By Karen Bong
KUCHING, June 18: Kuching and Samarahan Division Cerebral Palsy Association (Wishesland Centre) needs RM200,000 to complete two new facilities to provide more treatment options and better intervention for children with cerebral palsy (CP).
Sarawak Mirage Club has stepped forward to help with the fundraising through a charity concert on Sept 20 at Pullman Hotel.
Mirage Club president Datin Amar Kathryn Wee and Wishesland president Chi Poh Yung today paid a courtesy call on Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah to invite her to the event.
“We are very proud and supportive of Wishesland for the services they provide that aim to improve the conditions and limitations as well as to prevent complications for children with CP so that they can improve their quality of life,” Fatimah told a press conference at her office.
Early and appropriate interventions at a young age is crucial, she stressed, to improve their abilities in all aspects, including motor and brain functions, so as to live more meaningful and happier lives.
“I see that children at Wishesland are making progress slowly but surely. We have to support them and their efforts to help not only children living with CP but also their parents,” she said.
Wishesland is seeking RM50,000 for a newly set up Neuro Feedback Centre and RM150,000 for the Boccia Arena for sports activities.
Chi explained that Wishesland provides treatment and rehabilitation programmes such as physiotherapy, living skills, academic, hydrotherapy and a Wishes Garden for children and parents to relax, interact and have fun in an attractive setting.
The Neuro Feedback Centre is the latest addition. It is expected to be operational next month. It is meant to train brain activity by activating passive cells, said Chi.
“The plan for Boccia Arena is in the process of approval. Boccia is a precision ball sport that has become a competitive sport in Paralympic Games. It was originally developed for people suffering from CP,” he explained.
As of today, Wishesland has 120 members, of which 60 are CP children. They have four full-time physiotherapists and one gardener-cum-driver.
Cerebral palsy is a developmental disorder of movement, muscle tone or posture that is caused by damage that occurs to the immature, developing brain, most often before birth.
Statistics show that a child with CP is born once in every 500 births, without any distinction of sex, race, maternal age or social background. The births of CP children are not the fault of their parents.
On the fundraising concert, organising chairwoman Datin Donna Drury-Wee said the performances would feature a choir group from Singapore, international and local soprano singers as well as local artistes such as Acoustic Connection.
The event aims to raise at least RM80,000, and tickets priced at RM80, RM100 as well as for VIPs are on sale now.
Tickets may be purchased from Wishesland Centre in Jalan Crookshank as well as Sarawak Mirage Club. — DayakDaily
