A breakthrough therapy for the disabled
THERE is hope for children with cerebral palsy at a treatment centre in Rivonia.
The SA Institute for Scotson Therapy is a registered non-profit organisation dedicated to providing disabled children with the chance of a more normal development. Adi de Hoop, a passionate activist for the rights of cerebral palsy children will be heading the centre.
Her 12-year-old daughter, Nimoe was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and has steadily improved with the Scotson technique.
De Hoop said her daughter was still showing signs of improvement. De Hoop’s dream is for the Scotson technique to be accessible across South Africa to all children with brain damage. “The therapy consists of very gentle and controlled breathing exercises,” she explained.
There are currently plans to teach blind South African women from disadvantaged backgrounds to instruct parents on how to perform the Scotson technique on their children. “The blind have a heighted sense of touch and that is why it would be ideal to have them perform the technique and teach others,” said de Hoop. She added that this would be a good initiative for job creation in the country. “The work of these women could be the starting point for empowerment of the community, especially communities affected by dire poverty and lack of access to such important services,” she said.
The Scotson Technique is the brain child of UK mother, Linda Scotson who also has a child with cerebral palsy. “Her determination to find a better future for her son, led her through years of research, culminating in the completion of a PhD thesis at the University College London,” said de Hoop.
Details: scotsontechniquesa@gmail.com or www.advancecentres.com.
