Yasniel Alejandro García Toledo, Miguel Alaín and Chanel Sue Varona Saldañas, receive physical and psychological therapy in the Rosa Luxemburg Neurological Development Rehabilitation Center, located in the municipality of
Cárdenas, in the western province of Matanzas.
Four-year-old Yasniel was diagnosed with an epileptic focus which causes hyperactivity, while Miguel exhibits behaviors considered characteristic of autism, and his little sister, Chanel, has scoliosis with one of her legs longer than the other.
Their mothers, Erquijeylis Toledo Pérez and Susel Saldañas González, report that the children receive careful attention here from neurologists, physical therapists, psychologists and rehabilitation specialists, who celebrate the accomplishments of every patient, love their work, and dedicate the time and effort needed, to see through their recovery from pathologies caused by prenatal, perinatal, or postnatal problems.
The Center's director, Jorge Pedro Rodríguez, explains that the institution emerged in response to the need to follow closely all pregnancies at-risk for variations in neurological development, and provide comprehensive medical attention at birth by different specialists, capable of intervening immediately if a newborn shows signs of abnormal development, taking advantage of the baby's plasticity, before habits and postures become irreversible.
Rodríguez, a pediatric neuro-rehabilitation specialist and MSc in infant development, explained that many members of the professional workforce have 20 years of experience and, along with recent graduates, are very sensitive human beings, totally devoted to the Center's work. The staff is very interested in research and in generalizing information obtained in their investigations, he reported,
He explained that they begin work with infants soon after birth, focusing on motor and cognitive issues, always with the support of families to ensure progress in treatment and full integration into the community. He noted that social acceptance with the neighborhood is sought, to prevent rejection based on cognitive or physical limitations.
"Families always expect a pretty, intelligent, capable baby," the doctor said, "When a different child arrives, there is an impact, frustration. This family must seek help and, many times, time is lost in initiating stimulation or rehabilitation rapidly, that is why this work is so important, during this first stage after birth."
THE CENTER'S FOUNDING
In 1992, in Cárdenas, an inter-sectorial investigation was initiated with the participation of the Ministry of Public Health (Minsap), the Ministry of Education's Diagnostic and Advisement Center, and the municipal Institute of Sports and Recreation, to consider a project to offer early attention to the neurological development of all infants born at Julio Miguel Aristegui Villamil Hospital, which serves the population in this municipality and others nearby, such as Martí, Perico and Jovellanos.
The data collected was presented to Minsap authorities, the provincial and municipal governments, making clear the need for a specialized institution. The first step was finding a location, and a colonial era (1885) building, which had once housed a school, known as La Llaca, was identified and refurbished.
A portion of the financing for the work was assumed by the local government with the cooperation of the German non-governmental Rosa Luxemburg group. These friends offered their personal efforts and technical knowledge to restore the building, which became an adjunct facility to the Héroes del Moncada university polyclinic, located in Cárdenas.
"We have all the specialties related to developing the potential of boys and girls at risk," Rodríguez explained, referring to children with injuries, deformations, or disorders affecting the central nervous system. Our specialists support families, explain their child's problems, and how they can obtain results with stimulation of other areas of the brain."
His statement is corroborated by psychologist Miriela Díaz Bringas, who works in evaluation and diagnostic services. She conducts a variety of procedures to support understanding of a pathology, and the selection of appropriate pharmaceuticals, therapeutic interventions, and rehabilitation needed to address the neurological problem.
She relates that the founding of the center was due to the personal perseverance of Dr. Rodríguez, saying “One of his children have a neurological development disorder; he had to help him and treat him. He went to the capital for help and noted that attention for these children was very fragmented. Interdisciplinary work teams with a comprehensive approach to this pathology were lacking.
"The experience he acquired in the neonatology ward, in his efforts working in intensive therapy, led him to create a project to give babies born with physical-motor disorders ongoing care. With the results obtained, he sought help from, government authorities at different levels, and financing from solidarity friends abroad was coordinated," Dr. Díaz recalled.
In September of 2002, the Rosa Luxemburg Neurological Development Rehabilitation Center was born, and in its first 10 months, 8,848 infants were evaluated by multidisciplinary teams. The examinations' integrated approach required at least 30 minutes per patient, plus follow-up discussion and study of observations.
DEDICATION
Dr. Díaz described her profession as a hopeful one, a demanding one that allows her to make a contribution to society, saying, "Here are my challenges, my need for professional growth, my admiration for the children who ask more of us to overcome their difficulties. I learn a great deal from the patients and their families, and from my colleagues, as well. These little ones give us more than what we can offer them."
Agreeing with her is Dr. Rosario María Somoano Suárez, a founding member of the Center's staff and participant in the multi-disciplinary committee for identification, evaluation, and follow-up, which suggests the most appropriate interventions for each case. If the disorder is light, the child is evaluated every three months for two years, if it is moderate or severe, monthly attention continues until the baby reaches 18 months of age.
Infants generally arrive at the Center referred by the hospital where they were born. Thanks to the Revolution's integrated Public Health system, women with at risk pregnancies are identified and evaluated early on, especially if they have illnesses which could impact the fetus. Childcare centers and elementary schools also refer children if a worrisome trait in conduct or cognitive development is observed, although such referrals are considered late.
Treatment is personalized, but most patients participate in group activities, too, as is the case with music therapy, provided by speech, language and voice therapist Jeannete Ochoa Fiffe, another founding member of the staff, who explained, "We use inclusive group therapies, homogeneous in terms of age and heterogeneous in issues, syndromes and pathologies."
She also teaches pyscho-ballet, and commented that she often includes children with normal learning patterns to aid in socialization, and others with autism. They participate in dances and guided movement to music in combination with other art forms. In the locale's gallery, drawings made by patients are exhibited.
Drey Iván Yera Silverio, 25 years of age, is responsible for motor rehabilitation in the Center's gymnasium. His ability to coax a baby to spontaneously cooperate in exercises, which may be painful or exhausting, is a marvel.
He basically depends on play, and trains parents and family members to use everyday objects to guide the desired movements, saying, "Progress is achieved in accordance with the number of daily repetitions." The therapist, with just a year on the job, adds that he has had access to many opportunities for professional development.
Expressing a similar opinion is Amarilys González Reymont, placed in the Center during her second year of university studies in speech and hearing therapy. She is in charge of animal therapy at the clinic's Edad de Oro farm, located just outside the city.
Here, nature's resources are put to use to improve patients' movement and socialization, and to learn about plants and animals, Amarilys explains, adding, "Being outdoors is the most beneficial. We resolve phobias of animals and they choose a favorite. We have never had an accident, despite working with birds, reptiles, horses, and insects."
She notes that parents' permission to participate is required before sessions begin, and that they are fully informed of the nature of activities and measures to take to avoid falls and injuries, reiterating, "After just a few days of work, the results are marvelous."
Everyone has anecdotes to tell, recalling one or another child, mentioning names of parents and patients, all agreeing that the profession is a gratifying one that requires love. They are inspired to overcome their own difficulties by the efforts of children strong enough to overcome tremendous barriers.
