Saint Vincent Ain Karem cares for 60 children and young adults with special needs: this means that their motor skills (sitting, walking, eating, control of movements…) as well as their cognitive skills (talking, recognizing people and objects, understanding situations…) have been delayed or is very slow. For most of the children, the disabilities are the consequence of brain damage (before or after birth), others present with genetic problems, and there are some for whom the cause is unknown.

Physiotherapy

The physiotherapists are responsible of many professional tasks such as: respiratory therapy, treating lymph problems, rehabilitation pre and post surgeries. In addition the therapist must provide ordering corsets, splints, adapted wheel chairs, treatment equipment such as walkers of all its kinds and standing boards.

Physiotherapist prepare individual treatment program for the children: standing board program, walking training or in walkers, positioning in bed and in wheel chairs. Other tasks are: maintenance of wheelchairs, corsets, splints and any other physiotherapy equipment, instructing the staff to do physiotherapy exercises, and how to use of all physiotherapy equipment…

Hydrotherapy

This is a therapy where we use our Jacuzzi room as a mean to attain higher physical and mental goals. The Jacuzzi has been “snoezelened” in order to give the children an environment that is most suited to stimulate all their senses, such as: tactile, hearing, seeing, smelling. Child who has a medical referral has individual treatment in the Jacuzzi.

Not only do the children benefit from the “snoezelen-Jacuzzi”, which is a sensory environment, but they also are given certain physiotherapy stretching exercise, stepping and active movements, which are much easier experienced in water than in a regular physiotherapy room. It’s unbelievable that children who cannot move in a regular environment are able to move in the Jacuzzi. This together with the calm, relaxing environment, raises the quality of life of the children.

Reflexology

Reflexology is an ideal therapy for the children. As they are disabled and have restricted movements, the foot massage improves their blood circulation and relaxes their muscles. It also enhances their respiratory condition.

From the children’s side, the importance of this therapy lies in the 20 minutes they get unadulterated attention and a gentle, attentive and enjoyable massage.