Seek medical rather than spiritual care for children with signs of disability

Parents and family members have been cautioned against the practice of consulting spiritualists instead of Specialists when they see signs of disability in their children.

A 42-year-old deaf student of the GH Media School, Miss Nukunu Akusika Deku said swift medical attention could save such children from permanently becoming disabled. 

In an interview with The Spectator through a questionnaire, she blamed the society for making many children disabled because some parents had spent much time seeking spiritual attention rather than medical attention. 

Ms Deku said some conditions needed either surgery, physiotherapy, one form of treatment or guidance to correct the defect but some parents instead devoted their time and money moving from one place to the other seeking spiritual help and came to the hospital as the last resort when the situation had worsened.

She disclosed that she was not born deaf but at the age of two, she fell and in the process hit her forehead on the floor resulting in her deafness.

She was of the opinion that if her parents had concentrated much in getting her the needed specialist attention, she could have escaped her current disability, “even though my family tried hard for me”. 

The GH Media student said she was not against seeking spiritual help but medical attention was equally key because God could send the solution through the doctors.

“We also deserve love and care because it is not a choice we made. Disability could also happen to anybody regardless of age, sex or status in society,” she emphasised. 

She said empowerment of disabled children was critical because it made them confident and as well gave them the opportunity to also contribute their quota to society. 

Ms Deku was of the view that the society would rob itself of talents if disabled persons were discarded because they also had what it takes to help in the development of their communities.

From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema.