- By Nadia Hussain

Abdullah was a 10-pound baby who was incredibly p-0 to deliver, but the doctors guiding me through labour advised against performing a C-section. Insisting that a ‘normal’ delivery was the way forward, my son came into the world stillborn, after many hours of struggle.


The doctors then broke medical procedure and tried to revive him eight minutes later. Without a thought to the repercussions of this act, they managed to bring Abdullah back, but by this time, his brain was badly damaged due to lack of oxygen. My naivety, and the carelessness of the doctors who took charge changed two lives forever; Abdullah’s, and mine as his mother.

My son was diagnosed with Quadriplegia, the worst kind of CP that affects all four limbs. When I learnt about Abdullah's condition, I researched all that I could about CP and its associated risks and complications.

I flew my son to Dublin to one of the best hospitals I could find. The doctors there outlined Abdullah's prognoses and told me he would not live longer than seven years. This, for me, was the p-0est news I had ever received, but I decided to take on this reality as a challenge, as pure joy.

I put faith in my child and took it upon myself to give him the best life I possibly could. From the start, I knew I had a choice; either give up and continue to live with an unending sense of despair, or learn to cherish each and every moment I had left with him.

I knew had to keep myself strong for his sake, but in all honesty, the initial period was filled with grief. I wasn't prepared for any of this, but time, experience and yes, mistakes, taught me how to give Abdullah the care he needed.

The difficulties accompanying CP are far too many to list here, but the affection my child bestowed on me was a constant gift that gave me the courage to overcome the p-0est challenges, the most trying moments. In all this, I learnt a lot about myself as well – I learnt that a mother’s love knows no defeat.

Abdullah was my blessing in so many ways. Conventional truth says children who are diagnosed with CP have little understanding of their surroundings. I couldn't disagree more; Abdullah's sense of awareness was tremendous. He laughed when he was happy and cried when he was sad. He was quiet when he knew I was feeling down; he was receptive in many ways.

As my love for Abdullah grew, so did the difficulties. The stiffness of his muscles grew worse. His diet was ever complicated. I had to regularly look after his cleanliness and movement since he was incapable of any movement of his own. He loved to eat but that soon became difficult due to regular attacks of bronchitis. A peg tube had to be used to aid his digestion.

These complications are just some of the issues associated with CP babies that one has to be prepared for. Along with this constant care comes the emotional turmoil that neither research nor doctors can fully prepare you for. The only secret to making it through is having a positive outlook; to have hope.

My son’s life expectancy was seven years but I did not give up on his little soul, and with his bravery and help, Abdullah and I shared the best 11 years of my life.

He passed away peacefully two years ago due to heart failure.

In our shared experience, I learnt that medicine has done a lot for us and we should be thankful, but no matter what happens, parents should not lose hope. I know many children with CP who are living fulfilled lives, going to school and hanging out with kids. Every child is special in their own way and CP children are no different.

So here is a prayer to all the CP children, and to their parents who work tirelessly to make life worth living. Don't lose hope, no matter how bad it gets; our children, like all children, deserve the best.

Hamza Yaqoob's tiny toes work steadily on the keyboard. The letters slowly form sentences to a short essay: "Myself".


When Yaqoob first started typing with his feet, his father admonished the school staff at the "degrading" exercise. As days passed, however, the admonishment turned into astonishment and before long Yaqoob had performed tasks on the computer his father would never have imagined his son was capable of.

Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (CP), the eight-year-old Yaqoob, who appeared on national television along with his proud father earlier this year, is one of 120 students enrolled at the Al-Umeed Rehabilitation Centre (Aura) in Karachi.

CP is caused by a non-progressive brain injury or malformation before, during, or immediately after birth and affects both the physical and mental state of the child. As a consequence of trauma or damage to the brain, the child's body movement and balance, vision, hearing and speech are affected. Intellectual impairments and seizures also accompany CP but each case is unique to the individual.

