“Will my daughter ever stand?”
“Will my son learn to talk?”
“Will he be able to go to school?”
“Will others notice that she is different?”
These are the kinds of questions mothers ask when they discover their child has a disability. It takes great courage to take the proactive step of contacting the centre and beginning regular weekly sessions.
Encouragingly, over the past couple of years, more children under five have been coming to the centre. This means that word of the centre has spread enough to reach new families, and it also gives us more opportunities to encourage and stimulate development from an early age. For children under three, their mothers attend sessions with them. For these mothers, it is a chance to voice their concerns in a safe space and to see demonstrations of activities that support their child’s development at this stage.
Suzan has not yet turned one year old. Her mother brought her to the centre after noticing developmental delays. As we work with Suzan, her mother remains by her side, offering comfort and bringing smiles to her daughter’s face.
Tamara, a young girl with spina bifida, has been coming to the centre for a little over a year. At first, she was hesitant to interact and unable to sit independently. Now, she bursts out in giggles and laughter during her exercises, needing only minimal support to sit. Her mother watches closely, asks questions, and week by week we see Tamara’s progress. It is clear that what is demonstrated at the centre is being continued at home.
The questions on these mothers’ minds are not easy to answer. Sometimes, there isn’t an answer yet. But week by week, we journey together—mothers, children, and staff—hoping that step by step, we may open a way for these children to reach their full potential.
