At just 16 years old, Ntokozo’s world was shattered by a tragic car accident. Swerving to avoid a pedestrian, the vehicle he was travelling in collided with another. Ntokozo lost his mother in the crash and suffered a severe brain injury.
Often underestimated, the benefits of physiotherapy for people with profound intellectual disability are well documented. Children and adults affected by ID face unique challenges in their physical and cognitive development. Whilst physiotherapy cannot cure, it does provide essential support that helps improve overall quality of life. Here are five benefits of physiotherapy: 1. Physiotherapy improves […]
Many children are fussy, finicky eaters with a strong aversion to trying new foods. But feeding a child with intellectual disability (e.g. cerebral palsy) comes with added meal time challenges, making it harder to provide your child with sufficient nutrition for growth and health. Among the difficulties your child might face are: 1. Difficulty chewing […]
With Christmas just around the corner, you may be looking for ideas for gifts for children with intellectual disability … for a friend’s child or even your own. No need to stress. Buying gifts for children with disabilities isn’t all that different from buying for any other child. You need to consider the child’s abilities, […]
According to numerous studies, people with intellectual disability can not only experience mental health problems such as anxiety, stress and depression. They’re actually four times more susceptible to these conditions than the general population. However, they are less likely to be correctly diagnosed, let alone treated. Owing to something known as ‘diagnostic overshadowing’, health care […]
It’s normal to feel distressed when you first learn that your eagerly awaited child has a disability. If you are religious, you may wonder why God has ‘punished’ you. At LITTLE EDEN, we strongly believe that children with profound intellectual and physical disability are a gift from God, sent to make us better people. They […]
Caregivers are often regarded with awe. Warm, compassionate and patient, they offer valuable support to people needing assistance and their family. Because the role is both physically taxing and psychologically demanding, self-care for caregivers is essential in order to avoid compassion fatigue and burnout. October is Mental Health Awareness month in South Africa. With that […]
Many people have no idea how to react to a child with disabilities, or their parents. Do we ignore the obvious – that the child is in a wheelchair or struggling to speak normally? Should we ask questions about the child’s condition? We want to be sensitive — but worry about saying the wrong thing. […]
As the parent of a child affected by severe intellectual disability, you will at some point think about placing him or her in a residential home such as LITTLE EDEN. It’s never an easy decision. You may feel that no one else will love and care for your child the way you do. Or you […]
Caring for someone with physical disabilities? You’ll know that they need extra care in winter to keep them warm and comfortable. Poor circulation makes it difficult for those with limited movement, spasticity or cerebral palsy to keep cosy when the temperature drops. Hands and feet are particularly susceptible to the cold. Lower temperatures also cause […]
