Social Affairs Ministry Accords Attention to Cerebral Palsy Patients

DAMASCUS, (ST) – The Social Affairs Ministry on Wednesday held a ceremony to honor students from al-Nour Institute for Children and Special Education Institute for Adults.

The said institutes  are treating patients with Cerebral Palsy.

Dr. Kinda al-Shammat , the Social Affairs Minister, toured  the said  institutes.

 “the  Ministry will do its utmost to improve services provided to people with special needs the ministry-affiliated institutes ,” al-Shammat told reporters.

” the Ministry is reconsidering laws on disabilities and working to prepare legislations that will have a positive impact on people with special needs, in addition to studying the possibility of expanding financial aid given to families of cerebral palsy patients, “underscored al-Shammat.

Rana al-Dahhan, the Special Education Institute Director ,clarified that the institute provides treatment, education and vocational training to 40 patients, in addition to free medical services.

Nada Abu al-Shamat ,the Director of al-Nour Institute Director , said that the establishment caters to 70 children up to the age of 12, employing an early intervention program, physical therapy, intellectual development, and training courses for families to communicate with their disabled children correctly. The institute course also includes life skills treatment  and speech therapy.

It is worth noting that cerebral palsy is  an umbrella term that refers to a group of disorders affecting a person’s ability to move .It is a permanent life-long condition ,but generally does not worsen over time .It is due to damage to the developing brain either during pregnancy or shortly after birth.

Cerebral palsy affects people in different ways and can affect body movement, muscle, control, muscle coordination, muscle tone ,reflex ,posture and balance.

Cerebral palsy is not contagious and no link with hereditary.

People who have cerebral palsy may also have visual, learning, hearing, speech, epilepsy and intellectual impairment.

R.Sawas