JP/5/CHILD

Children with two impairments taught to fend for themselves

Slamet Susanto The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta

For many people, National Children's Day on July 3 is a time to remember children for whom life has not been easy.

Seven-year-old Faisal Junior is a boy who has never experienced the freedom of childhood. It was discovered he was autistic as an infant after his self-absorption and inability to interact set him apart from other children.

He was placed in the Sayap Ibu Foundation's center in Kalasan, Sleman regency, Yogyakarta where he lives with 21 other children and young adults classified as having more than one impairment.

For most of his waking hours and even in sleep, the little boy's hands are tied with a cord.

"If his hands are not tied, he will hammer his ears or knock his head against the wall until it bleeds. Sometimes we untie the cord, but we have to watch him closely," said Musthofa, the male nurse hired to care for Faizal.

Eko, 20, who also lives in the center, is confined to a wheelchair as he has cerebral palsy. Sapta, 11, has autism and palsy; his hands are tied and he cannot walk.

Nurses at the center believe the children were born with disabilities as their mothers were irresponsible in pregnancy.

"Most of the children are here due to failed abortions. They were found under bridges or in public toilets as they were dumped by their parents. We take care of them," said Sunaryo, an executive of the Sayap Ibu Foundation, which is headquartered in Tegal Panggung area, Yogyakarta.

He said the children were not normally diagnosed as having two impairments until they were six months old. "The babies are first treated at the Sayap Ibu Foundation in Tegal Panggung area, Yogyakarta, which also accommodates healthy children. If they are found to have two impairments they are taken here," said Sunaryo.

The children are taught vocational skills and attend a special school, though the sessions are not demanding. The aim is to equip them with skills in case they are left in a position where they have to fend for themselves.

They are also given physical and hydrotherapy twice a week.

A nurse at the center, Anik Diyah, expressed confidence in the therapy.

Sapta, who was diagnosed with palsy three years ago, she said, could not walk at all.

"But, since starting therapy sessions a few months ago, he can now walk with the support of a nurse," said Anik, who is one of 12 nurses at the center.

Contacted separately, an executive at Sayap Ibu's Tegal Panggung, Lastri Purwasi, said that since the orphanage was established in 1978, it accepted 10 to 15 babies a year.

She said the orphanage was treating three children with eyesight problems. "If they are later found to have another impediment they will be handed over to the center in Kalasan," Lastri said.