Opinions about child disabilities need to change
“People simply are not willing to change their opinions about disabilities and the general attitudes of people stay pretty much the same no matter how much they are concealed.”
All children have things they do well and things that are difficult for them to carry out as a result of a learning disability.
Pathways Roodepoort based in Poortview is a stimulation centre for children and young adults with severe mental and physical disabilities. It was established on 24 August 2004 as a result of the severe shortage of facilities that provide care and stimulation to children with disabilities.
The centre provides those special-needs children who are afflicted with severe mental and physical impairments from all communities with love, care, therapy and stimulation.
According to Sunette Pretorius from Pathways, one of their main objectives is to provide a stable environment for the children where they are treated with love and respect so that they are continually reaching for their highest potential.
When asked to reflect on the challenges that exist in raising and working with a child that has a disability, Sunette admits that all over the world, disabled kids and young adults are living lives of disadvantage.
“Creating awareness regarding disabilities can be as hard as drawing blood from a rock. As absurd as this may sound, it is actually very true.
“People simply are not willing to change their opinions about disabilities and the general attitudes of people stay pretty much the same no matter how much they are concealed,” said Sunette.
