The Cerebral Palsy Multidisciplinary Team at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital marked World Cerebral Palsy Day with a heartwarming event that brought together parents and children living with cerebral palsy.
The theme of the event, “Millions of Reasons” resonated deeply with the participants, emphasizing the multitude of reasons to celebrate these exceptional children.
In a touching welcome speech, Dr. Oluwatosin Olorunmoteni, a consultant at the pediatrics clinic, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the parents and issued a heartfelt plea to the public.
She urged society to embrace and cherish these special children while being mindful of their unique needs.
Dr. Olorunmoteni passionately advocated for unconditional love, discouraging stigmatization of both the children and their caregivers. She stressed the importance of not comparing these children, as the causes of cerebral palsy are diverse, as are their individual growth journeys.
Ag. Deputy CMAC representing the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Akinwunmi Komolafe conveyed the CMD’s goodwill message to the parents and the public at large.
The ag. CMAC admonishes the parents to be steadfast and patient in caring for their children. He assured parents of the hospital’s ongoing support and encouraged them to foster their children’s abilities, all while discouraging stigmatization.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Ola Ibigbami, a consultant at the mental health unit, shed light on the issue of self-stigmatization among parents, cautioning against the detrimental effects it can have on the children’s development.
Dr. Ibigbami emphasized that cerebral palsy is not synonymous with intellectual disability and urged parents to provide their children with proper education and continued treatment.
During an interactive session led by Dr. Oke Oluwasola, parents discussed strategies to combat stigmatization in their communities.
The participants called upon families to remain hopeful, embrace their children with love, and work with religious groups to promote understanding and acceptance.
They also appealed to the government for subsidized treatments to ease the financial burden on parents and advocated for increased public awareness about cerebral palsy.
The event served as a powerful reminder that every child, regardless of their challenges, is a reason to celebrate and that love, understanding, and support are essential ingredients in their journey to achieving their full potential.
