Special contribution for special medical care Dagbreek learners need
While the educational needs of children with learning disabilities are evident and thoroughly addressed in specialised schools, these same learners often have medical conditions related to their impairment, which are neglected.
Principal of Dagbreek School in Windhoek, Mr Paul du Plessis, earlier this week pointed out that the learners under his care need very specific medical care and that many of them do not have access to this type of care, for a variety of reasons, affordability being the most important.
Receiving a very substantial contribution from medical aid fund administrator, MedScheme, du Plessis said the assistance could not have come at a better time.
Dagbreek’s learners include children with physical conditions such as Down syndrome and cerebral palsy but a large number also suffer from a range of Pervasive Developmental Disorders such as autism, Asperger’s syndrome, Rett’s syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorders and brain function imbalances. The learners range from seven to eighteen years, the normal school-going age for all children.
“In addition to learning challenges, the learners at Dagbreek School have medical conditions that are often not addressed as many of the parents lack the funds to do so” said du Plessis adding that public schools like Dagbreek need the assistance of companies and individuals to help promote a conducive learning environment for the disabled children, and to take care of their special medical conditions and the specialised treatment needed.
MedScheme’s contribution will pay for medical assistance in optometry, occupational therapy, speech therapy and physiotherapy.
The administrator’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Abigail Raubenheimer, presented du Plessis with a MedScheme cheque for a staggering N$100,000, one of the most substantial donations the school has received in the past couple of years.
At the official donation ceremony, Raubenheimer said “As an administrator of medical aid funds, Medscheme Namibia realises the medical challenges faced by the learners at Dagbreek School for the Intellectually Impaired. If these challenges are addressed as soon as possible, it will give these learners a better chance in life. We are playing a role in providing opportunities to these learners so that they are able to reach their full potential.”
As a token of their appreciation, the learners and teachers of the junior classes reciprocated by giving MedScheme an equally valuable gift back, a painting done by the learners themselves which they hope will be framed and find a special place in the art collection displayed at the administrator’s offices. The painting was accepted by Hellon Kaulinge, Medscheme’s Key Accounts Manager, seated on the left in the photograph.
