Medical care vital to helping and improving the lives of People with Disabilities

Physiotherapy and proper medical care is essential in treating many diseases and disabilities, which has assisted and improved the lives of so many people, such as children at The Hope School in Johannesburg. Mr. Viljoen, principal of the Hope School, believes that his school "provides children with a home away from home, where they receive so much love, care and comfort as well as the essential physical and mental medical treatments they need. Mr. Viljoen will be speaking at this year's ACSA Disability Conference and Nedbank Disability SA Expo 2007 to be held from the 1st to 3rd November at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, providing delegates with essential information on the importance of schools such as this, and other necessary developments and technologies regarding the progression of children.

Learners at the Hope School have a wide variety of physical disabilities. Some of these include congenital conditions, such as phocomelia, spinal muscular atrophy and congenital abnormalities of their internal organs, disabilities due to acquired diseases and various degrees of cerebral palsy and trauma injuries. The school offers different medical clinics through the Physiotherapy Department and Hostel medical staff in conjunction with the Johannesburg Hospital and the University of the Witwatersrand, Medical School. This medical care is essential for the correct functioning of the school. Learners are provided with the best care and support as well as an education.

The mission of the physiotherapy department at the Hope School is rehabilitation. Exercise activities such as stretching, strengthening, mobilisation and coordination are used to enable the child to become as functional as possible. This is often a very difficult task to achieve as children need constant stimulation and encouragement. Play activities such as swimming, obstacle courses and ball therapy help the department achieve many of its goals improving the children's quality of life drastically.

As a result of this physiotherapy, children with disabilities are excelling on many levels. Assistive devices such as heat and cold are used straight after an injury to decreases pain and swelling. Ultrasounds are used to treat inflammatory conditions of joints and muscles. Exercise is used to maintain and improve body function and posture and increases muscle tone, strength and endurance. Various mechanical devices are used on a regular basis, such as parallel bars, stationary bicycles, pulleys and weights. Self-help devices such as splints, braces, crutches and wheelchairs are used to help children with disabilities perform daily activities. The physiotherapy department at the Hope School allows children with disabilities access to all of these assistive devices and developments. This not only gives the children at the school opportunities to be as functional as possible, but gives all of these children a bit of hope and a positive outlook on life.

Grace Manzi, a past pupil at the Hope School believes that the therapists at the school helped her in more ways than one. When she arrived at the school she had twisted legs, which prevented her from moving them. At school she received countless therapy sessions, and is now walking again.

Medical care is so important for rehabilitation and improving the quality of life for so many people. For more information on new developments and technologies in the treatment of people with disabilities, please visit the Nedbank Disability SA Expo 2007.

This year's event includes an exciting array of activities, including:

- Wheelchair basketball demonstrations
- Wheelchair tennis
- Wheelchair dancing
- The SA Disabled Golf Association will run clinics, demonstrations and competitions on 3 November
- Motivational talks by Oscar Pistorius, our double amputee athlete who won two Paralympic medals in Athens

This year's exhibition will include over 100 displays including entertainment and lifestyle choices: adapted vehicles; ADLS (assisted daily living equipment and service); communication aids; computers; easy reaches; emergency medical supplies; hand cycles; hearing aids; hospital furniture; mobility aids; occupational products; patient handling devices; physio equipment; products and aids for the deaf and blind; prosthetic artificial limbs; showering devices / building products; sports equipment; training institutions; walking sticks; wheelchairs; wheelchair clothing and, much more!
ACSA Disability Conference

The theme of the two-day Conference running alongside the Expo on 1 and 2 November is "Universal Access and Human Rights". The conference will be opened by Dr Essop Pahad, Minister in the Presidency. Themes that will come under the spotlight include health, sports and recreation, transport, buildings and the environment and economic empowerment.

For more information on the event, contact the event organisers. Overall management of the expo and conference: Bette McNaughton of Fair Consultants SA. Tel: (021) 713 3360. Fax: (021) 713 3366. E-mail:
Website: www.fairconsultants.com

Expo Information: Kim Krynauw. Cell: 084-710-6496, E-mail:
Website: www.disabilityexpo.co.za

Media and Publicity: Catherine Larkin. Tel: 011 789-7327. Cell: 083 300 0331. E-mail:


READ MORE Disability 2007 (incorporating Nedbank Disability SA Expo 2007 and the ACSA Disability Conference) / Succeeding at Sport and Reaching for Dreams / Medical care vital to helping and improving the lives of People with Disabilities / Employing Deaf People / Strong Growth in Support for Disability 2007 / Disability / Flyfishing for People with Disabilities / Proper Facilities essential for success

Facebook
Digg