therapy Services for the children who can’t afford and access in Kikuyu Constituency.
Therapy Project
Therapy is a key component of early intervention towards advancing the lives of children and adults with cerebral palsy. Through diverse therapy fosters functionality, mobility, fitness, and independence. Therapy varies based on each individual’s unique needs, type of Cerebral Palsy, extent of impairment and associative conditions. Therapy can also help parents and caregivers foster functional and independence skills.
The accessibility and affordability of therapy services in Kikuyu Constituency is a major challenge for families with children with cerebral palsy. Due to this,many children do not get the right treatment to achieve their milestones and the expenses keep parents at bay. Recently, Njeri Maria Foundation In Partnership with Special Education Professionals started a therapy project in february 2020 as part of the Early Intervention in Thogoto, Kikuyu.
The Therapy Project serves children and adults with different impairments– It serves the residents of Kikuyu Constituency with access to therapy services at no cost at all. The project also covers the provision of assessments, assistive devices, home therapy programs and empowerment workshops.
We are looking for more partnerships and friends of Njeri Maria foundation to establish a Therapy Center enabling us to reach more children and adults with cerebral palsy as well as continue simplifying the access of therapy services for families.
The collection of Partnerships for this initiative is ongoing. Njeri Maria Foundation kindly appreciates all contributions towards providing Therapy Services for the children who can’t afford and access in Kikuyu Constituency.
3. Support system
Njeri Maria Foundation is a Leading Support and Resources Centre for children and adults with Cerebral palsy. We work through collaborative efforts with a vast network of various professionals willing to assist people and families with cerebral palsy.
We facilitate support systems that assist the individual with cerebral palsy and the family emotionally, financially, mentally and physically through various programs.
The Support Programs include:
- Referrals and networks that provide support and resources.
- Counseling and Psychological support for the person with cerebral palsy and their families.
- Financial support through funding of basic requirements- food, medicine, shelter, assistive equipment, therapy and school.
Parents play an important role in the development of their child, the acceptance and accommodation is a determinant of the child’s progress and outcome. They mostly require assurance and encouragement that there is help, progress and a positive aspect of having a child with cerebral palsy. Our support systems programs ensure platforms
– Through a parents forum where they get to talk, share and exchange between other parents with children with cerebral palsy. Parents also get to engage in economic and social activities.
– Through workshops where information about cerebral palsy is circulated. We teach them professionally about their child and related conditions. We empower parents with knowledge and skills to help their children.
– Through support groups for children and parents; this is a platform to have people with cerebral palsy to share experiences, exchanging information and talking, socializing and supporting each other.
The collection of Funds for the initiative is ongoing. Njeri Maria Foundation kindly appreciates all contributions and partnerships towards providing the necessary support systems for children and adults with Cerebral Palsy and their families.