Janet Michaelides ( OT from Die Sterreweg) and I have been running an early intervention clinic once a month. Children are referred to us by the local clinics or the OT in the government. Parents are then either given a home programme or included in the Sabrina Love or Die Sterreweg family. This has been great in ensuring that the children receive intervention as early as possible.
We continue to struggle with inclusive education and the need for schools to grasp this amazing concept. Many of our little children are often left to one side in the classroom and not given the opportunity to grow and develop in their own time. Three of our Sabrina love foundation children are currently attending Die Sterreweg, for a short period of ‘intervention’. The teacher, learner ratio is 1-5 which means that our children are getting the individual attention that they need. Their parents have all noticed a big difference in their children and are excited to progress to mainstream as soon as they are ready.
Our children are still having to attend other specialist appointments like orthotics and speech therapy outside of Plett, although we are hoping to cement an arrangement with one of the local speech therapists for 2 mornings a month.
All in all it has been a great year so far, so many of our children continue to make some lovely progress in therapy. Creshne and Elethu have started walking, Mivuyo is learning to sit independently and little Indi is starting to roll over on his own. Some of our children have a very long road ahead of them but they continue to remind us what life is all about. Many a session is spent laughing at their new found word or facial expression and the joy experienced by mom and I when they finally achieve the milestone we have both been working so hard towards, reminds me why I became an OT in the first place.
Absolutely beautiful sentiments. I shed a few tears. Keep up the wonderful work you are all doing.
With much love.
Kathryn
Indi is rolling over on his own? Waauw! So happy to hear that this little beautiful star is progressing. Missing it so much! Lots of love! Nienke.