Yaqoob, who has 'severe' CP, suffers from movement dysfunction and speech impairment. His hand functions are very restricted, so communicating in sign language was not a possibility for him. But over the last six months he has been trained to express himself using a foot-level keyboard, touch-typing every single letter using his toes.

His therapists hope, his brain will be 'trained' in a way that the undamaged parts take over the functions of some of the affected parts and eventually make him a little independent. And that is essentially what Aura is striving for and something which makes it a one-of-a-kind school in Pakistan for children with special needs.

"Our purpose is not to only focus on academics. The primary goal is to make them self-sufficient so their own families do not think of them as a burden," says Dr Habiba Hasan, a pediatrician and one of the founders of Aura.

Aura teaches everything that regular schools do but the classroom setting differs considerably.

A classroom typically accommodates 20 to 30 children but at Aura, a single class does not have more than eight children, since individual attention is needed. The study tables run along the wall rather than filling the middle of the room, for extra support.

All of the children are placed on individually tailored seating aids that are adjusted before they leave for their classroom. They are supported by varying equipment; belts, foamed dividers, depending on the muscle spasm.

"We have different pacers for the kids depending on their muscular requirement. They are changed after every three hours to avoid muscle tightening and stiffness," said Huma Khan, senior therapist at Aura.

Some are seated on a horse-rider, a tool used to separate legs that are crossed together; a spine wedge is used for strengthening the back, and negator for crouched knees that can help a child balance while walking. With their aids on, they are then taught according to their individual curriculum.

Since the injury lies in the brain, the mental capacity to absorb and retain information varies in every child. Those with lower intellectual capability are taught how to 'perceive' images and objects through flashcards. Those with better understanding are taught English, Mathematics and Urdu at an advanced level. Children who have a better hand grip are encouraged to write with the aid of a pencil holder to control shaking.

"Most children with CP have speech problems and they usually communicate in sign language. Some of them also have impaired hearing which makes it difficult for us to teach them," says Safia Sultana, an academic at Aura.

"Understanding them and making them understand us sometimes becomes the biggest hurdle towards progress."

The beginner class is named 'searcher debutant', in which children with the lowest IQ are placed.

"In our most basic class we have children with the 'mental age' of four to five months who require the most care," says Mariam Abu Bakar, also an academic.

"Our focus with these children is to improve their physical impairment. They have to be strapped on to avoid falling because their motor reaction is weak; those who can't walk are also placed on the tilt table."

A tilt table is designed to put weight on the legs. The child is strapped on and the table is made to stand straight.

Other than academics and physical therapies, another aspect that is stressed upon is Activities of Daily Life (ADL). As is the case of young Fatima who has minor CP. She could walk, talk and understand. But needed to be trained and retrained on how to manage ADL.

"Our foremost priority is to make the child capable of performing ADL which include basics like getting dressed, washing hands, eating and 'buttoning' (a piece cloth with buttons is stitched on a canvas and handed to each kid for this exercise)."

"Learning these basics is a step towards development," says Shabana Nasar, the principal at Aura.

The lunch hour, too, is a very vital learning session where children are encouraged to eat and chew without help.

"We do have customised cutlery like spoon holders for children with weak grip. Food is added depending on the weight the child can carry which can lessen the tremors in their hands," she adds.

A popular notion is that children with disability should be gradually taught everything that a normal child can do. The therapists, however, disagree.

"We do not focus our attention on what the child is incapable of doing, we work on their talents and polish those so they can excel in them," says Nasar, who has a Masters degree in Neuromuscular Rehabilitation and over two decades of experience at Aura.

"Children who can't walk at all, we work to make their hands strong enough that they can propel their wheelchair themselves."

Kashif Saleem just has one wish: to drive a car "very, very fast."


Saleem's new found passion is not surprising to his therapists at Aura, after all he is their "star athlete". The 22-year-old, who was diagnosed with mild CP, competed in the Special Olympics in Karachi and narflexoldly missed out on winning the top prize in the wheelchair race.

