Delta First Lady Condemns Derogatory Labels On Children With Autism

Wife of the Delta State Governor, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, has condemned the practice of using derogatory labels on children living with autism, insisting that such misconceptions must end.

The first lady, who is also the founder of the You Matter Charity Foundation, stated this during an outreach in Kiagbodo, Burutu local government area, where she donated 21 wheelchairs to persons living with mobility challenges which about 90 per cent were allocated to adults and 10 per cent to children in riverine communities at Burutu federal constituency.

The outreach brought together children living with autism and other special needs, their caregivers, elderly persons and hundreds of other residents who benefited from free medical consultations, health screenings, medications and other humanitarian interventions.

Children with autism and other developmental conditions also received physiotherapy toys and assistive educational devices to aid their learning and rehabilitation while 120 bags of rice were distributed to vulnerable households.

The first lady also approved N5 million for the hip replacement surgery of Ombe Egbaseimokumo, a 27-year-old woman who appealed for financial assistance.

Addressing beneficiaries, Oborevwori said stigma and discrimination have “no place in our society…they deserve our love, care, acceptance and support,” just as she described children living with autism as special gifts from God who deserve equal opportunities.

She said the outreach represented more than a healthcare intervention, explaining that it was designed to promote inclusion, create awareness and eliminate the stigma often associated with autism and other special needs.

The first lady noted that Burutu is the fifth federal constituency to benefit from the You Matter Charity Foundation’s outreach after similar programmes in Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie, Ethiope, Ughelli/Udu and Isoko federal constituencies.

According to her, more than 520 children, alongside their caregivers and elderly persons, have so far benefited from the Foundation’s interventions across the state.

She called on government agencies, healthcare professionals, development partners, corporate organisations and well-meaning Deltans to support the Foundation’s humanitarian efforts to ensure more vulnerable people receive the care they deserve.

Oborevwori also urged parents and caregivers not to lose hope, encouraging them to continue seeking early medical intervention and educational support for children living with special needs.

The Chairman of Burutu local government council, Julius Takeme, commended the first lady for taking the outreach to the riverine communities, describing the You Matter Charity Foundation as a genuine humanitarian initiative that continues to improve the lives of vulnerable Delta people.