CPSK-Evergreen Riders for Health

With Sponsorship from UK based organization ‘Evergreen’ CPSK has been able to expand its outreach program by being able to provide therapy services to even more youngsters. Before the motorbikes the number of children being attended to was 43, but now that the bikes are here the program can see up to 65 youngsters.

The motorbikes help in facilitating transport to the vast distances the therapist have to cover from one house to another as they strive to offer the service.

CPSK has 7 therapists, two enrolled to the program.

Achievements

·         The motorbikes have reduced time wasted in traffic

·         More youngsters have been added to the program; from 2 children to around 4-5 youngsters per therapist

·         CPSK is able to save on finances that were made to be used for transport into other programs

·         CPSK is now the leading organization when it comes to rehabilitation, with service being taken to the homes of those who need it most and cannot reach the facilities.

2016 CPSK-IRA CEREBRAL PALSY CHARITY WALK

Formed in 1994 Cerebral Palsy Society of Kenya (CPSK) is a charitable organization that deals with children/persons afflicted by cerebral condition in the country. Cerebral Palsy is a developmental disability caused by brain damage before, during or after birth.

In the last four years through the sponsorship from Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) the society has achieved high levels of awareness about the condition and has been able to offer better rehabilitation services with the aid of other sponsors, partners and well-wishers through these walks.

This year, CPSK wants to acquire appropriate assistive devices for children and persons not only in Nairobi but also in Kitui, Kilifi, Makueni, Taita Taveta and Kiambu.

Be Part of the journey! Join us!

Saturday 25^th June 2016 from 8.00am at Kuchekuche grounds (Nyayo Stadium).

You may participate as a corporate by requesting for the sponsorship categories form, as a group, family or individuals by buying a t-shirt @ 1000 kshs.

You can also support by sponsoring a Wheelchair, a child for therapy or donating in any way to the society. Your participation as an organization will go a long way in helping the society to make a difference in lives of the less fortunate.

For more info Contact

CPSK

Jardine Mwangeka (Mrs)          -         Tel: 0722-939317/0708-829681

Joy Namatsi                             -         Tel: 0720-452597

Email:cerebralpalsysociety@gmail.com or info@cpsk.or.ke

website: cpsk.or.ke

IRA

Noella Mutanda                        -         Tel: 0722-783742

Rosemary Kavili                      -         Tel: 0719-047612

Email: nmutanda@ira.go.ke or rkavili@ira.go.ke

Visit from Progressive Brothers

On 23rd September 2015, a group of six members from progressive brothers visited Cerebral Palsy Society of Kenya and presented to the out patient clinic a massager to help stimulate muscles for the children attending therapy. 

The CPSK-IRA Cerebral Palsy Chariy Walk

In partnership with Maxton media, musician Christine Kash and Poet Namatsi Lukoye, CPSK has been able to create awareness through the use fusion of poetry and song. Poetry being a hall mark of communication and music which relates with everyone.

The song which is a thank you song, was created to celebrate families and caregivers of children with Cerebral Palsy and also to raise funds through the music copyright society of kenya and skiza tunes. Here is the link:  Asante - Namatsi Lukoye and Christine Kash

A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT CEREBRAL PALSY AND CPSK

Painting the clinic

Art has a profound effect on anyone, but the benefits of exposing a child with cerebral palsy to it can be huge. This is because this artistic media is enjoyable to children and can be used to support a child’s development in a number of ways such as:-

•  they can express their emotions
• develop their communication skills
• benefit from visual stimulation and cognitive stimulation and even 
• It is relaxing

The clinic recently held a painting exercise which involved professional Artist Peter Kimwathi, as well as volunteers and friends from the community.

The Cerebral Palsy Coast Province Medical Camp

Since 2004 CPSK has held medical camps in Nairobi and one in Thika in 2010 in conjunction with pediatric doctors, orthopedics, ophthalmologists, neurologists, and dentists, ENT specialists and Nutritionists.

The medical camps are hosted to meet the following objectives

• To provide a forum for doctors to see children with CP condition and to offer specialized advice.
• To determine the most common diseases among CP children and their most pressing needs.
• To spread awareness among parents and public and fight stigma associated with the condition.

