LUSITO School for the disabled hosted a School Health Week which ran from October 15 to 19 to establish a holistic health programme to promote mental, physical and emotional learner wellbeing in Regents Park.
“We believe in maintaining balance in all aspects of our learners’ lives. Our numerous activities are aimed at lifting their spirits and stimulating their minds,” said Lusito principal, Deolinda Molina.
This health week was to counterbalance the lifestyle choices made by many families in a technology-driven world, the world where young people are glued to their screens and enjoy fast-food, an easier choice for parents who live demanding lives.
Lusito learners benefit from a host of co-curricular activities such as speech therapy, physiotherapy, reflexology, hydrotherapy, pottery, baking and music.
“Many of these activities are aimed at getting them to move their bodies and express themselves. It is especially important for learners confined to wheelchairs to move and keep their musculature strong,” added Molina.
Diet is another aspect the school takes seriously. “We provide our learners with a balanced meal every day, which includes a protein, a carbohydrate and vegetables. We also monitor their intake of food. If they don’t eat enough, we notify their parents so that they can make sure they eat something at supper time.”
Lusito does not put sugar into any of the beverages and serves water rather than juice. “We try to encourage parents to cut sugar out of their children’s diets, but of course we cannot monitor this. We also give our learners lots of time to eat.
“Some of our learners cannot feed themselves and receive their nutrition via gastric feeding tubes. Where learners have specific dietary requirements, parents are required to supplement as we operate on a tight budget,” said Molina.
Learners also spend time outdoors. The school has created a vegetable garden where they help with growing their own food. Whatever is not used in the school’s kitchen is packaged and sold to parents or visitors.
“Some of our learners are hyper-sensitive, which means they are sensitive to light, touch and sound. To help them overcome their fears, we have created a sensory room. Here they can experience different textures, sounds, colours and lighting,” said Molina.
The curriculum incorporates perceptual and life orientation programmes, including listening, reading, mathematics, personal development, social skills, survival and safety skills, independent living skills, work skills and entrepreneurial skills, among others.
“Our learners’ mental health is just as important as their physical and emotional health. Most of our teachers have been at the school many years and have developed meaningful relationships with the learners and their families. Most importantly, everyone who teaches here knows they are contributing to a better quality of life for learners and their families and this is deeply satisfying,” concluded Molina.
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