"It is so important that you know your rights! You need to know what the government must provide for your children with disabilities!" Mira* told the group of five mothers and children gathered at our office.
Mira works with a German company who are supplying quality wheelchairs, prosthesis and assistive devices to people with disabilities in Kazakhstan. She also helps mothers to navigate the somewhat complicated government system which would allow them to apply for a quality German device which is specifically measured for their child, free from the government. She also explains how often they are allowed to apply for new devices because as the child grows so they need bigger equipment.
We saw Mira as a peace maker. Often the government system feels so difficult for mothers to get anything from. They spend all their time caring for their child with a disability that there’s no energy left to fight a system. Mira came as a peacemaker between the mothers and the government and helped them navigate the system.
She had brought along a beautiful German wheelchair. One by one she gave consultations, measuring each child and fitting them into the wheelchair. The mothers were amazed at how well their children sit in the wheelchair and how easy the wheelchair is to maneuver.
The mothers left our office that day enthusiastic, hopeful and determined to use the government system to get the best for their children.
*Name changed .