Through sponsorship from the Insurance Regulatory Authority CPSK was able to meet two of its core objectives. This was possible through the charity walk held on the 30^th of June 2012 and the objectives were;   

•   To strengthen the outreach program and to embark on an aggressive expansion outreach program
• To continue with the awareness creation and publicity to reduce stigma and to mainstream disability.
• The medical camp was organized with help of the following Institutions;

1. ·         Coast general Hospital
2. ·         Cerebral Palsy Foundation Tudor
3. ·         APDK Mbombolulu and PortReiz
4. ·         Muncipal Council through PHD
5. ·         Kizurini Special school
6. ·         Tom Mboya School for Cerebral and Tudor Unit (MH) collaborated.

The Camp

The camp was held on 20^th and 21^st at the Mombasa Women’s Association Hall which is situated on the southern side of the Island on your way to Likoni Ferry.

The medical personnel were able to attend to180 children on the two days. After consultations, the parents went away with prescriptions and referrals.

FINDINGS

The most common ailments included: - Upper and lower respiratory infections, convulsions, ear/throat infections, dental problems, malnutrition, skin infections, severe contractures and deformities of the spine.

It was clear that most of the children screened were not getting proper medical care and therapy. This was mainly attributed to the poverty levels encountered in most areas of the coast region. Some parents expressed fear as to whether they would be able to buy the prescribed drugs and assistive devices prescribed.

According to observations many people in Coast province still associated cerebral palsy with witchcraft thus more sensitization was needed.

Children from Kizurini School had more complications than the rest; hence the need to empower parents, the school required a nutritionist and a clinical officer to monitor their progress.

KIZURINI SPECIAL SCHOOL

Cerebral Palsy society of Kenya in efforts to strengthening and expanding its outreach program to the counties visited the school and found the condition of the children and their parents wanting.  

The Kizurini Special School CP is situated in Kizurini Memorial Primary School in Kaloleni. Among the 17 special schools in kaloleni District, Kizurini special school is the only one dealing with cases of cerebral palsy. The school was started in 2007 and currently admits 35 children who are on a boarding or residential programme meaning they learn and also live in the school premises.

The aim of the school is to train children with cerebral palsy with daily living skills and general rehabilitation. Among other objectives of the school is to create awareness about special needs education in the communities in Kaloleni and to make the school suitable institution that gives quality education. Kizurini primary was picked due to its central location and easily accessible by parents. The schools proximity to St.Lukes hospital also makes it ideal for children with Cerebral Palsy.

The Facility is faced with a myriad of challenges, starting with the land scape of the school; the school has a slope and stones which is a hindrance to children’s movement due to their disability. The facility lacks ramps which makes it disability unfriendly.

• The school lacks therapists in the rehabilitation of these children leading to contractures or secondary disabilities.
  

• Lack of enough facilities, the school has one room which serves as a class, dormitory, feeding area and also playing area. The school lacks teacher Aids. The mothers to these children have to come and take care of the children’s welfare. This arrangement poses a challenge in that these mothers have other family members to take care of back at home.

•  The school also lacks furniture; such as beds, chairs/desks and beddings. The children have to make do with worn out mattresses and blankets that also serve as the curtains.

• The state of the toilets and the bathrooms is appalling. They are not the type to be used by children with disabilities. The children use makeshift bathrooms which do not have roofs.

• There is no a kitchen and so parents have to prepare meals outside, which is very cumbersome especially when it rains.

• The store that they have is small and congested, and the food is not properly stored thus posing a health risk.

• There is also lack of supportive devices such as; wheelchairs, standing and sitting aids among others.

• The school also lacks electricity and water. Due to this they have to use lamps that pose a danger to the pupils due to their disability.

• The institution has heavily relied on well wishers for food to feed the children since their annual budget cannot cater for all the needs. 

2013 CALENDER OF EVENTS

2012 ended on a note for us:- More families joined the society hence the number of children coming to the clinic and being seen on the Out-Reach Project increased significantly.

One of the therapist attended an APT workshop at the Cerebral Palsy Foundation in Tudor, Chuda which equipped us with the techniques of making our own standing and sitting aids out of carton boxes. We intend to start this project this year.
  
