Disabled children get standing frames at Evander Hospital for Mandela Day
The parents were thankful for the frames and said it will definitely help their children that can mostly just lay down or sit.
EVANDER – The staff of Evander Hospital gave back to their patients on Thursday, 18 July on Mandela Day by giving five children with Cerebral Palsy, the opportunity to stand.
Ms Gené Symonds-Kleinsmidt, chief occupational therapist at Evander Hospital, said they raised money to buy 20 standing frames.
She said standing frames are generally expensive when bought commercially, costing up to R10 000 per frame.
Ms Symonds-Kleinsmidt came across an organisation, Sukumani Dream, that manufactures low cost standing frames by simultaneously supporting skills of the disabled community in manufacturing these frames.
A donation of R150 per frame is required.
Staff of Evander Hospital, hospital board members, family, friends and professionals in the Highveld area, raised enough money to obtain 20 frames.
Five children received their frames on Mandela Day while others will receive theirs as soon as they are ready.
“These children cannot walk or talk. These frames will enable them to stand supported and engage in everyday activities at home,” said Ms Symonds-Kleinsmidt.
The health professionals at Evander Hospital have walked a path with most of these children since they were born.
Ms Symonds-Kleinsmidt said Evander Hospital health professionals are passionate about treating children with neurological impairments and aims to give them equal opportunities as those of normal developing children.
“These standing frames will help with the development and integrity of their muscles and their interaction with others and the environment.”
The chief executive officer of Evander Hospital, Mr Janky Aphane, also attended the handover function and said his goal is to make a positive impact on the health and well-being of all people.
He referred to his staff as movers and shakers and said the parents of these children are heroes.
“They did not plan to give birth to a disabled child, but adapted their lives, circumstances and environments to suit the needs of the child and ensure that they are fully immersed in society
“Some younger parents have chosen to abandon their disabled children, but the parents here have raised above adversity and supported their children in many positive ways.
“We do not consider these children as disabled but rather as a child living with a disability.
“The intention of the frames are to offer them ample opportunity to develop,” said Mr Aphane.
The parents were thankful for the frames and said it will definitely help their children that can mostly just lay down or sit.
In addition to raise money for the 20 standing frames, the Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa (OTASA) challenged its members to support this initiative.
The additional money raised will go to the Sukumani Dream to support their vision of manufacturing low cost frames which are affordable and accessible to the community.
