Disability Types

There are several disability types and the disability may be inborn or acquired. Inborn disability may be due to certain deformities which may be caused by diseases or some injuries to the unborn baby. Disability may also hereditary, that is passed on from the mother or father to the offspring.

Our concern on this article is cerebral palsy. One of the main causes of cerebral palsy is lack of oxygen to the brain during pregnancy or just at birth. Other causes of disabilities include spinal cord injury, brain damage, eye damage hearing disability and cognitive disability.

Cerebral palsy affects the brain and it is a very complicated issue. However, from a physical point of view the main types of disability relating to cerebral palsy may include disability which affects the following:

• Arm or arms

• Leg or legs

• Disability for the whole body including the arms and legs.

One may suffer from one or two or more disability types and it can lower someone’s self confidence. However, one can gain control of his or her life through use of modern devices

Our daughter’s condition affects the whole body including arms and legs. She uses a wheel chair for out door mobility and in the home she moves around on her kneels.

There are several modern devices which can help a person with cerebral palsy. These devices include wheel chairs, callipers, clutches and other devices for mobility. Other devices in the area of education can be the use of computers for learning.

In Zambia a non government Organisation called Appropriate Paper Technology (APTRER) was established in 1990 to promote mobility aids using recycled paper for physically challenged children, especially those with cerebral palsy.

Our daughter is using a special desk for school and a standing frame from APTERS.

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