BANDUNG DISTRICT (24 May 2021) - One of the front guards in handling various social problems in the community is the Community Social Worker (PSM).

 

The benefits of PSM assistance were felt through a variety of activities, for example, initiating Community-Based Rehabilitation (RBM) and disability-friendly villages and elderly-friendly villages.

 

In the past 10 years, parents with children with disabilities felt ashamed and hid from others and were often considered a family disgrace.

 

As PSM and RBM introduce their approach to local wisdom and collaborate with parties, gradually the parents are aware and confident in caring for and overcoming children with disabilities.

 

"I myself become PSM is because my own child is a disabled person for 18 years. That moved me and my caring friends to rise from shame and hide children with disabilities to be confident in overcoming it," said Euis, a PSM managing RBM in Cibiru Wetan Village, Cileunyi District, Bandung Regency, Sunday (23/5/2021).

 

On the land of the residents' loans, a semi-permanent RBM was built to receive and provide regular assistance by PSM to children and parents working with a foundation that cares for children with disabilities.

 

"I love to be touched if I remember when children wanted therapy they had to go far away, but now with RBM the parents just come once a month to bring their children to be treated by the therapists and the therapist will come," said Euis.

 

RBM noted that there were 32 children with disabilities who were routinely treated every month but it divided into 13 children for once therapy. Parents are given mental strengthening so that they can help with therapy in their respective homes.

 

"Parents are given homework by the therapist, for example how to open their mouths with light massages on their faces properly, so they don't rely one hundred percent on RBM," he said.

 

Other models of therapy such as taking children with disabilities to the swimming pool to stimulate children's growth and development, for example, some disabilities cannot move normally and when in the water they have a happy face.

 

"They feel happy because there is a new atmosphere that can stimulate children," he explained.

It does not stop there, the next stage is how children with disabilities receive basic rights and receive protection, because they have the same rights as other normal children.

Even though she has a child with disability, Euis is not tired of accompanying the parents of Rani, 12 years old, a child with disability who has been eight months and feels the difference after receiving assistance.

“Previously, Rani moved with her back like a butterfly while swimming. After the therapy, slow but sure she can move better,” explained Euis.

Rani's mother also admitted that in the past, she was embarrassed to take her child out and be seen by people, but now she feels ok and be more confident.

"Mental changes are felt. In the past, I was embarrassed to have a child with a disability, but now I feel more confident as a result of mentoring by the PSMs and therapists," she said.

RBM also provides services to restore the functioning of people with disorders or obstacles, whether physically, mentally, psychologically, or socially.

RBM is a form of synergy by utilizing the resources and potential of PSM, lecturers, universities, therapists, communities, disability care foundations and the government to overcome social problems.

Public Relations Bureau
Ministry of Social Affairs