SAMARTHYA provides therapeutic services and transfers therapeutic and related skills to people with disabilities and their families. SAMARTHYA enables PWD's to lead independent lives, and more importantly to become independent of SAMARTHYA itself.

Throughout the year, clinical assessments were conducted at weekly clinics in Raichur, Sirwar, Deodurg, Koppal and Haliyal. The SAMARTHYA assessment comprises of three steps:

assessing the strengths and needs of the disabled person;

planning the initial programme with the family; and

working with the family to help them continue rehabilitation work at home.

Highlights 2002

Collaborative Camp :

Fifty seven children were assessed and given advice on physiotherapy, aids and appliances, and corrective surgery at an assessment and treatment camp conducted in Deodurg by Dr. Uday Kumar and Dr. Deepak from Sindhi Hospital, Bangalore.

NR Therapy Used for Cerebral Palsy :

A significant achievement was the use of Neurological Reorganisation (NR) therapy for children with cerebral palsy. This package comprises initiation and training of mothers’ groups, exposure visits, nutrition education, design of a seating chair and home-based follow up services.

Child Management Workshop at Sirwar :

A child management workshop was facilitated at Sirwar under the guidance of Manohar MR of AWMD, Mysore. The training discussed the present status of interventions and goals for the future.

KEY LEARNINGS:

Short-stay camps allow parents and children with disabilities to interact in a ‘care’ environment, and ensure that parents take on more responsibility for their children, allowing them to resolve issues as they emerge.

Before, and after! Shruti. M, 5 years.

 

IN THE PIPELINE...

...setting up of Disability Resource Centres to provide comprehensive services such as clinical assessments, aids and appliances, care and support services, vocational training and information and guidance.

“He will never be able to walk again,” said the doctors at Manvi about Siddanna Gowda from Madgeri village, Raichur. Diagnosed with LM (polio) at the age of four, Sidda joined school at seven and used a manually-operated push cart to move around.

“I visited Atanur and saw Ramesh, who had a worse problem than my son. Earlier, he used to crawl around but now he walks everywhere with a crutch,” says Sidda’s mother.

“Ramesh’s aunt told me about the SAMUHA SAMARTHYA clinic. That’s when we decided to take Sidda to the centre” she explains.
After examining Sidda, SAMARTHYA recommended corrective surgery. Sidda underwent a hip and knee surgery at Sindhi Hospital, Bangalore.
He was then given physiotherapy and caliper training. Today, Sidda walks independently using crutches and calipers.

“When my son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, I thought that we had reached a dead end. The people at the SAMUHA clinic suggested some exercises for neck control; they even designed a special chair on which he could sit. They ensured regular follow up with home-based visits. My son now manages to sit straight and even stands with support. ” ~ Parashuram’s mother from Hasesepre village, Raichur