Pune – The World Cerebral Palsy day was celebrated in Sancheti Hospital by Physiotherapy Department on 7th October 2017. Approximately 80 Special children from the schools like Center for Special Education, Zep, Arambh, ShriSaiSevaPratishthan, etc. had participated in the function. Children enjoyed actively participating in the fancy dress competition along with mind-boggling dances, skits, and other cultural programs. Children were delighted to walk and wheel on the red carpet in the fancy dress competition. Students from Arambh and Sri SaiSevaPratishthan performed wholeheartedly by singing and dancing in the cultural program. Master ShreeshKulkarni performed a small part of famous Marathi play ‘VarhadNghalay London la’, while Sara Joshi and Preeti Mishra stole everyone’s heart by their highly motivational speeches.
Dr. Sandeep Patwardhan, renowned pediatric orthopedics, shared valuable information regarding cerebral palsy on this occasion with the caregivers. He said, “The parents should understand that the child can become functionally independent if receives the right treatment at right time. The deformities are correctible and treatment techniques like surgeries and Botox can help to make child functionally independent.”
Psychological counselor ShilpaDhoot motivated the parents by saying; “Early counseling of families or caregivers of children having CP may function as a starting point for parental adaptation. As the condition is lifelong and it requires ongoing services and adjustments to promote the overall health and well-being of their child.”
Pediatric physiotherapists, Dr. Surabhi Date (PT) and Dr. PanktiTanna (PT), added further that physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy are the mainstay for rehabilitation of the children with Cerebral Palsy. But there are many emerging assistive therapies which may enhance these mainstay therapies. Parents should also support therapies such as aquatic therapy, music therapy or dance therapy for making their child confident, able and functionally independent.
Dr. RajendraKhedekar form Center for Special Education shared information about the challenges in providing basic community infrastructure to these children. He said, “In our society children with special needs are still considered social stigma. In reality, such children need more affection so that their self-confidence is boosted and they can strive harder for their goals. The society itself needs to be more supportive which can be achieved only if the awareness for the condition improves, so we need to mass media wisely to propagate the thought.”
Famous Marathi Actress MrinmayeeGodbole was the chief guest for the function who also motivated the children by interacting with them joyously. Guest of honor and famous model RichaRajan was delighted to see the children perform. Together they announced and gave away the prizes to the winners of the fancy dress and cultural program competitions. Dr. PanktiTanna was the emcee for the function.
