Society has for long viewed children with physical challenges as disabled and has regarded them as outcasts with nothing in their ability and capacity to accomplish. This is not true because a problem is never a problem and will never be one until you view it as one. Most families have ignored these children; they sometimes separate them from other children so as to avoid the embarrassment of having a ‘crippled or disabled child’ in their family. Many times when they have visitors they hide them in the backyard and some even lock them up in the house which is a terrible violation of their children’s rights. It has been repeated time and again that majority of these children can lead a normal life if they have effective access to services such as; early identification, intervention, education, vocational training, employment opportunities and the availability of funds and appliances. They should be included in each and every sphere of life, with equal rights as citizens. For instance, a child, who has weaknesses on one side of his body but has control another hand can reach for things and show you what he wants. Even without a good, functioning arm, the child can convey ideas verbally or with signals. A different child in his situation might have temper tantrums. But if you can work around the limitations of his muscles and create situations that allow him to explore his own boldness; you will be helping him enormously. It is not good to call children with physical challenges as disabled; something good can always come out of them. It is high time that parents and the community at large viewed children with physical challenges as able and support them in order to attain their goals in life. iruikmo@yahoo.com
