Description
The project aims at increasing the quality of lives of children, adolescents and young adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) through the provision of rehabilitation counseling services (Medical, Training/Exercising, Psychological, and Vocational) for children with Congenital Heart Disease. Over the years people with CHD have reported/identified specific psychosocial, educational and behavioral challenges in addition to medical problems. The development of rehabilitation services aim at providing medical, training/exercising, psychological and vocational counseling services to children, adolescents and young adults with congenital heart disease (CHD). Using a holistic approach (upholds that all aspects of people's needs including psychological, physical and social should be taken into account and seen as a whole), the Rehabilitation Services will help children, adolescents and young adults with CHD to achieve their personal, career, and independent living goals through a counseling process. Additionally, it will help the families of children and adolescents with CHD.
Summary of project results
The outcome of the project benefited the young population in Cyprus with CHD. These services targeted young people living with CHD and their families so as to provide support, guidance and effective solutions to concerns related to personal, career/educational and life goals. Providing these rehabilitation counselling services improved the quality of life of the target group i.e. children, adolescents and young adults, as well as, enhanced their overall well-being by receiving specifically designed - personalised services according to the needs and aspirations of each individual. In quantitative terms, 37 personal files/cases of children, adolescents and young adults with CHD were primarily addressed within the framework of this project, which face physical, medical and mental problems. The concerns and problems they have faced as regards to their social integration were addressed, as well as vocational guidance was provided as regards to crucial decisions for their personal lives (e .g career/ educational goals) which will help them in the future integrate better in the economic and social environments of Cyprus i.e. making friends, choosing the right University, finding a job etc. In addition, personalised sessions with a trainer were organised for the children to learn ways of exercising without harming their bodies. Through the implementation of the awareness workshop and the four educational workshops where all the potential beneficiaries were informed about the newly provided services and all members of the Association were invited, thus making it possible to reach interested parties in other urban and rural areas that might not have been aware of this project, parents and children interacted with professional supervision and acquired techniques to manage their relations in a more effective and productive way. The provision of basic welfare services and rehabilitation counselling services overall improved the existing situation among children, adolescents and young people living with CHD and helped them and their families to cope better with the day-to-day difficulties that they face individually, as well as, provide them with guidance for their future career plans. Finally, through the project activities a network of support among families, parents and children was created which will act as a means of exploiting further the knowledge gathered via the project.
Summary of bilateral results