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Description
The project is extremely timely due to the substance and emergency of the intervention it proposes. It is adressed the problem of social exclusion for 20 children disabled by cerebral palsy, by offering them intensive, daily, emergency access, for 4 months, to specific therapy designed to help them recover cognitive, motor and emotional setback recorded during COVID-19 lockdown. Medical studies and our own experience show us that, in recovering from the effects of cerebral palsy, any day without therapy means not only stagnation, but also regression. The 1-year work of the children and specialists at the center risks being lost without a quick intervention to resume the Individualized Recovery Plan that will bring these children back on the social integration track by raising their degree of autonomy. We aim to recover the regression of the 20 children, case by case, to train accompanying parents on basic therapeutic knowledge in the event of a new lockdown and interruption of activities at the center, and to propose ways of community integration through schooling solutions adapted to each child. Thus, both children and parents will be involved in the recovery and integration process. Our final mission is to be a contributor to offering the independence of children suffering from cerebral palsy, to be able to integrate them in school and society and to offer their families the possibility of a productive economic, social, community lives. We aim to demonstrate that the only barrier that separates these children from the community is a physical one, which can be recovered through therapy, and that prejudice has no value for children who can be an active part in the community if they have the necessary therapy, and for their families who can think about reintegration into the labor market and the well-being of their family when their children, vulnerable due to disability, become autonomous.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address several issues and challenges related to deepening inequalities and social exclusion faced by children with disabilities, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic, the situation was already concerning, with only four therapy centers available for the 1390 children with disabilities in the county. However, the pandemic exacerbated this critical situation. Specifically, the interruption of therapy sessions during the pandemic led to a sudden regression in the children''s progress, affecting their emotional well-being and causing distress to their families.
Within the project, children with disabilities have been identified and participated in intensive, daily therapy tailored to the individual needs of each, in order to recover from regression. Additionally, the project aimed to educate the caregivers about basic therapeutic knowledge in case of future isolations or interruptions in center activities.
The project identified and provided therapy tailored to the individual needs of 25 children with disabilities to help them recover from regression caused by interruptions in therapy sessions during the pandemic. In parallel, the project educated 25 caregivers about basic therapeutic knowledge to ensure continuity of care in case of future isolations or interruptions in center activities. These efforts led to two main effects: enhancing the autonomy and integration into society of the 25 children with disabilities and providing support to the families of these children.