|
The stages of rehabilitation
AWARENESS programmes are carried out in
village communities to explain the many causes
of disability and what local services may be
available, like preventative interventions. A range of choices and opportunities are shared for
both disabled persons and their caregivers.
Awareness-raising must first remove the stigma
of shame or blame for parents having a disabled
child or relative.
|
|
IDENTIFICATION
of disabled persons by a social worker through
surveys of villages and districts to record the
number, types & causes of disability,
details about home, family, education and
finances, the level of community support
available and quality of accessibility to
buildings and toileting facilities.
ASSESSMENT by a trained
physiotherapist or doctor of each
disabled person to accurately diagnose
the cause of disability to decide
whether a disease or a muscular or
neurological problem and to check the
level of joint contractures and limb
flexibility in order to gauge the
necessary intervention. |
Patient
Form - Click image
to open Word file |
|
This may involve medical
help, fitting an orthotic (brace)
support or prosthetic (artificial) limb,
supplying a mobility or physiotherapy
device, corrective surgery, counselling,
physiotherapy or skills' training.
|
 |
|
|
Tools developed by MEND - click to enlarge |
|
REFERRAL to appropriate local health or
rehabilitation service provider, preferably at
little or no cost to patient . Seek low-cost or
subsidised healthcare by government or NGO and
help by providing transport costs for the poor
to and from hospital and offer a social worker
to help with x-rays and administration.
TREATMENT is carried out by hospital, physio
clinic, disability centre or other suitable
health service provider who can help with
hospital and surgery costs.
|
 |
 |
Two patient file photos before and after the operations - click to enlarge
|
FOLLOW-UP visits to disabled members homes
to regularly gauge progress or problems that
develop during treatment. It may be necessary to
change the approach to rehabilitation and make adaptations
to equipment if needed e.g. as a child
grows his callipers may need lengthening or
adjustments to walkers and standing frames.
SKILLS' TRAINING is provided for disabled
members to improve their income-generating
ability which in turn, will uplift their sense
of self-worth and dignity in their family and
community. Job security and self-help skills
increase independence.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT is provided to disabled
members through micro-credit loans for set-up
costs to buy tools and materials so they can
start a small business. Sponsors are sought from
the wider community locally and overseas to
cover disabled members' special school fees
and rehabilitation costs.
ADVOCACY, ACCESS & HUMAN RIGHTS'
issues of disabled members are addressed by our
project partners so that disabled members can
have equal choices & opportunities to those
who are able-bodied ..and so live more
productive lives, without discrimination and
disadvantage. |
