Parents of children living with cerebral palsy in Abia State have called on the federal, state and local governments to increase investment in specialised healthcare, rehabilitation and support services for children with neurological disabilities.
The appeal was made during a Parent Support Group meeting organised by The Straight Child Foundation (TSCF) in Umuahia, where parents, caregivers and rehabilitation professionals gathered to share experiences, provide emotional support and promote evidence-based care for children living with cerebral palsy.
The event highlighted the critical role of parent education, physiotherapy, peer support and early intervention in improving the quality of life of affected children, while reinforcing the need to replace stigma and isolation with inclusion, dignity and functional independence.
Parent recounts son’s remarkable recovery
One of the participants, Mrs. Loveth Onyekachi, shared the emotional story of her three-year-old son, Testimony Onyekachi, whose condition improved significantly after months of consistent physiotherapy.
According to her, the family had exhausted several treatment options and spent hundreds of thousands of naira seeking medical help before discovering the foundation.
“I joined the foundation towards the end of September last year after my husband learned about the organisation. Before then, we had gone from one place to another in search of help for our three-year-old son. We spent hundreds of thousands of naira on different medications, yet nothing changed. We almost lost hope because the emotional pain was overwhelming,” she said.
Mrs. Onyekachi credited her son’s progress to the professional support provided by the foundation’s physiotherapists and the family’s commitment to continuing prescribed therapy exercises at home.
She recalled that in March this year, her son expressed a strong desire to walk.
“He told me he wanted to walk. I encouraged him, and today he is walking. Seeing him take those steps has completely changed our lives,” she said.
She stressed that every child deserves the opportunity to reach his or her full potential when given the right care, therapy and encouragement.
Experts emphasise importance of early intervention
A physiotherapist with the foundation, Praise Analaba, led an interactive therapy session for parents, demonstrating therapeutic movement exercises, stretching routines, balance and coordination activities, as well as group exercises designed to improve mobility, muscle strength and overall functional development in children with cerebral palsy.
Analaba emphasised that regular home-based physiotherapy, active parental involvement and consistent rehabilitation complement professional treatment and significantly improve long-term outcomes.
She urged parents to remain committed to prescribed therapy programmes, noting that sustained intervention plays a vital role in enhancing children’s independence and quality of life.
Call for greater government support
Participants at the meeting renewed calls for increased government investment in specialised rehabilitation centres, early intervention programmes, physiotherapy services and caregiver support across the country.
They argued that access to affordable rehabilitation and inclusive healthcare remains a major challenge for many families raising children with cerebral palsy.
The support group meeting also provided a platform for caregivers to exchange experiences, encourage one another and gain practical skills for managing the daily challenges associated with caring for children living with cerebral palsy.
Participants agreed that stronger public support, greater awareness and sustained access to rehabilitation services are essential to improving outcomes and promoting the social inclusion of children with disabilities.
