Giving children with CP a better quality of life

CITY of BALANGA, Bataan – One of the priority programs of the government is the welfare of persons with disabilities (PWDs). For years now, the Provincial Government of Bataan through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) has been attending to the needs of this sector of the society for them to acquire a better quality of life; assisting them to become more productive, functional and participative members of the society thru its varied programs and services.

In partnership with the Latter Day Saints Charities, Inc. of the Church of Latter Day Saints, the PSWDO has been awarding assistive devices to PWDs and children with CP.

This morning, children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) from Dinalupihan undergo assessment at the Church of Latter Day Saints, in this City so as to be assured that the assistive devices that will be given are “custom built” for them. This afternoon, it will be the turn of the beneficiaries from Samal and Orani. In the next two days, beneficiaries from the remaining 9 towns will have their assessment.

Performing the assessment are licensed intermediate wheelchair assessors, namely: Dr. Ferdeliza Garcia from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, Manila; Mr. Rogelio Flores of KASAMAKA-CBR Foundation and Ms. Alexa Blas, an Occupational Therapist also from the UP College of Medicine, Manila.

Mr. Flores is in charge in the assessment of the actual measurement and supportive functions of the assistive devices/wheelchairs, while Ms. Blas trains and orients caregivers on the range of motion (ROM) exercises as part of therapy to children with cerebral palsy.

These assistive devices will enable these children to have ease of movement and perform appropriate tasks that would all contribute to their enjoying a better quality of life.