 Calender of Events

Date                                         Event

9nd February                           Painting of the Clinic 

16th February                           Special Annual General Meeting

16th June                                CPSK - IRA CEREBRAL PALSY CHARITY WALK/FAMILY FUN DAY
12th October                          Medical Camp

7th December                         Christmas Party

Seminar on Disability at the Nairobi Baptist Church

Report by Namatsi Lukoye

The Nairobi Baptist church held a seminar for parents entitled  'Parenting and Supporting children with Special Needs' on the 27th and the 28th of November. The event revolving around spreading awareness and proving parents with as much information on what services are currently available was attended by the Public Relations Officer and Mrs. Mwangeka (C.E.O).

Among organisations present were, the Autism Awareness Kenya, Dyslexia Organization, Therapies for Kids, Sarakasi hospital Project, among many others.

The main objective for the seminar was to create awareness, sensitize our community and empower the parents for the betterment of the children with special needs.

Avoiding and Managing Cerebral Palsy

There is no prevention for cerebral palsy but the condition can be lowered by;

·         Women should avoid under age pregnancy and stressful conditions during pregnancy

·         Expectant mothers should attend pre-natal clinics 

·         Expectant mothers should ensure that they give birth in a certified hospital or that  they are attended to by a qualified doctor or midwife

·       The condition can be managed and improved on through occupational therapy through occupational therapy

The benefits of Occupational Therapy 

CPSK therapists at the clinic

•         It offers help to people with mental health disorders and plays a key role in treating them to regain their mental abilities
•              It helps people with physical disabilities in pediatric and physical dysfunction return to ordinary tasks around home and at work by maximizing physical potential through lifestyle adaptations and possible use of assistive devices.
•          It offers training to maximize independence in activities of daily living (such as grooming, bathing, toileting, feeding and dressing).
•          The use of adaptive work and play activities increase independent function, enhance development, and prevents disability
•          Occupational therapy offers services in designing and fabrication of static and dynamic splints to prevent and correct deformities

Childhood Signs and Difficulties

A mother who succumbs to an illness or a stressful situation especially in the first three months of pregnancy is likely to give birth to a child with a developmental problem and hence follow up is important.

Be keen when the following things happen:-

Prolonged labor
Difficult deliveries
lack of or a delay cry

Signs in early childhood include:

• Early feeding difficulties 
• Delayed development 
• Poor muscle control 
• Muscle spasms 
• Lack of coordination 

Although the damage to the brain will not become worse, the effect on the body can become more obvious with age, and physical deformities can develop. Early detection and management can reduce the severity of the effects of the disability. 

The CPSK – IRA Cerebral Palsy Charity Walk/Family Fun Day

Report by Namatsi Lukoye

The CPSK – IRA Cerebral Palsy Charity Walk/Family Fun Day was fun-filled and energy packed event. The much hyped event had finally come to be on the 30^th of June 2012.  Despite the morning cold, participants including Hon Peter Kenneth, Commissioner Sammy Makove (CEO, IRA), and Mrs. Jardine Mwangeka (CEO, CPSK) had arrived at Nyayo Stadium Kuche Kuche grounds as early as 7.00am. 

CPSK families also reported early and headed straight to the set up clinics for therapy by the CPSK therapists in collaboration with Dr. Elizabeth Kruger of Nairobi hospital.

The event greatly supported by celebrities such as the Red Acapella, Fred Omondi, DJ Pinye, Daddy Owen, Mbuvi, Ng’ang’alito, Ambasada, among others; attracted approximately around 800 participants.

The 9.3 Km walk was flagged off at 8:30 after a warm up session by Mr. Waswa and the participants set off led by the Langata Brass Bad.  

As the participants made their way back to the stadium tired, they were welcomed back by the fun spearheaded by Fred Omondi, DJ Spaxx and Tangi (of Duero Agencies). Mbuvi kept the audience dancing and singing with his ‘Nikilemewa nishike mkono baba’ song.  The Vioja Mahakamani team, Sawala dancers, Bone breakers, made the fun day a success among other entertainers.

