REAKGONA* WE MAKE IT! WE ARE ABLE! WE MANAGE! WORKING WITH SEVERELY DISABLED CHILDREN BY UNDINE RAUTER Lessons and history of the Parents’ Guidance Centres, South Africa * Pronounced Re-a-krona, the Setswana word means “We make it! We are able! We manage!” Published by Enablement Publishers Published by Enablement Publishers A. van Leeuwenhoekweg 38 A16, Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands. April 2016 ISBN 9789081672504 Copies can be requested/ordered at:
[email protected] or
[email protected] Parents’ Guidance Centre Reakgona P.O. Box 77, Radithuso 2738 tel: +27-18-3369258 This book was the work of Undine Rauter, assisted by Huib Cornielje, Niala Maharaj and Marije Cornielje 2 REAKGONA We make it! We are able! We manage! “The PGC promotes close relationships, bonding and love between mother and child.” Joe Menoe, Community Worker/Chief Physiotherapy Assistant, Tswaing sub district “As a paediatric doctor I appreciate the knowledge and good observation skills the PGC mothers have obtained. It is much easier to care for a sick disabled child with an informed, caring mother helping me to understand the child.” Dr. Amelia Thambe, Registrar in Paediatics, Pretoria “The PGC instils a positive spirit of hope and a healthy confidence in the child. They make them feel genuinely accepted and loved.” Jackie Matlala, Mother of a young adult with CP “For youth the PGC is focussing on career building and discipline, responding to challenges among young people concerning HIV/ AIDS and drug abuse.” Allen Mtatase, Chairman, GBT Mongoose Wheelchair Basketball “The PGC makes my life easy and impacted my life by giving me a motorized wheelchair.