Another successful and fun Children's Festival and Duck Pluck has resulted in more than $5,000 being raised to go towards Early Childhood Development programs managed by Sunshine Coast Community Services Society.
But the Society still needs the public's help.
"This year more than ever the Society has struggled with funding cut-backs and appeals to the public to reach deep into their pockets to help our local children," said Sandra Cunningham, revenue development director with SCCSS.
A necessary piece of equipment required to help with mobility issues on the Coast is a tracking lift system.
"Children with physical disabilities often have to be lifted in and out of bed, the bath, a wheelchair, the toilet, and the floor. Transfers such as these can happen 10 to 12 times a day and are physically taxing for the parents and once a child moves out of childhood into adolescence it becomes increasingly difficult," said Cunningham. "Many care-givers suffer ongoing neck, shoulder, wrist, and low back discomfort from providing care for disabled children, often developing into recurrent strain injuries."
Cunningham said therapists with the Bridges Rehabilitation Services program have become aware of a family in Roberts Creek who have difficulty lifting and transferring their 12-year-old daughter.
She said this family now requires a tracking lift system which will lift and transfer their child using a sling, motor unit and track. The total cost of a unit is over $5,450.
Funds procured to date are $2,662 from Minister of Children and Family from the At Home Program, and $600 from a private donation, leaving the family $1,200 short.
"This family is in dire need for this equipment as their daughter is getting too heavy for them to easily manage," she said.
Children with disabilities who have difficulty walking often benefit from riding horses, as the cadence and movement of the horse allows the child to pattern their own movements with that of the horse they are riding. There is also a critical need for a tracking lift system, costing close to $6,000, to be installed in a West Sechelt riding arena to enable a therapeutic riding program this fall. Without the tracking lift system this program will not be available.
Funding for the therapeutic riding program is split by schools and the Kids in Motion funding offered by SCCSS. The Sunshine Coast Lions Club of Sechelt has also been a major contributor to the Kids in Motion fund, which enables children with disabilities to participate in a variety of community based recreation activities.
"However, we have a shortfall and require a significant contribution to be able to deliver this program here on the Sunshine Coast," Cunningham said.
If you can help with these donation appeals, contact Sunshine Coast Community Services Society at 604-885-5881 or at www.sccss.ca.
- Submitted
