National Disability Rights Awareness Month is commemorated annually from November 3 to December 3.
One local organisation involved in caring for people with disabilities is the Vita Nova Centre in Daggafontein.
The centre caters for children and adults with physical and mental disabilities.
At the helm of the centre is director Michelle Immelman, who has worked at Vita Nova for 20 years.
The Advertiser spoke to her about the centre and its role in taking care of the most vulnerable in society.
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What are some of the challenges you and the other staff members face?
“Right now it’s mainly financial. With the lockdown we haven’t been able to raise funds like we usually do, but luckily we still have donors,” said Immelman.
“Another challenge is that some of our residents, who have parents, haven’t seen them in a while but we do video calls, which helps a lot.”
For whom does the centre cater?
“We take care of people with physical and mental disabilities, from the age of three. They battle Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other disorders.
“They stay here permanently and we provide them with a range of services which ensure they have a high quality of life.”
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What services does the centre provide?
“We give our residents stimulation activities and water therapy. There is also a workshop where they can work a little bit and keep busy.
“They also receive basic education, with teachers coming in every second week. We also have a gym so they can exercise and remain fit and healthy.
“It’s wonderful to see these services make a change in their lives. A lot of the times when they do these activities they will laugh and smile which brings me a lot of joy.”
What makes Vita Nova unique?
“We take in children as well as adults. Most centres like ours only take in adults.”
What are some misconceptions people have about the disabled?
“I think many people are afraid to talk to them because they don’t understand them. People should try and gain an understanding about people with certain disabilities.
“People should know that even if they don’t get a response from them, there is still a human being in there and that they are listening and they understand what you are telling them.”
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