Ministry of Social Affairs Helps Mishal Undergoes Therapy for Persons with CP

  • Ministry of Social Affairs Helps Mishal Undergoes Therapy for Persons with CP
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Writer :
Iin Saputri
Editor :
Intan Qonita N
Translator :
Karlina Irsalyana

MAKASSAR (March 29, 2023) - Cloudy sky covered Makassar City that morning when the roar of car engines was heard approaching Wirajaya Center polyclinic building. Four adults got out of the car and entered the polyclinic. One of them was holding a small child who looked limp.

 

In the last three weeks, this activity has become an almost daily routine at Wirajaya Center. They came from Makassar Center for Social Welfare Education and Training (BBPPKS). They consisted of two officers, two beneficiary family members (PM), and a young child who became PM named Almahira Mishall Ramadani or who is familiarly called Mishal. It has been more than a month since Mishal and her grandmother, Minneng, left their hometown in Sinjai Regency for Makassar to undergo treatment at Wahidin Sudirohusodo Central General Hospital (RSUP). When they first visited Wirajaya Center, they both were accompanied by a relative who lives in Makassar and was accompanied by two officers from BBPPKS Makassar.

 

Mishal is a five-year-old child with a spastic type of cerebral palsy (CP). She was born at Sinjai Hospital by cesarean section on June 15, 2017, with a weight of 2.7 kg. She had experienced a high fever at the age of 10 months which caused her to be treated at the health center for three days. As soon as her fever subsided, Mishal was taken home.

 

After a long time, Minneng began to feel that something was wrong with her grandchild. Mishal does not experience the development of children her age. She could not move freely, struggled to toss and turn when lying down, was unable to crawl, and the muscles in her legs, neck, and back often spasmed. Until now, Mishal has been unable to sit, let alone stand and walk. Her verbal communication is far from other normal children her age. The way to pronounce something is still very stuttering and the articulation is still unclear. However, Mishal understands when asked to communicate, both verbally and nonverbally.

 

Minneng said that as soon as Mishal was born, her father left home and her family. Her mother then married again and left Mishal when she was two years old in the care of her grandparents.

 

According to the grandmother's testimony, she did not allow Mishal to be brought because she was worried about the treatment this child might receive later. “I'm worried, this child will become a burden for them later. It's better if the stepfather is a good father, if not, it's a pity. Raising a child like this is not easy, it requires special attention.”

 

Since then, Mishall's parents never visited her again, except when she first left for Makassar to undergo therapy at the hospital. At that time, her mother accompanied her to the house of a relative in Makassar. Three days later, the mother returned to the village, leaving Mishal with her grandmother.

Mishal's family condition is far from prosperous. Every day they only rely on the produce of a makeshift garden, and even that must be shared with the people who help work on it. Of the seven people who live in the same house as Mishal, none has a steady job. The grandfather as the head of the family was no longer able to work due to disorders of the spinal cord.

Minneng received information about the Ministry of Social Affairs from a mother who was also accompanying her child (a person with CP) to undergo therapy at the hospital. She said, 'Ask for help from the (Ministry of) Social Affairs. I am also assisted by MoSA'."

With the help of Sinjai Regency government, Mishal case was finally monitored by BBPPKS Makassar. Mishal and her grandmother were then taken to BBPPKS Makassar office to receive residential services. Mishal and her grandmother will live in a dormitory within BBPPKS Makassar environment while undergoing therapy.

Of Mishal's condition, Makassar BBPPKS considered that while undergoing drug therapy at Wahidin Hospital, Mishal also needed physiotherapy services. Therefore BBPPKS invited Wirajaya Center to collaborate.

Mishal is classified as a cheerful and very friendly child. “She loves to laugh. Whoever calls, she will smile, "said Minneng.

In contrast to other children with CP who often screamed in pain when their muscles were being treated, Mishal laughed out loud more often during physiotherapy, especially when the physiotherapist made fun of her. Her funny and crisp laughter colors every therapy session. The giggling sound typical of a child's adorable that dispelled the gloomy atmosphere like a beam of sunlight breaking through a cloudy sky. Even when the sky was bright, the excitement that was captured by Mishal's smile and laughter made  Wirajaya Center polyclinic feel cheerful.

After almost a month of undergoing physiotherapy, Mishal was able to sit up even though she still needed support because her back and neck muscles were still weak. Her right hand which used to be stiff was now able to grip. Her legs, which used to be crossed and stiff, were now able to move.

"Thank God, now there have been many changes. It's different from the therapy places we went to before,” said the grandmother. She also hopes that her grandchild can recover and live life like other children. "This child can still exist to this day, which means God has the best intentions for her," she continued.

The family's hopes for Mishal's future are starting to reawaken. For this reason, Minneng remains enthusiastic about bringing Mishal to undergo physiotherapy throughout the month of Ramadan. "At the beginning of the fast, we returned to the village. The first Monday of the fasting month, we will come back here for therapy," said Minneng excitedly.

Apart from physiotherapy, Mishal will also receive aid in the form of HKAFO (Hip, knee, ankle, and foot orthoses) from Wirajaya Center. These tools will help support and stabilize the muscles in the spine and hips, also help control spasticity in the knees and prevent contractures in the ankle joints. The primary purpose of using this tool is to help the patient stand up by re-functioning the weak muscles.

Of course, no one wanted Mishal's joy to fade. Therefore, all parties involved are expected to remain solid, and diligent, and never get bored for the sake of social welfare for Mishal and her family.













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