When he first came in to Aura, Saleem could not propel his wheelchair and had short-term memory. Twelve years down the line, he has not only mastered control over his physical ailment but has gone beyond it. But Saleem's talent is not restricted to the track alone.

After years of perception training, it was discovered Saleem had a keen eye for art and nature as well. He was drawing sceneries and even sketching animals until one day his work was displayed at an art competition, winning him a prize. His therapists at Aura were also of the opinion that art would give the young boy a tool to express himself.

There is one other thing. Saleem is a bit of a mathematics whiz.

His quick mental math coupled with an interest in buying and selling caught the attention of his teachers at Aura who decided to try a novel approach to put this skill to practical use. So now every day in a 10-minute exercise, Saleem handles the 'finances' at the school's little tuck shop which is used by the faculty.

"By making him in charge of the tuck shop the aim is to make him feel that he can be relied on and is self-sufficient," says Nasar.

"Saleem's father is a businessman and with step-by-step training he can assist him in the future."

We would ask her questions in a way that she was able to answer with a 'yes' or 'no'. Three small gentle taps would mean approval and repeated five or more loud taps meant disapproval." Saima Shafiq, the computer teacher, says proudly of her student Sara Bano.


Bano has Athetoid Cerebral Palsy which affects her muscle tone and body movements. With impaired speech and rigid hand muscles, communicating with her was a major challenge.

Her therapist and teachers worked with different ideas to find a way for Bano to be able to express herself and at times a lack of progress dimmed their spirits.

"Teachers do get hopeless and depressed at times when the children are unable to respond or retain the information that is repeatedly taught to them," principal Nasar says.

"A normal child would learn within days, but this kind of education can take years."

However, the emotional attachment to the kids means that some teachers are just not willing to give up.

"It has been seven years since I joined and I have seen remarkable progress in children," says Huma Khan who is a senior therapist.

"We have formed an emotional attachment with them and even a little progress keeps us going."

And so after devoted attention for two years, therapists were finally able achieve what they did with Bano.

After trying various brain stimulation activities with her, Bano finally responded using her feet.

Recognising this ability, Bano's computer teachers began using a foot-level keyboard attached to a computer to communicate with the little girl. And just like Hamza Yaqoob, the little girl too has progressed to a level where she can form full sentences to express herself.

It is achievements like these that lift the spirits of faculty at Aura, some of whom have been working at the school for years and do not plan on leaving anytime soon.

Sadia Siddique was delivered without any complications.

In a society where disability is rarely accommodated, it was a very tough beginning for Siddique, who demonstrated great aptitude for learning.

"I enrolled at Aura in 1989; I was part of their first batch. At that time, they only offered therapy, later it became a school," said Siddique.

"When I came here, I could not speak at all and I had no confidence. There was a strong feeling inside of me that I lacked something."

With physical therapy, there was a marked improvement in Sadia's speech which gave her a confidence boost.

"I can now have entire conversations; my eight years at Aura changed my life."

For Siddique, the decision to leave Aura came with an aspiration to get further education and build a career. So she decided to prepare herself for Matriculation exams.

"My tutor opted for rote learning as his teaching style. This did not work out for me at all and that is not the way I had planned to gain knowledge and move ahead. So I decided to give a shot at O levels."

It took Siddique six years to prepare for the final exams because she could not find a tutor patient enough to teach her entire courses.

"Then I found Sir Moizuddin. He taught me Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Statistics and Accounting. He also found me an English tutor. His support was endless."

The preparation for the exams was not the only challenge; putting her case forward to the British Council became the next hurdle. Siddique wanted extra time because her hand movement was slow but she did not want a writer as her aid, nor could she sit in an examination hall.

"I could not trust a helper to understand what I was trying to say since I have speech problems. And I wanted breaks during the exam because it is difficult for me to sit in one position for very long."

The British Council readily gives 25% extra time to students who have minor disabilities, but Siddique's case was complex. "I was given 50% extra time the first time I sat for the English exam. But even this was not enough for me because there was a lot of writing involved. I ended up with a U grade. I was extremely disappointed."

