Ifeoluwa Cerebral Palsy Initiative Celebrates People With Disability

The Ifeoluwa Cerebral Palsy Initiative a brainchild of Mr. Ifeoluwa Anishe on Saturday, 17th of December 2022, held an end-of-year get-together in Ilorin, Kwara State for people affected by Cerebral Palsy (CP).

The initiative was also an opportunity to sensitize Nigerians on the challenges experienced by people with CP and how family members and the community at large could support them.

Dr. Aminu Ahmad Popoola, a lecturer in counselling and psychology at ABU Zaria, during the event spoke on the importance of supporting people with disabilities and understanding their challenges. He also pointed out that people with disabilities often suffer emotional trauma from their families and are treated as social outcasts. He emphasized the need for moral support for people with disabilities as well as financial support for organizations that assist them.

“We need not turn away from assisting people with disabilities; we should support them morally and financially, we should show them love and encourage them and make them productive members of society,” The lecturer said.

A physiotherapy student from the University of Ilorin, Abdulraheem Aishat, provided tips on how to cope with people living with disability, including understanding the person, showing them love and support, and helping them connect with society.

A counsellor at the University of Ilorin, Foluke Bolu-Steve, also noted that CP does not affect the brain, stating that affected persons can become anything and be useful to society if properly trained and exposed to the environment.

The convener of the event, Mr Anishe, disclosed that the foundation would have the responsibility of creating more awareness about the precautions and management of cerebral palsy not just in Kwara State alone but in Nigeria as a whole by touching down to every home with cerebral palsy victims and rendering medical and financial support as it may be required.

According to him, the foundation’s goal is to provide support and resources for people with cerebral palsy and their families and to increase understanding and awareness of the condition in the community.