Most persons with disabilities especially in our communities in African need a lot of assistance in going about their normal live. Part of this is because of the complete lack or inadequate supply of assist devices.
With the coming of the corona pandemic, Many preventive measure have been recommended by World health Organisation. But then how feasible are these measures for persons with disabilities in our African context.
Most persons with Visual impairment are always touching surfaces so they can feel where they are going. Some who use crutches Lean them against surfaces when they want to wash their hands or carry out activities. Some of them may not be stable enough yo wash the crutches after that , secondly they might not be have sanitisers to use.
Talking about maintaining social distance its also a challenge. Most of the time persons with hearing impairment need to be touched to get their attention.
Persons who are visually impaired need a guide in order to go about and sometimes some can't afford the white cane and so need to be held by their guide. Wheelchair users need to be assisted into and out of their wheelchair especially in our contact in Africa where assist I've devices are limited. Even those whose wheel chairs are not motorise need to be pushed about.
Therefore it is advisable to focused on hygiene. Washing their hands as often as possible and using sanitisers to sanitise their hands and mobility aid.
But then we are also aware that corona pandemic have only come to add their plight as persons with disabilities. It has affected everyone economically. How many of these persons can afford these kits?
Therefore we feel its time to take action to assist these our brothers and sister in their struggle to prevent covid-19.
My Organisation on the 9th of July distributed hand washing buckets to 11persons with hearing impairment and 4 Vulnerable persons and IDPs. Each of these 16 persons comes from a house hold of at least 8 persons . Therefore 124 persons benefited indirectly from this activity In addition these buckets were accompanied with soap and face mask. Immense thanks to Mr. Lenin Akum who funded this activity.
I want to use this opportunity to plead for more donations from anyone who is moved to assist these Vulnerable persons so we can together end this deadly pandermic
Hi Regina, how are you?
Kudos to you and to your team of distributing hand wash buckets with hearing impairment and vulnerable persons and IDP's. I hope that more donations will come to your organization.
Thanks Maeannfor these beautiful words on encouragement. Hoping so also. Will post as a need on the resource page so we could reach out to more people with disabilities. Stay safe deae
Regina, thank you for sharing your story! Sometimes, as able-bodied people we don't think enough about how COVID is effecting those with disabilities. I commend you for taking action and encouraging others to do the same.
Thanks gschmidt. Have a blessed weekend
Thank you for sharing and bringing light to this issue, as well as the work you are doing to help!
Thanks Ellie dear. Motivated to do more
Thank you for sharing
Thanks Anita and Stay safe
Hello, beloved Regina,
You've described it well how people with visual and hearing impairments find it more challenging in facing this pandemic. Life as we know it is is already tough for them, the COVID-19 aggravated it.
Kudos to you and your team for always creating practical solutions for people with disabilities. Great job, dear. I am so proud of you.
You may want to post this as a "Need" to the Resources Page. Kindly include how much does one hand washing bucket cost.
Keep it up! Please stay safe!
Hello Karen dear. Hope you and your family are having a blissful weekend. Am ever so motivated by your encouraging words.
What a brilliant idea. Yes dear will love to and certainly post need on the resource page as advice.
Thank you so much and stay blessed
You are doing important work. I wish you luck.
Beth
Thanks Beth dear. Stay safe
Thanks Regina for bringing more awareness on this important topic!
Keep up the great work and I look forward to reading more of your stories.
Thanks Arem . Hope you are having a great weekend. Stay safe
What an interesting one, thanks for the initiative keep up God and protect you. My regurds.
Dear Regina,
Thank you so much for reaching out to vulnerable people and people with hearing impairment. You are doing an amazing job and we pray that you get more donations to reach out to many more people.
Have a blessed day.