Understanding her impairment then, she was awarded 100% extra time for her re-exam and this time she secured 64% and passed all her subjects. "Throughout the six-hour-long exam, my sister would sit with me inside the room and the rest of my family waited outside. For the eight subjects that I appeared for, all the struggle and leg work was done by my mother and sisters."

Siddique's achievement is commendable but since there are no institutes in Pakistan for higher education which can facilitate students with severe disabilities like cerebral palsy she has hit a dead end.

"I do not want to bother my family now any more. I cannot go to an institute because I have to walk with support, and there are many other problems. My family and Aura made the base for me. That is all I need."

Dr. Habiba Hasan always advises parents to not hesitate in seeking help for their children when they are diagnosed with CP.

"If they are brought in at one or two years of age, their muscles are considerably relaxed. But usually those who come in are aged eight and above and by that time they are burnt out. Their muscles have stiffened and there isn't much we can do."

The best possible treatment for children with CP is early intervention. However, the social stigma in society regarding this impairment prevents many parents from seeking treatment immediately, often confining them to their home.

Even after multiple therapies, training and making these children feel independent, it is still difficult for children to be fully accepted and conduct meaningful interaction with people.

"To integrate them back in society they have to be given exposure to the outside world. Similarly, people need to accept that there are special children who need not be stared at or treated awkwardly," says Dr Hasan.

Aura organised a number of field trips in the past year to events like the dolphin show and the flower exhibition and took the kids out to the State Bank and the local markets to make the children familiar with social etiquettes.

"They do develop complexes and behavioral problems, which is why we always refer a psychologist after they leave school," said Dr Hasan.

"Especially during their teenage they have sexual problems leading to aggressive behaviour."

With criticisms, reproach and unfamiliarity surrounding any disability, it becomes equally important for parents to get counseling.

"I have been a pediatrician for 40 years and quite often I hear that you must have sinned to have such a child. I reassure the parents that no, you have been given a child who cannot commit any sin because he or she cannot do any harm to anybody. You have been given an angel, try to serve this angel and you will be rewarded in this world and the next; just collect your rewards," she says.

