Transforming Lives: Childhood Disability in Egypt
There are few places in Egypt where disabled children can
learn to cope with their disabilities. For the most part, families with disabled
children have little or no support, and the social stigma associated with
disability can leave families isolated from their communities.
With
most forms of disability, the appropriate therapy can make huge
improvements in behaviour, relieving the strain on the family,
and making it possible for the children to enter mainstream
society.
Islamic Relief's Early Intervention and Rehabilitation
Centre (EIRC) is one of the few places in Egypt where disabled
children can learn new skills and where their families can learn
to cope with having a disabled child.
Mariam
Mariam
was diagnosed deaf when she was nine months old. Her mother
Abeer didn't know how to handle the shock of having a disabled
child. "I would hide her because I was ashamed of the hearing
aids", she says.
Abeer turned to Islamic Relief's Early Intervention Rehabilitation
Centre for help, and there, Mariam was able to learn to speak,
read and write.
Amal
Mariam's
little sister, Amal, was also born deaf. This time Abeer was
better equipped to cope and Amal started attending IR's EIRC
project along with her older sister. Mariam now helps Amal understand
and pronounce words.
The centre has had a big effect on Abeer's confidence:
"I can support my children much better now, I know how
to cope with the difficulty of having disabled children. I feel
happy about my life, my husband and my children. The EIRC centre
has had a huge effect on me and my family.
I hope that both my daughters will one day join suitable schools
and receive a good education."
Ayah
Ayah
has multiple disabilities, she is deaf and suffers from mental
retardation. Her mother, Wafaa, had no hope she would ever be
able to speak or care for herself.
She began attending Islamic Relief's EIRC project
where she receives speech therapy and educational sessions;
she can now speak, explain herself and even write a few words.
She is now a lot more dextrous and even helps her mother at
home.
Mahmoud
Mahmoud
is five years old and has cerebral palsy. His brain is damaged
and there is no cure, but with the right therapy, Mahmoud will
be able improve the control he has over his limbs.
His mother, Hala Hussein, has to carry him most of the time,
he is very clingy and does not like being separated from her.
Looking after Mahmoud is taxing, relatives rarely
visit because Mahmoud's condition makes him hyperactive, he
shouts and moves around uncontrollably most of the time.
After
several sessions at the EIRC, Mahmoud has begun to be more aware
of things around him. He now helps in housework and his behaviour
has improved considerably.
He can now stand and walk with little assistance or support,
and has begun making his own decisions about what to wear for
example.
Hala has also benefited in other ways from EIRC, she now learns
handicrafts at the centre.
You can help by making an
Online
Donation or telephoning:
UK : + 44 121 622 0622
USA : +1 818 238 95 20
France : +33 149 171717
Germany : + 49 221 722 0799
Holland : + 31 206 160 022
Belgium : + 32 22 198 184
Switzerland : +41 227 320 273
Italy : + 39 34 703 41183
Worldwide: +44 121 622 0622
