Parents of children living with developmental disabilities have been urged to register them for the Autism and other related developmental disabilities programme (ARDD) for them to access essential support interventions needed to better their conditions.

Speaking at his office, the Kericho County Coordinator Disability Services Hopkins Olasi said the initiative by National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) follows a nationwide survey of individuals living with ARDD and this outlined the priority areas for intervention and implementation of the programme this financial year.

‘As a council we know that our clients who have these developmental disabilities have many challenges including financial constraints, discrimination and stigma. Some need incontinence supplies like diapers, some require therapy, others need diagnostic tests to support their therapy sessions. The program will be implemented this year but there will be a continuous registration exercise as we endeavor to assist many more,’ sai
d Olasi.

Mr Olasi revealed that the targeted developmental disabilities include autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, Down syndrome, hydrocephalus, spinal bifida and mental learning or intellectual disabilities who are set to benefit from therapy sessions, essential medication and other crucial support.

‘So far 159 beneficiaries in Kericho have been captured but the targeted population for this region is 200 and we envision to registering more than this number,’ added the County Disability Officer.

‘We have done mapping, assessment and registration of these beneficiaries in several locations of Kapchebor, Tendwet and Tulwet, Roret and Kipkelion special school for mentally handicapped in the last one week and this will be a continuous process. We know there are many we have not registered and we are still waiting for more to register. This financial year the council is targeting 10,000 ARDD beneficiaries in the country but for Kericho County target stands at 200,’ said Olasi.

He disclosed that requirements nee
ded for the registration exercise which is captured on the e-citizen online portal are notably a national identification card for children above 18 years, a birth certificate for minors, medical report from a medical practitioner, and a passport size photo.

Olasi further revealed that those already captured were beneficiaries into the ARDD program between the ages of two years and 36 years with 16 cases of children living with mental learning disabilities from Kipkelion special school for mentally handicapped captured to benefit from the ARDD program.

He encouraged parents living with children having ARDD not to conceal them but seek to secure assistance for them to enjoy their basic human rights and wellbeing adding this will help in breaking the stereotype and stigma associated with such kind of disabilities.

‘Parents ought not to hide their children living with ARDD. The government has set aside services for them. When there is early intervention like therapy for these children at a young age, some of t
he disabilities can be avoided and our aim is to offer early intervention measures,’ said the Kericho County Disability officer.

Speaking to KNA at Africa Inland Church grounds in Kiboybei location within Ainamoi sub-county, Kericho, Jane Chepkoech, a mother of a 26-year- old mentally disabled son Wycliff Kimutai Langat revealed that her son’s problems started when he was seven months old when he developed a growth on his head that later led to the loss of his eye sight when he was in Form 3. This forced her son to drop out of school as he was now both visually and mentally challenged.

‘After my son, who is the second born in a family of six children lost his eyesight, I assumed the role of caregiver since he could not do anything for himself without assistance. He had to undergo two operations and this has not helped much as he collapses several times in a day. I was once assisted by well-wishers and even sold part of my land for his medication and to fund his two surgeries but am now seeing light at the e
nd of the tunnel as he will now be assisted with essential interventions like his drugs and therapy to enable him live a comfortable life,’ said Mama Chepkoech.

Source: Kenya News Agency