- A short history
- The hidden catastrophe
- A view at the disabled child
- Focus points of the Liliane Foundation
- Personalized, small-scaled and direct help
- The essence of the assistance
A view at the disabled child
The dIfference in outlook, the rights of the child, and the focus points of the Liliane Foundation
In our world, there are different ideas about " being disabled". Culture, social rules, and economic circumstances dictate the different views. The differences show in the letters we receive daily from the Liliane Foundation mediators in the developing countries. But, there are also similarities.
Fear
Nearly everyone has a fear of the unknown, of something different or not understandable.This fear for "something different" lays the foundation for the negative feelings for people that are disabled; particularly, for children that are born with physical or mental disabilities. Besides these feelings of fear, you frequently find feelings of hopelessness, because the surroundings have no experience with a disabled child, The results of this are rejection and denial.
Economic circumstances
Most of the people in developing countries have their hands full with the daily fight for survival, Scraping together life's essential needs, food , clothing and shelter, All the energy is used in the daily fight to survive. A disabled child in such a situation is an extra burden, Frequently, as a result, you have a child who feels worthless and receives too little attention.
Differences in approach
The emotional and cultural approaches to disabled children differs, Religion, superstition and ignorance frequently an important role. There are regions where people believe that a disabled child is a punishment for the parents, sent from the gods, in these sort of cultures a disabled child is often hidden because of shame, in other cultures, parents of disabled children lean towards over protection. Parents coddle their child in such a way, that he or she is not given a chance at the possibilities to develop, such as washing, dressing, or feeding him or her self. And ye, in even other cultures, people see the disability as fate or a supernatural sign. A medical or other intervention to improve the fate of the child, is generally looked at as evil. Beside this, certain handicaps are seen as contagious. The people in the surroundings forbid their children to mix with disabled children.
Esteem
The nature of the disability usually influences the appreciation for the child in the family and community. A medical or other sort of intervention can change this. For instance, children that suffers from polio, that crawl around on hands and knees, are usually seen and treated with less appreciation. The moment they have the chance to learn to stand up and walk with crutches and braces, their prestige rises.
Rights of the Child
in 1990, the Convention for the Rights of the Child was held. An international treaty was drawn up, declaring the rights of the child. The countries that sign this treaty are committed to comply to, and realize these rights. Article 23 of the treaty deals with the rights of a disabled child, It binds the counties to living special care and attention on mentally and physically disabled children. Also, it gives disabled children the right to specialized education, possibilities for as much independence as possible, and a full participation in society, Furthermore, the countries that signed the treaty, promote the international co-operation and exchange of knowledge in the area of prevention, rehabilitation and education.
UNESCO, also emphasizes the importance of education for disabled children. Everyone is entitled to a broad, balanced and relevant education, Children with disabilities are a major group for whom this right has still to be won. Disabled children have the right for equal opportunity. Equality of opportunity is about recognizing and celebrating difference, and working to ensure that everyone can develop his or her full potential. Disabled children have the right to participate in society. They should not be denied access to education or suffer needless restrictions on the range of education offered or the quality of teaching they experience. Wherever possible, they should be educated alongside their peers. Disabled children have the right for special care. What is more, not only are the technical aspects of rehabilitation important, but also attention and love.
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