This little girl with cerebral palsy is learning to walk with the help of her carers. They understood that a changed approach was necessary, implemented our suggestions and she is now even further along the road towards independence. It is heartening to see the noticeable impact a little advice can have, even in the space of only a few weeks. Through CAPDA she will soon be receiving a walker to further assist her.

This boy would not sit in a chair. It distressed him, but he is now getting too big to be carried on his mother’s back. We worked out a desensitising programme for him and with his carers help he can now sit happily for an hour at a time.  This was important not only for general ease of care, but also because CAPDA has provided him with a new wheelchair.

This 18 month old boy could sit but could not move from this position.  He is slowly being taught to push himself up from lying. Initially he had almost no mobility. Now he can lean on his elbow and move to support his weight on his hand with a little assistance. Before long we hope he will master this on his own.  He has much to learn before he can walk but now he is getting the building blocks needed to make this a real possibility.

Much of CAPDA’s work aims to help carers and families prevent the deformities and problems associated with disabilities from becoming fixed and so severely limiting.You cannot stop deformities completely, but with knowledge of good positioning and handling techniques many problems, such as this little girl’s contractures, which prevent her from being able to straighten her legs, and pressure sores, could have been lessened.