CPSK boasts of provision of quality and free therapy and rehabilitation services to children/persons afflicted by cerebral palsy. The therapy and general rehabilitation clinic in Nairobi has offered hope to many families and their children especially those who cannot afford to provide these services due to financial constraints.
Therapy at the clinic happens on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; children are brought as early as 8:00am for a session of 45minutes to 1hour. During this time the therapists carry out:-
• Occupational Therapy
Which aims to maximize a child's potential for independence with daily activities, it also helps a child to develop and learn many skills. Cerebral palsy can sometimes affect a child's perceptual and sensory ability and their judgment of spaces and distances. Occupational therapy seeks to help overcome this through using carefully graded activities so that they can move and use their eyes and hands more effectively to dress, eat, read, write and play with friends. It also helps children to enhance their self-esteem and sense of accomplishment.
• Physiotherapy
Uses specific handling techniques to help children to relax and mobilize their muscles and joints. It also helps a child to fight fear. This improves the child's quality of posture and movement, enabling them to move more freely and be more stable and comfortable. It is only when a child can achieve a safe and supported position that they are ready to learn to interact with their environment.
• Speech therapy and swallowing lessons
This therapy deals not only with communication and speech, but with all aspects of oral movement. Difficulties in coordinating the muscles necessary for speaking mean that children may also experience problems eating and drinking.
The Society remains a source of inspiration and hope by offering free counselling to parents/guardians towards acceptance of their children’s condition and consequently provide love and care for the child.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, therapists visit the older children in their homes, children who cannot be carried to the clinic and give them therapy at home.
The therapists at CPSK combine these disciplines to give children with cerebral palsy the skills to explore the world, communicate their needs and participate as much as possible, not just in therapy sessions, but in all aspects of their lives.