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“My daughter, Phuong An, was three years old, but she couldn’t walk, talk, or feed herself. While other children in our neighborhood were doing these things, my heart ached. We took her to the doctor, but couldn’t afford the treatment. Every day, I felt helpless and cried,” said Ms. Hoang Anh, a mother from Nam Dong district in Thua Thien Hue province.

Ms.Nguyen Thi Ha (Occupational Therapist) helps An practice feeding.

An has congenital brain damage, which affects her right side and makes it difficult for her to use her hand. She needs help from her parents with everyday things like getting washed and eating. She also has flat feet, which causes her to stumble often. Like all kids of her age, An yearns for the joy of playing on a slide or seesaw, however, her physical challenge make these seemingly simple activities out of reach.

Besides, her speech impairment, another result of brain damage, necessitates hand gestures for communication. Living in a remote mountain village with limited resources, access to rehabilitation services is a significant obstacle.

A turning point came in October 2023 when An became a beneficiary of the Inclusion 1 Project, which provides her with access to home-based multidisciplinary rehabilitation services, including physical, occupational, and speech and language therapy, tailored to her individual needs.

To help the little girl with her mobility, Physical Therapist instructed An to practice exercises like standing on one leg, sitting down and standing up, stretching her ankles, and strengthening her muscles. In coordination with the Occupational Therapist, these exercises were integrated into daily activities, like reaching for toys placed at various heights.

To refine An’s hand dexterity, Occupational Therapist employed therapeutic activities such as playing with clay, stacking blocks, and manipulating small objects. These exercises helped An develop a stronger grasp, preparing her for everyday tasks such as self-feeding, dressing, and brushing her teeth.

“It’s a big advantage for An to have a twin sister who understands her so well. Her sister can help An understand what the rehabilitation staff is trying to teach her,” said Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha (Occupational Therapist).

Practicing recognizing animals (Speech and Language therapy)

To help An with her delayed speech, a Speech and Language Therapist did exercises to improve her pronunciation, sang songs, learned to name animals and colors in pictures, and gradually progressed to identifying animals and colors in real life.

At the same time, An’s parents were guided on how to help their child with appropriate exercises at home as part of the intervention. Following the advice of therapists, they make this a daily habit, lasting at least 15 minutes.

After 8 weeks of intervention, Phuong An has made remarkable progress. She can stand up and sit down more easily and walk more steadily with fewer falls. The improved balance allowed her to confidently join her classmates in playground activities.

Furthermore, she can also grasp objects firmly with her right hand, eat independently, and dress herself with more ease. Her communication skills evolved from relying on gestures and nods to accurately pronouncing animal names, distinguishing colors, and expressing her needs through short phrases.

Notably, An’s parents have become aware of the importance of allowing their child to be as independent as possible. Instead of being overly protective, they now let An do things herself, with minimal assistance provided when necessary.

Mutltidisciplinary rehabilitation services has helped An get closer to her dream.

An’s progress is not only a joy for her family but also a motivation for the multidisciplinary rehabilitation team.

“When I think back to the moments when An proudly showcased her drawings or the radiant joy in her parents’ eyes as they watched her independently feed herself or confidently walk into the classroom, my heart overflows with a sense of warmth and fulfillment” said Ms.Ha Nguyen, Occupational Therapist.