The rehabilitation work commences with the identification of needy persons with disabilities through field surveys. Our community workers then regularly visit them and give them counseling to enable them to come out of their shells of disappointment and superstitions. The persons who need medical treatment are taken to the various government hospitals in Trivandrum city by our workers. The medical treatment includes surgery y, physiotherapy, counseling etc. Medicines and equipment such as artificial limbs, calipers, hearing aids, spectacles etc were also provided to the clients on the advice of the medical experts.
In addition to the above mentioned regular activities, under the medical rehabilitation programme, we had launched the following two new projects the year before last and they are being continued.
Continuous Medicine Supply Programme:: This is for providing medicines continuously to all the poor chronic differently able persons in the area, suffering due to arthritis, paralysis, mental retardation etc., where, even though the possibility of complete cure is remote, prolonged continuous medication is necessary, to avoid pain and other complications We are giving medicines & equipment to all the clients of the MGRCB, as and when necessary.
Eye Camps:: MGRCB regularly conducts eye camps at different places with the support of Doctors and paramedical staff of the Regional institute of Ophthalmology Thiruvananthapuram. Prescribed Medicines and Spectacles were supplied without charging any cost. Assistance & follow up actions were also provided for the identified Cataract surgeries and Glaucoma cases.
Doctor Visit:: Monthly house visit of Doctors and paramedical staff was also arranged to examine bedridden patients who could not be transported to hospitals.
Jubilee Daily Food Programme: This was launched in August 2007 to commemorate the jubilee of the centre. There are very poor disabled patients in the area who are suffering due to scarcity of food. We are providing food materials (rice & provision) worth about Rs. 1000/- to 1500/- every month to selected very poor disabled persons who were almost starving.
After meeting their immediate medical needs, we try to rehabilitate the PWDs economically. Several counseling sessions are usually required to make them receptive and self confident. Vocational training programs are arranged depending upon the client’s aptitude and ability. Selected clients are then encouraged to start self employment projects such as tea shop, vegetable shop, petty shop, electronic repair shop, provision store, tailoring, goat rearing, chicken rearing, envelope making etc. MGRCB provide loan based financial assistance for starting a project. The income generated through such self-employment projects, though relatively small, makes the PWDs happy and enthusiastic, as the members of the family and community start to view them as useful and participating members of the society.
MGRCB is making all efforts to make the persons with disabilities as active participating members of the society. Those who are introverts and reluctant to be active are given regular counseling as well as training in physical exercise and activities of daily living such as washing, bathing, brushing teeth etc.
Educational Assistance:: MGRCB provide guidance and Educational Assistance to poor children with disabilities and children of persons with disabilities. There are many such children who are eager to learn but do not have the means.
Orientation Program:: Regular orientation programs were contacted to motivate the beneficiaries for a better life style and ambition.