Intellectual Impairment

The right to belong

Intellectual impairments can result from genetic predisposition, illness, injury and poor nutrition.

cbm programs work hard to meet the needs of people with a range of impairments, including Downs Syndrome, Autism and Cerebral Palsy.

As well as being among the poorest of the poor, people with intellectual disabilities can be excluded from:

• education
• employment
• health care and other services
• belonging in their communities

Whole families can be affected with parents and siblings unable to find employment of adequate income.

Children with intellectual disabilities are often devalued in communities.

There are reports that children are hidden by their parents who fear that rejection and harm will come to them. This means they don’t go to school.

An African parent is reported as saying:

“Even if parents succeed in placing their disabled child in a mainstream school, the problems continue because other parents often take their children out of that school because of the stigma.”

Families who live in remote areas face even greater challenges due to increased poverty, even fewer income opportunities, or access to services and information.

Plus, where education of the community is limited, women are often more confined in traditional carer roles and often unable to advocate for their children’s rights and needs.

Edward's Story

Tanzanian_cerebral_palsy_child_walking_after_care_in_community_based_rehabilitation_centre_1.JPG Edward was born with cerebral palsy, which was terrifying for his parents. Disability is greatly feared in poor countries like Tanzania, because it takes so much time and energy to care for such a child.

70% of men abandon their families rather than face the shame and burden of a child with disabilities, so his mother hoped Edward's cerebral palsy would be mild. It wasn't. It was so severe that when we found Edward at age three, he could neither sit nor crawl.

Edward started to receive the care he needed. Not in a distant hospital far from home, but right in his own community. This is Tegeta, a cbm mobile outreach clinic.

The Tegeta field workers have given Edward therapy to increase his muscle tone, while teaching his mother how to do it herself. She can scarcely believe what has happened. Her beloved Edward is up on his feet, supporting himself in a walker, as he takes his first steps towards a life of acceptance and independence.

Idrisa's story

Idrisa’s head lolls to the side and his eyes can't fix on anything.

His mum bought him to cbm’s eye clinic in Tanzania because he cannot see. It’s clear to cbm’s doctors that sight is not Idrisa’s only challenge.

His delivery was long and traumatic, and when he was finally born, he didn’t cry.

“After birth, I tried to feed him but he didn’t respond,” his mum, Maria, says.

In Tanzania a child with intellectual disability is often not diagnosed for years. Parents are more aware of what the child can or can’t do – interest in eating, or ability to speak.

Fortunately for Marie, her husband and community are sympathetic, encouraging her to get help for Idrisa.

A local traditional healer tied dung to his wrist. But when that didn’t work, a local dispensary suggested cbm’s eye clinic.

With Australian support Idrisa is receiving physical therapy to help him focus his eyes, and Maria is being taught how to care for him at home. “Idrisa will achieve something,” Maria says, “For the first time, I see improvement.”

Facts about intellectual impairments

• 2% of the world population have an intellectual disability. Thats 130 million people.
• 26 million people with intellectual disabilities and their families live on less than $1 a day.

In some countries there is not just a lack of schools - or affordable schooling - there is actually a legal barrier to enrolling children with intellectual disabilities. They are not permitted to attend the regular schools.


Blindness	Orthopaedics	Deafness	Community	Emergencies	Rehabilitation

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