Being a charitable Organization, CPSK relies wholly on support from well-wishers and other people of goodwill for its upkeep. Today, the Society caters for over 300 children/persons who benefit directly from therapy and rehabilitation services that are offered free-of-charge.
VISION
To ensure that persons afflicted by cerebral palsy in Kenya are rehabilitated to enable them realize their full potential.
MISSION
To offer the best support services through the provision of therapy, promotion of awareness and advocacy of appropriate measures to improve the welfare of persons afflicted by cerebral palsy in Kenya.
OBJECTIVES
CPSK is committed to championing for the rights of the afflicted through:
(i) Creation and enhancement of awareness among parents and the general public about Cerebral Palsy.
(ii) Provision of therapy, as well as medical, educational and counselling services for individuals disabled by C.P to enable them realize their full potential.
(iii) Promotion of legislative policy and other measures to improve the welfare of C.P sufferers in Kenya.
SERVICES OFFERED
Through its qualified and experienced staff, CPSK offers the following services;
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Speech and communication therapy
Counseling and support groups
ACHIEVEMENTS
1. Since the establishment of CPSK over 15 years ago, many Kenyans have acquired a lot of information about cerebral palsy through the various campaigns mounted by the society. Such awareness campaigns include annual charity walks and dinners, medical camps and Christmas parties. Indeed since the campaigns begun, the Society has continued to register at least two new cases every week. The net effect is that many parents with CP children are steadily recognizing the need to seek assistance for their children as opposed to hiding them at home.
2. CPSK boasts of provision of quality and free therapy and rehabilitation services to persons afflicted by cerebral palsy. The therapy and general rehabilitation clinic in Nairobi has offered hope to many families and their children especially those who cannot afford to provide these services due to financial constraints.
3. The Society remains a source of inspiration and hope by offering free counseling to parents/guardians towards acceptance of their children’s condition and consequently provide love and care for the child.
4. The Society has continued to work towards empowering parents and care-givers through training seminars and workshops that provide an avenue by which they learn of ways and means of handling the special needs of their children
5. By partnering with various sponsors such as Stichting Liliane Fonds, CPSK ensures that as many CP children as are able to have access to quality education in special needs schools.
CHALLENGES
i) Being a charitable organization, CPSK relies solely on the support and goodwill of well-wishers to run its activities. However, this support is not always consistent and at times disrupts the smooth running of the society’s activities due to lack of finances.
ii) These financial constraints also affect the Society’s ability to acquire relevant, often very expensive assistive devices used in therapy and rehabilitation.
iii)The lack of a motor vehicle to facilitate movement of therapists and the afflicted posses a great challenge, especially to the outreach program. Quick access to CP individuals in their respective homes is slowed and/or impeded due to the unreliable nature of Public Service transport.
iv)Lack of enough personnel in specialized areas like speech/language therapy poses a monumental challenge as the country does not have many such professionals.
v)Although CPSK endeavors to educate the public on cerebral palsy, many afflicted children continue to be shunned, neglected and suffer in secret isolation due to the wrong perceptions that have been advanced towards explanation of the cause of CP. It is such attitudes and behaviour that hamper efforts by the Society to offer rehabilitation to those who are afflicted.
FUTURE PLANS & GOALS
CPSK has the following plans for the future:
1. Intensify awareness campaigns in all parts of the country to enhance understanding of cerebral palsy among Kenyans
2. Open at least one Rehabilitation Clinic, in consultation with the government, in each of the eight (8) provinces of the country. These will increase ease and effectiveness in service delivery to the afflicted at the grassroots level.
3. Set up an ultra modern Rehabilitation Centre in Nairobi that will serve as a one-stop facility for CP cases. The envisaged Rehabilitation Centre will house a hospital, day-care centre, special school and a home for the abandoned.
Cerebral Palsy Society of Kenya welcomes all kinds of contribution from individuals, groups, corporate organizations and institutions towards the betterment and well being of persons afflicted by cerebral palsy.
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