The beauty of the day shone even brighter as Daddy Owen and Dennis sang ‘Mbona,’ a song composed to fight stigma for the disabled of Kenya. This fell perfectly with the theme of the event which was, ‘Partnering to Create a Stigma Free Environment’. The Walk was aimed at creating awareness, fighting stigma and raising funds for cerebral palsy (CP) and the required occupational therapy.

Indeed we make a living by what we get, but a life by what we give. 

THE CPSK CLINIC IN DONHOLM OUR CHILDREN OUR STORIES

Diana getting her therapy

The CPSK clinic in Donholm

A child is put on a standing for around for 30mins  used in standing and midlife orientation, for strength and endurance

                                               
                                                   Parents wait for their turn with the therapist

                                                   
                  The Swing Vestibular stimulation also known as a balance center used to help a child fight fright

Roller used to train head control, rolling over and trunk strength and alignment

A letter from a dear friend

Hi guys,

My love story of children with cerebral palsy started in April 2010, while on a Jigger Campaign in Githunguri, with a team of 18 volunteers. In one of the homes, I met Steve, an 8 year old child with severe CP complications, he weighed 10kgs and was painfully breathing through a trachectomy tube in his neck. I sought the assistance of Jardine Mwangeka – the chairperson of Cerebral Palsy Society of Kenya and she visited the home with us. Unfortunately while we were seeking urgent medical intervention for Steve, he succumbed to the complications of CP.

Since then, I have come across several children with CP who are highly stigmatised and in desperate need of therapy. I would like us to support CPSK, to go beyond the borders of Nairobi. For this reason I am a friend of CPSK and have been involved in assisting them in networking and publicity. We request you to join with us by purchasing a t-shirt at Ksh1,000. I also encourage you to buy a t-shirt on behalf of a mother of a child with cerebral palsy, I have several who would like to go cannot afford a t-shirt. 

Yours faithfully

Charity Muturi

The CPSK CLINIC

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.

CPSK and IRA Media Launch

Insurance Regulatory Authority Partners with Cerebral Palsy Society of Kenya to Promote Stigma Free Environment for Cerebral Palsy Victims

The Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) today announced a donation of Ksh 2.5 million towards this year’s Cerebral Palsy Charity Walk, becoming the event’s title sponsor.
In sponsoring the walk, the Authority is responding to a low level of awareness with regard to the condition’s effects which often lead to stigma and discrimination. The event was hosted at the IRA offices and was presided over by the Authority’s CEO, Mr. Sammy Makove.

“Our commitment to the community, either through sponsorships or social responsibility programmes is based on the desire to improve and develop our society in areas: of education and community development. We work to align the objectives of our business with that of protecting and empowering the society and the world around us,” said Mr. Makove.

Speaking at the event CPSK representative, Jardine Mwangeka, expressed appreciation for the support offered by the Insurance Regulatory Authority as well as other CPSK regular supporters: Ascribe Kenya Ltd; Lillian Foundation; and Maple Management. Mrs. Mwangeka challenged other Kenyans to come on board and support this effort.

Renowned Kenyan artiste Daddy Owen is also a supporter of the initiative. His song “Mbona” is the theme song for the walk and talks about consideration for the disabled in the society.

The CPSK and title sponsor, IRA encouraged other organisations to support the Cerebral Palsy of Kenya Annual Charity Walk and help alleviate the challenges of the sufferers of this condition as well as their families.

CEREBRAL PALSY CHARITY WALK (CPSK - IRA)

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give" Wnston Churchill



Children's smiles have continually blessed the CPSK offices for two weeks now as a team of 32 volunteers continually dedicate their time and effort in ensuring that children affected by cerebral palsy get the therapy they need.

"We are in this together, I want to see this children living a better life, not discriminated, I want parents to feel free bring their children to the clinic any time and not fear how the society views them," said Martin (a volunteer)

The City Council of Nairobi has partnered with CPSK and IRA to ensure a stigma free environment. CCN has permitted the devoted volunteers to create awareness and raise funds on any part of the city.

Join us! Buy a T-shirt Adult 1000/-,
children T-shirts 700/-
Wristbands 200/-
Awareness Ribbons 100/-