JP\/5\/CHILD<\/p>\n
Children with two impairments taught to fend for themselves<\/p>\n
Slamet Susanto
\nThe Jakarta Post\/Yogyakarta<\/p>\n
For many people, National Children's Day on July 3 is a time to
\nremember children for whom life has not been easy.<\/p>\n
Seven-year-old Faisal Junior is a boy who has never
\nexperienced the freedom of childhood. It was discovered he was
\nautistic as an infant after his self-absorption and inability to
\ninteract set him apart from other children.<\/p>\n
He was placed in the Sayap Ibu Foundation's center in Kalasan,
\nSleman regency, Yogyakarta where he lives with 21 other children
\nand young adults classified as having more than one impairment.<\/p>\n
For most of his waking hours and even in sleep, the little
\nboy's hands are tied with a cord.<\/p>\n
\"If his hands are not tied, he will hammer his ears or knock
\nhis head against the wall until it bleeds. Sometimes we untie the
\ncord, but we have to watch him closely,\" said Musthofa, the male
\nnurse hired to care for Faizal.<\/p>\n
Eko, 20, who also lives in the center, is confined to a
\nwheelchair as he has cerebral palsy. Sapta, 11, has autism and
\npalsy; his hands are tied and he cannot walk.<\/p>\n
Nurses at the center believe the children were born with
\ndisabilities as their mothers were irresponsible in pregnancy.<\/p>\n
\"Most of the children are here due to failed abortions. They
\nwere found under bridges or in public toilets as they were dumped
\nby their parents. We take care of them,\" said Sunaryo, an
\nexecutive of the Sayap Ibu Foundation, which is headquartered in
\nTegal Panggung area, Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
He said the children were not normally diagnosed as having two
\nimpairments until they were six months old.
\n \"The babies are first treated at the Sayap Ibu Foundation in
\nTegal Panggung area, Yogyakarta, which also accommodates healthy
\nchildren. If they are found to have two impairments they are
\ntaken here,\" said Sunaryo.<\/p>\n
The children are taught vocational skills and attend a special
\nschool, though the sessions are not demanding. The aim is to
\nequip them with skills in case they are left in a position where
\nthey have to fend for themselves.<\/p>\n
They are also given physical and hydrotherapy twice a week.<\/p>\n
A nurse at the center, Anik Diyah, expressed confidence in the
\ntherapy.<\/p>\n
Sapta, who was diagnosed with palsy three years ago, she said,
\ncould not walk at all.<\/p>\n
\"But, since starting therapy sessions a few months ago, he can
\nnow walk with the support of a nurse,\" said Anik, who is one of
\n12 nurses at the center.<\/p>\n
Contacted separately, an executive at Sayap Ibu's Tegal
\nPanggung, Lastri Purwasi, said that since the orphanage was
\nestablished in 1978, it accepted 10 to 15 babies a year.<\/p>\n
She said the orphanage was treating three children with
\neyesight problems. \"If they are later found to have another
\nimpediment they will be handed over to the center in Kalasan,\"
\nLastri said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp5child-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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