The You Matter Charity Foundation (YMCF) in collaboration with the Delta State Ministry of Health has reached out to children living with autism and related developmental conditions in Okpe/Sapele/Uwvie Federal Constituency of the state, providing them free medical consultations, health education, essential medications, 120 bags of rice, 30 wheelchairs, three smart boards, physiotherapy toys, educational devices and other assistive materials.
The free medical outreach which marked the commencement of the second phase, forms part of the foundation’s broader healthcare and social intervention programmes aimed at promoting inclusion, improving access to quality healthcare and ensuring that children living with autism and other special needs receive the care, dignity and opportunities they deserve across Delta State.
Speaking during the programme held at Osubi Secondary School, Thursday, Tobore Oborevwori, founder of the YMCF, told the beneficiaries, parents, caregivers and stakeholders that the initiative was driven by the foundation’s vision of building a society where every individual is valued regardless of disability or social status.
She noted that the outreach was expanded from the senatorial district level to the federal constituency level after the foundation discovered that many families could not access support because of distance, lack of awareness and financial constraints.
According to her, many children living with autism and other special needs continue to face stigma, discrimination and exclusion from education, healthcare and community life.
Today’s outreach is more than a medical programme. It is a demonstration of love in action. It is a platform for raising awareness about autism and other special needs, providing free healthcare services, supporting families and encouraging communities to embrace inclusion instead of discrimination,” she said.
She reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to standing with parents and caregivers while advocating for policies and partnerships that would improve the wellbeing of children with special needs across Delta State.
Oborevwori urged governments, traditional institutions, faith-based organisations, healthcare professionals and families to work together in building an inclusive society where every child is given equal opportunities to thrive.
She also appealed to Deltans to reject stigma and discrimination against children living with autism and other developmental disorders.
“Let us replace fear with understanding, prejudice with acceptance and indifference with compassion. Together, we can build communities where every child is celebrated, every family is supported and every individual is given the opportunity to flourish,” she added.
Lawrentta Ogbedu, a barrister and the director-general of the YMCF highlighted the foundation’s achievements in supporting autistic children and other vulnerable groups across Delta State.
She disclosed that the medical outreach would continue to other parts of the state to ensure more families benefit from the programme.
Isaiah Esiovwa, chairman, Okpe Local Government Council, lauded the governor’s wife for consistently championing the welfare of vulnerable people, especially children living with special needs.
He pledged the support of stakeholders across the Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency in partnering with the foundation to expand its humanitarian interventions.
Medical experts at the event also educated parents and caregivers on autism spectrum disorder and other developmental conditions. Angela Bolum-Okolie and Okeroghene Mudiaga-Erhueh who are paediatricians, explained that autism is not a communicable disease and stressed the importance of early diagnosis, regular medical care, nutritious feeding, social therapy and inclusive education.
They encouraged families to seek professional medical support while advocating for greater public acceptance of children with special needs.
Kingsley Ashibogwu, commissioner for Secondary Education, in his goodwill message, hailed Oborevwori for her sustained investment in education and support for children with developmental challenges.
He urged individuals, corporate organisations and philanthropists to emulate the foundation’s humanitarian efforts by supporting programmes that improve the lives of vulnerable children.
In a vote of thanks, Amara Ejofodomi, a parent of an autistic child who received a wheelchair during the outreach, expressed gratitude to the governor’s wife and the YMCF for taking free medical care and support directly to vulnerable children at the grassroots.
Photo:
Tobore Oborevwori, wife of the Delta State Governor and founder of the YMCF, with beneficiaries of the 30 wheel chairs donated by her Foundation to children with special needs in Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency recently.
Insecurity is emerging as a major operational risk to Kaduna State’s efforts to expand agricultural production and attract agro-industrial investment. Attacks on farmers have continued to pose a serious challenge. At least, nine farmers were killed and several others abducted in a fresh attack on farmers in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area.
Comments
Start the conversation about this story.