Permission sought for all videos and photos used in this article


Credits


Reporting


Yumna Rafi


Text editing/vetting


Taimur Sikander


Jahanzaib Haque

Video Production

Yumna Rafi


Muhammad Umar

Photography

Muhammad Umar

Post Production

Muhammad Umar

Creative Director

Shameen Khan

Developer

Nauman Junaid

Project Manager and Director

Shameen Khan


Taimur Sikander

Comments (53) Closed
Farida
Oct 01, 2014 03:55pm
I salute the courage of women and wish as a society we could address the issue for these kids.
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buck
Oct 01, 2014 04:19pm
In tears...I see god in this lady and in abdullah...
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An old guy
Oct 01, 2014 04:20pm
As a father of two girls, I was touched by this article. Can Dawn also do a feature on Stammering in small kids, as our eldest daughter suffers from it and we have yet to find the reason and remedy for it.
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Saraz
Oct 01, 2014 04:26pm
amazing story. lot of hard work obvious.
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Huma
Oct 01, 2014 04:27pm
Yes our special children are angels. If others do not understand that, it is their loss not ours. No doubt the journey is hard, but the rewards are tenfold: pure unconditional love, a sense gratitude for all of life's blessings and joy in little things amongst many others.
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shuaib
Oct 01, 2014 04:42pm
God bless all of you for developing this. Very informative and very helpful.
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Sohaib
Oct 01, 2014 04:42pm
An extremely moving piece. My younger brother, a CP kid, lost his life late last year after 31 amazing years. So I could relate to almost everything written in this article. Great effort bringing a social issue forward. Well done
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Sohaib
Oct 01, 2014 04:45pm
This doctor is a blessing for mankind
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Nadia
Oct 01, 2014 05:08pm
@buck thank you so much for the lovely words. Keep me in your prayers
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Taimur Zaman
Oct 01, 2014 05:10pm
Great to see centers of medical excellence and quality care can be set up in Pakistan. For a patient with chronic illness, a well-read family member is as important as a qualified doctor
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Rida
Oct 01, 2014 05:12pm
Great and moving article .I salute to the kids who have CP and to the parents and teachers.
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Qadeer
Oct 01, 2014 05:25pm
I was carried away with the story..I pray Allah that the soul of the little angel rest in peace and grant courage to his mother. No doubt she had got the strongest heart than any mother in the World.
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A
Oct 01, 2014 05:46pm
What an amazing article, eye-opener for everyone. I am in tears. Please say a prayer for the kids and their families, and be kind to them. As a sibling of a disabled person, one of the biggest pet peeves when we went out was always the 'stares' of general public towards him. Please, please, please be kind, be loving, and make it easy for someone with disability and their families, they are already going through a lot. Nadia, you are an amazing person and an inspiration to everyone who has a family member with disability.
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Shahid
Oct 01, 2014 05:51pm
Children with special needs are as much angels as normal children. We must take care of them and society must accept them as another kid with no issues. It is very easy to talk, but parent who take care of these special kids go through so much challenges, the only thing they need from others is a word of encouragement.
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Tangerine
Oct 01, 2014 06:28pm
I'm speechless and a sense of profound gratitude for these people is engulfing me. They will surely be rewarded for their good deeds by Allah. We the normal human beings cannot even imagine what they are doing for humanity. Thank you so much. Having a child with CP is a tragedy in itself but thank you for lightening and sharing it with them.
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Tanveer Alam
Oct 01, 2014 06:28pm
hats on to Abdallah's mother and all the mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters who is blessed with these angles. I have my son with by birth CP (static), Allah is very kind to bless us with him, our whole life revolves around him and he is a mashallah shining star. May Allah bless all, especially parents who are raising there children in Pakistan as whenever we go, it is impossible to even use his wheel chair on the foot paths..., Governments should pay attentions & gets prayers...., Tanveer
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Ifti
Oct 01, 2014 06:28pm
Commendable piece. Salute to all mothers and May Allah bless every child with health.
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Nadia
Oct 01, 2014 06:38pm
@A Thank you.....I miss my son a lot. Its still unbelievable at times!!
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Dr Shafiq Chughtai
Oct 01, 2014 06:44pm
That is mother !!!
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Natalia Islam
Oct 01, 2014 07:16pm
WOW. Good work. Love how all stories are compiled and The hard work which you guys have put in is obvious. Keep it up :)
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HK
Oct 01, 2014 07:20pm
