Knitting and crocheting are popular activities among both men and women at Epilepsy SA’s Free State North West Centre in Parys. They love it and can do it for hours.
Therefore, when the centre recently ran out of wool, it was a disaster in terms of ensuring the residents did not get bored. During the lockdown, in particular, there has been special atten- tion to ensuring that residents are meaningfully engaged in activities that stimulate them.
But, only one appeal on Facebook saw an overwhelming outpouring of love, says the centre director, Gary Westwood. “We received donations of wool locally and even a person from overseas deposited money so we could buy wool. The residents were overjoyed at the response!”
Gary explains that many of the residents do not understand why they cannot receive visitors, go on their weekly trip to town or, for some, why their cigarettes have been limited so drastically. “This is new and as strange to them as it is to us all.”
Epilepsy SA in Parys cares for 80 persons with various disabilities.
The centre follows the Eden Alternative to traditional care. They focus on genuine human care coming first, and then medical treatment. The Eden Alternative aims to prevent the three plagues of residential living – loneliness, helplessness and boredom.
To continue addressing loneliness, the centre has made free internet available so residents can video call their relatives. Some family members are as far afield as China and Australia, but mainly family who cannot visit during the lockdown.
“To counter helplessness, we have taught stronger residents to help care for weaker residents, particularly with handwashing, opening a games room, and keeping them active through gardening.” The overwhelming support from the community has greatly reduced the anxiety of caring for people with disabilities at this time, says Gary. “The response to our mask project brought in over R59,000 for food and other essentials. We have received support through cash donations, groceries, vegetables, homemade soup, hand sanitiser, blankets, and clothing.
“We still have a long way to go through the journey of this pandemic. With support from an ever-caring community, we know we are not alone in caring and this is great reassurance!”
We still need support with all the previously mentioned items, but particularly kids’ puzzles, educational toys, colouring-in books, crayons and children’s reading books to stimulate our weaker residents. If you can help, drop your donation at the centre gate, or call Hubre on 072 093 2862 to arrange for pick-up.
