Become a neigbour's friend!

Let me share a personal experience from my professional life of 40 years.

I got drawn into the specialty of caring for children with various neuro-developmental needs from 1982 through an unusual experience in life, when I did not have formal training or skills in this field. Soon thereafter, I got trained in this area and made it my preferred area of specialty with post doctoral research.

When I come across children with weakness of the hands or inability to move hands due to increased tone in the muscles, I notice them making intense efforts to perform any activity. The above photo of a child attempting to hold a rattle in the hand involves efforts involving  hands, face, neck, etc. It is as though the body is resisting any movement of the body. 

When muscles contract intensely like this it is painful and exhausting for the child. The mother would find it difficult to hold the child in her lap as his body would extend backwards while moving to do anything with hands. Even the mother or the care giver would get tired as such stiffening of the body could take place during feeding, bathing, carrying, or on hearing a loud sound which would make the child startle. Although some medicines, muscle relaxation exercises, proper positioning of the bod, etc. can reduce the stiffness of the muscles and give some respite, most children will have to learn to live with the stiffness of the muscles. 

There will be one or more families having children with special needs, living among us in our street or as our neighbours. These families have several challenges to cope with- the stress of having a child with special needs; frequent medical needs which make them visit hospital often; physical and emotional exhaustion; financial stress; the needs of other children in the family, etc. From my experience, most families in such a setting feel lonely and helpless, not knowing whom to turn to for friendship and help.  

Let me suggest that we look out for such families in our neighborhood and enquire from them, how we can be a support to them! This is one of the ways to make our residential areas neighbor friendly.

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)