An event for children receiving treatment for neurodevelopmental disorders and conditions present from birth was held on Saturday at the District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC), Institute of Social Paediatrics, Government Stanley Medical College Hospital (SMCH), in Chennai. The DEIC organised it with Make-A-Wish Foundation of India.
The gifts were selected in response to the children’s own wishes. They included bicycles, swings, art and craft sets, toys and remote-control cars. Special high chairs were provided for children with cerebral palsy.
According to the organisers, the initiative was intended to bring encouragement, hope and happiness to children during early-intervention therapy. The gifts were a gesture of support, not a medical treatment or substitute for therapy.
Those present included SMCH Dean A. Aravind; Institute of Social Paediatrics director J. Ganesh; Medical Superintendent Jothi Kumar; Resident Medical Officer Vanitha Malar; and DEIC State Nodal Officer Thamarai. Make-A-Wish Foundation of India’s Chennai chapter was represented by chapter head Neda Saba S. and chapter manager Krishna Kumar N.