Does your child have a disability?
If so, help is on its way.
InterHealth Canada has joined forces with the Ministry of Health and NHIP to develop a specialist therapy service in the TCI for youngsters with disabilities.
So far, pediatrician Dr Helen Leonard, has identified more than 50 children who need support across the country. But with the new service being planned, she is today urgently appealing for others to come forward.
Dr Leonard explained: “We are obviously aware of a lot of children who need help but I am concerned there may be youngsters out there that we do not yet know about.
“There is a great deal of work being put into this new service and so obviously we don’t want to start and then find out there are children we have missed.
“For this reason I would urge any parents and guardians who know their children have physical disabilities or very slow speech development to get in touch so that we can allow for them in our planning.”
In a bid to help parents and guardians recognise the signs of severe learning difficulties, Dr Leonard issued the following advice.
“”There are a number of things to consider”, she explained. “For instance, one thing we are interested in is children severe learning difficulties.
“By severe learning difficulties I mean is your child way behind his or her years? An eight-year-old working at a five-year-old’s pace?
“If the answer to any of these questions is yes then I would ask parents and guardians to contact me as soon as they can.”
The new service comes following a recent pilot scheme held at the Cheshire Hall and Cockburn Town Medical Centres.
This featured visiting therapists from Canada and the United States and as hailed a ‘huge success’ by all in involved.
Dr Leonard added: “That pilot scheme was a fantastic success with more than 30 children taking part. Without exception these youngsters and their parents benefited greatly and are looking forward to the regular sessions we are now planning.
“And that’s what this service is all about – helping young people to overcome their difficulties and improve their and their loved ones’ lives.
“The achievements of those who took part in the pilot scheme were simply amazing and I look forward to hearing from anyone who wishes to take advantage of this brand new service.”
Dr Leonard is based at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre in Provo and can be contacted by email at hleonard@interhealthcanadatc
Alternatively more information is available by calling InterHealth Canada TC on 941 2800
