By The Respondent Reporter
Members of the community have been urged to refrain from hiding children with cerebral palsy, as these children deserve equal care and inclusion, just like any other.
This appeal was made by Doreen Fitzpatrick, a Tanzanian residing in the United States and Director of Sassyfly Luxury Event, during her visit to the Dorcas Homecare Initiative — a care center for children with cerebral palsy located in Madale, Dar es Salaam.
While handing over a donation consisting of seven wheelchairs, diapers, and various food items, Doreen expressed that her return to Tanzania was motivated by a desire to give back to her community.
“Children with cerebral palsy are just like other children. Parents should not hide them away but rather bring them to specialized centers where they can acquire important life skills,” she said.
“I’ve lived abroad for ten years, and I felt it was time to return and contribute to my home country. While reflecting on how best to make an impact, I decided to support these children. Many people know about orphanages, but not many are aware of the challenges faced by children with cerebral palsy,” she added.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the center, Rehema Semfukwe thanked Doreen for her generous support, saying it reflects a deep sense of compassion for children with special needs.
“We are sincerely grateful to Doreen for this meaningful contribution. We also call upon others to step forward and support us, particularly in providing transportation for picking up and dropping off children at the center,” said Rehema.
She noted that the center currently serves 15 children, the majority of whom are from the Madale area, and that approximately 99% of them are unable to walk or speak.
Dorcas Homecare Initiative was born out of a personal journey — after I gave birth to a child with cerebral palsy. Through my own experience raising a child with this condition, I came to understand the immense challenges involved, and the need to support other parents going through the same,” she explained.
“At the center, children receive physical therapy and nutritional care from morning until evening, after which they return home. We believe it is important for them to also spend time with their families,” she added.
“There are many children in the community facing similar challenges, but some parents lack the courage to speak up. We raise our voices on their behalf.
"Another key objective of the center is to empower parents. By caring for their children during the day, we give them the opportunity to engage in income-generating activities," she said.
Providing insight into the condition, physical therapist Ismail Makoye explained that cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the brain, often due to bleeding.
“There are various types of cerebral palsy, but the most commonly known is spastic cerebral palsy, which causes muscle stiffness and joint tightness. This leads to significant pain and delays in the child’s ability to walk or move freely,” he noted.