It is estimated that about 17 million people are living with Cerebral Palsy (CP) across the world.
World Cerebral Palsy Day which is commemorated on October 5 seeks to raise awareness about this condition which is widely misunderstood. According to worldcpday.org, “CP is a complex, lifelong disability. It primarily affects movement, but people with CP may also have visual, learning, hearing, speech, epilepsy, and intellectual impairments.”
MED Attorneys commemorated the day with children at the Ratanang Group for Children with Disabilities at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. The law firm commemorated the day by throwing a party which brought smiles to the faces of the children who are suffering from CP. Addressing children and staff during the celebration, Kagiso Mokoduo from MED Attorneys said the day was not only about remembering children who have this condition. “Today we remember care givers who take care of these children.
We also pay tribute to mothers who are sometimes forced to leave employment in order to take care of children with CP,” said Mokoduo.
Ratanang was established in 1994 with an aim of providing care for children with multiple disabilities and act as a support group centre for mothers as well. Today the centre takes care of 40 children from across Soweto and surrounding areas. “We just wanted to make the day special for the children and staff to enjoy themselves.
It is not the duty of government alone to do something for these kids. As business people we have to come to the party and make our contribution as well,” said Mokodou. The contribution Mokodou is talking about is not limited to hosting a party for the children but extends to helping the centre with other essentials like heaters to keep the kids warm in winter. It is not easy taking care of children living with CP but with support from companies like MED Attorneys it becomes less of a challenge. That’s according to Theresia Ralintja who manages Ratanang.
“Today is a special day because we are not celebrating but we get to make the community aware of people living with CP and their needs,” said Ralintja. She encouraged all mothers who are raising children with CP to support each other and embrace their children.