During the third year of MBBS, I came across a CP child at the hospital ER, in a critical condition. Belonging to the less privileged class of our society, the way that child was NOT treated, the way his mother appeared so teary yet unable to bear the cost of even managing drugs, and the way he was 'hurled off' in a taxi to a government hospital, broke my heart. He needed to be put on a ventilator. Later, I learned that CP children are no-code, i.e. if they are dying, you don't do the CPR. I wonder if that child was given the chance to survive at the government hospital? I wonder what must be going through that poor mother's mind, who on top of taking care of her child, had to see him engulfed slowly by death that was only brought closer because of her poverty?
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keith
Oct 01, 2014 07:23pm
I congratulate DAWN news for very good article these kids need love and kindness thanks to the parents specially to the mothers who go through this. I have visually impaired son born at 24 weeks, was 1.5 lb at birth. my wife I love her was by his side 24/7 for four months in ICU in hospital loving care by the parents brings joy to the special needs kids. my son lost his sight but by GOD's grace he finished his degree. BE positive don't think its a curse on the child love (fathers) love the kids they gifts from GOD.
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Ahmed Shaikh
Oct 01, 2014 07:28pm
I salute you! Pakistan is proud of you!
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jawad
Oct 01, 2014 07:29pm
Now at this age of information and technology these issue must still too much far from general public .here i suggested plz bring it on through other media in local language where other can also get benefit from this knowledge and awareness the case and effect of CP
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Armana Shah
Oct 01, 2014 08:16pm
I am a proud mother of Akber Ali a student of Aura the tallest one u can see in the videos , when Akber came to this center in 2003 he was on wheelchair now Alhamolillah he walks on walker or by holding one hand , I am really thankful to each n every person related to this rehab center , Dr Ruby Abbasi the founder of the centre is my inspiration , may God give all of them success & I also want to appeal to all ppl out there please send your Cp child to take rehab asap .all these children r angels n a gift of God & thank u God for chosing me to serve an angel too :)
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Mohhammd Salim Khalid
Oct 01, 2014 08:21pm
All my best wishes, love, and respect for Abdullah and parents . I am father of Ibrahim Salim (1992-2009). He was an Autistic/ADHD child. Unfortunately, expired in an accident. I can feel pain of all the parents of special children in my heart. Wish the best of luck for special parents.
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Asma
Oct 01, 2014 08:51pm
May ALLAH grant all of these children and their patient parents the highest reward in JANNAH! Ameen
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Sana
Oct 01, 2014 09:22pm
@An old guy You should look into speech therapy, and look for a qualified speech therapist, that will help.
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Amjad Ali Mastoi
Oct 01, 2014 09:45pm
Very Remarkable Braveness of the lady to hanging up such the burning issue. it will open the eyes of the people who are not caring the special ones.
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Rashid
Oct 01, 2014 10:43pm
This is what stands Dawn apart from the rest! Great coverage, here's hoping the government is moved to educate people in the rural areas who are at most risk
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Mehkan
Oct 01, 2014 10:47pm
I am left in tears... This much of courage and love that parents have bestowed on kids, can make them conquer their problems and their fears... May Allah bless you all. Thank you Nadia for sharing your story and thank you Dawn for this coverage! God bless!
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Tariq
Oct 01, 2014 11:05pm
I have no words to express my appreciation for the staff. I'll do whatever I can to help this instituion.
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Nadia
Oct 01, 2014 11:23pm
Thank you all for the lovely words and your prayers, writing about Abdullah was tough, bought back so many good bad and painful memories. This article is for all those parents who have and are going through somewhat the same experience as mine, it's tough I know....it's heartbreaking in so many ways but we all should be blessed that Allah chose us to look after these children as they are a blessing in our home. This article is a tribute to my son whose birthday is coming up on the 4th oct, he would have been 13yrs....will miss him terribly especially on his big day but I'm sure he will have much more fun up there doing all the amazing things he couldn't do down here. Love you my son. Nadia. Abdullah's mom
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Nabeel Khan
Oct 02, 2014 01:18am
@Nadia .Kudoos to moms like you as i come across them on a weekly basis. I am a Health Consultant working for New York State and specialize in dealing with CP kids mainly. I would like to share many new non-medical technologies and DME for suck kids to assist in their ADL's at home or in school/workplace. Kindly let me know who i can contact at Aura or any institute in Pakistan to further help. ablemodifications@gmail.com
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Nadia
Oct 02, 2014 03:04am
@Mehkan. Thank you so much for your message. Keep me in your prayers.
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Hassan
Oct 02, 2014 05:46am
