COMMUNITY BASED REHAB

Archie David Tucked in a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy as a scholar from the University of Queensland and taught there for a year before returning to Manila to teach at the University of the Philippines.

He came home and set up Independent Living Learning Center (illc) in Wack-Wack with programs like Early Intervention, Independent Living, Modified Integrated Secondary Education, and Work Training. These programs help children and young adults with developmental conditions such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, autism, and Down’s syndrome towards a more independent and productive life.

In his many past community-based activities while at college at UP, 27-year-old Archie did not forget the need for a rehabilitation/therapy center for less fortunate children afflicted with these developmental conditions.

"These children were often just left alone at home because their parents did not know what to do with them. The children then would lie in bed the whole day and their conditions would worsen as the absence of therapy often led to the stiffening of the muscles and ultimately disfigurement," Archie narrates.

So within ten months of establishing illc, he also started a community-based rehabilitation program for the neighboring baranggays in Addition Hills in Mandaluyong.

Archie set up a group of therapists to undertake training sessions for mothers and their children. They teach the mothers occupational therapy, as well as basic physical and speech therapy.

Hands Of Mercy (hom), a supportive ngo, lent him their small center to be used for the rehab and therapy sessions. hom also helps with small stipends for the volunteers. Archie adds: "We were helping about 40 children at the start. Most come to the center on Fridays. For the others who have difficulty coming to the center, we do home service."

What is interesting is Archie’s theory of empowerment: "It’s a transfer of skills. Soon, the mothers will be able to give their children therapy and they won’t need us anymore. The mothers have also been willing to give therapy to other children in the community. Some volunteers also continue to help in the sessions. After about two months, we have now expanded to two more baranggays in Mandaluyong–Block 13 and Poblacion."

The mothers (and some grandmothers) and children trooped into the Addition Hills center that Friday morning. All the children stayed on their mothers’ laps so they wouldn’t get anxious.

The session starts with greeting, hand-washing, singing. Then Archie reviews the individual exercises given to each child from a notebook that he sends to each mother. The mothers then stretch and massage the kids’ muscles for strength and flexibility. Sitting and balance exercises help strengthen the neck, arm, and back muscles. And then the children get to tackle some basic puzzles and beading toys. The session ends with homework/therapy for mothers to administer daily to the kids at home.

Paulo, 9, is autistic. He is a smiler and delights at the leg massage his mother gives him. Christian, 8, has cerebral palsy; his lola has taken care of him since he was abandoned by his mother. Though he still cannot walk, Christian would not have been able to hold up his head or sit up, if not for the therapy. Abel, 9, is the third of five siblings. He comes with his mother who says that Abel is so malambing and cannot sleep without his father’s embrace at night. "Hinihintay niya talagang umuwi ang tatay niya kahit minsan ginagabi sa pag-mamaneho ng tricycle," she shares.

"Therapy is very important for these children," Archie stresses. "Many parents think therapy is expensive but there are sessions at UP Manila’s Clinic for Therapy Services for P50 a session. I know even that can be difficult, so now we are coming to the children. Just to get them out of their homes is a kind of therapy already. If the children are kept hidden at home, the outdoors can be overwhelming to them."

Fortunately, the community has responded positively to Archie’s initiatives. "The local government in Mandaluyong has been quite supportive of our endeavor and even organizes field trips for the children," he reveals. "Social workers also visit the center and give the kids free snacks."

The impact his endeavor has had on his patients makes Archie want to do more. "We are hoping for a bigger center because it gets quite cramped. We also want to address teens with these conditions and train them for a more productive life with jobs by teaching them basic skills," he says enthusiastically. "So we need some vocational equipment like kitchen utensils and carpentry tools. Used strollers, wheelchairs, playpens, mats, play pillows, educational toys, and shape puzzles for the children in the center are also most welcome."

Archie David may be reached at ILLC at 575-B Wack-Wack Road, Mandaluyong or call 721-7405.