In 1996 a mother carried her 12-year-old boy on her back into the Rehab Centre. He was tall and heavy for her to carry, and she laid him on the floor and told our Rehab staff that he can do nothing.

 ‘He lies on the floor all day at home and has lots of wriggly, jerky movements that he cannot control. What can I do?’ 

Our staff recognized that her boy had Athetoid Cerebral Palsy and helped Yeaqub’s Mother to sit him up. The Lamb workshop made him a chair which he learnt to sit in but because he moved so much the safety belts holding would often brake and needed replacing. However, the chair helped Yaqoub bring his hands forward where he could see them instead of being held out to the side and he gradually learnt to control the movement in his arms. Our physiotherapists taught his mother to sit on the floor behind Yaqoub, place a large bowl of rice in front of him and hand over hand help him to pick up some rice and bring it to his mouth. At first the rice went everywhere but slowly, slowly he learnt how to feed himself with rice and bread. Drinking water is still difficult even today. Then slowly with our help, Yacoub’s Mother taught him how to dress himself and he learnt how to move himself about the floor by bottom shuffling. His sitting balance continued to improve, and the workshop made him a low trolley/wheelchair which he

learnt to self-propel. Today he is independently mobile! Yeaqub could not speak but together with three others he attended a sign language class. Today he can easily communicate with

everyone using signs. He is very bright.

 His family adapted their house with a low toilet, shower, sleeping place and a ramp so that he is fully independent in his self-care of eating, toileting, washing and dressing. He has a lot of good friends including the van gari driver who brings him to work each day. After work he is often found in the tea shop chatting with his friends. Yeaqub is 36 years old, and he works together with us. His movements and his gardening skills increased gradually over the years. The provided training, occupational and physiotherapy and regular physical work strengthened his weakened arms and legs and, according to his mother, he is less withdrawn and has increased his mobility. He even created his own little business of buying and selling corn. He dreams of having his own little shop one day. He uses a mobile phone and is well respected within his community.

Yacoub’s story is just one example of how a life can be changed if parents are given a little help to understand their child’s condition. Families and communities need to be involved in making places accessible for people with disabilities. The skills that he has learnt through a regular work routine cannot be underestimated and Yeaqubs self-esteem has grown significantly. Today he is confident and a valued member of his community.