In tears & totally speechless! Can't even imagine what it feels like to lose your child. Nadia your a brave mum & you did your part well. Allah knows best & He will reward you & other parents alike. It's definitely very tough to write this but your blessed as the chosen one! May Allah give your strength to all parents. My prayers are with you always!
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Ankush
Oct 02, 2014 08:32am
Thank you for sharing this.
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Raza Naqvi
Oct 02, 2014 09:00am
My hats off to moms, dads, caregivers, and careproviders for their courageous selfless dedication to take care of the loved ones affected by CP. It is an emotional rollercoaster journey filled with frustration, broken hearts, broken spirits, and broken bodies. Lives never be the same, once known that loved one is afflicted with CP. As I was completing my dream education MBA, passed the Certified Public Accountancy exam, and on the verge of starting my career, Allah blessed me an angel, later diagnosed with CP. He was in intensive care, and I was busy in the job interviews. Initially, I did not comprehend the gravity of his medical condition. After few days, completing diagnostic tests, doctors told me diagnosis and prognosis. I was hit in the stomach. Suddenly darkness was every where. Social workers and councilors explained me what I can expect in future. Doctors told me, my angel may not survive, Hasan needs very special care. Social worker advised me to give up my son for adoption or to state to take care of him, because my professional career path may not provide time to take care him. I told her, I will answer tomorrow. I went back to the hospital next day, told her, Lord gave to me this angel and I will take care of him. I never look back MBA, accountancy; devoted my life to my son. I have fabulous wonderful joyous 18 years with him, till he got his final call from Allah. We went places, did hiking, biking, swimming, games, all with his quadriplegic body but energetic spirit. His condition started declining in his last year of life. It has been 7 years of his crossover, I still feel his aroma around me. What I learned and wanted pass forward; enjoy and cherish every moment you have with your loved one, never feel pity. Love them, hug them. They may not respond, but they can feel the warmth and positive energy. All of you are the best of the best, working in very challenging environment ( social and financial constraints). May Allah bless and reward you all.
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Nasir
Oct 02, 2014 09:50am
My Sympathies with Abdullah's Mother, I understand the pain as we have the same child fighting with CP[HIE] totally because of Doctor's negligence.
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Nadeem
Oct 02, 2014 12:44pm
This article really open our eyes that we have perceived such cases in normal way. I really like to say thanks to those parents and guardians who handle such cases and feel them as a normal person which indirectly giving them long life.
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Zoh
Oct 02, 2014 01:07pm
I am deeply touched by this remarkable article, hence my brother is also CP and I couldn't explain how thankful I am to have him in my life! I pray for all people with various of disabilities, May Allah bless them.
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Salman
Oct 02, 2014 02:23pm
father of a healthy son, I salute the parents and teachers taking care of these kids. Reading this article and looking at the pictures of these lively kids made me cry. May Allah help us all Amin
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Akbar
Oct 02, 2014 03:09pm
One word for this great writeup: Awareness!
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Hasnain
Oct 02, 2014 11:11pm
Interface of the writing is awesome as well :)
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Maha
Oct 03, 2014 12:42am
Thank you for sharing this inspiring story
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Nauman
Oct 03, 2014 05:27am
A great effort by the whole team of DAWN to make this remarkable story and bringing this for general public.
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ahtisham
Oct 03, 2014 09:55pm
i also have a son named ABDULLAH he is also a cp child but little cp. i want to see him run walk and a lots of punk but it is my ALLAH's decision it is my prey to my greatest ALLAH PAK please give the courage and force to every parent who have a cp child.it is never ease for both mother and father
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Dr. Habiba Hasan
Oct 03, 2014 11:29pm
I am the paediatrician at AURA, and would like to learn from your experience of handling CP children there. Have noted your email and will write to your shortly.
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Zoha
Oct 17, 2014 06:41pm
Mama I read your article I'm so proud of you and I love you so much.
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Zaara
Oct 17, 2014 06:42pm
He was my brother I miss him alot
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Zaara
Oct 18, 2014 01:21pm
mama I read it I am so proud of all the work that you have done
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Adi
Oct 30, 2014 02:37pm
Simply speechless. InshaALLAH, ALLAH will give them (parents, their children & such institute) more courage & strength.
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Mohammed Jawaid Iqbal
Nov 03, 2014 10:54pm
People who live and work abroad often think there is no future in Pakistan. This is because for most of us the goal is to earn money and live care free live. But there are still many people in Pakistan who devout their lives to let other live. May Allah( SWT) bless AURA and its dedicated team
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