An invitation came from The International Cerebral Palsy Society (ICPS), the Dutch Academy of Childhood Disability (Dutch-ACD) and the BOSK, Association of Physically Disabled Persons and their Parents – International Symposium (“A GLOBAL STATUS QUO ON CEREBRAL PALSY, WITH A VIEW TO THE FUTURE”). This came about because Mrs. Archie Hnchcliffe intended to use one of Temba’s speech as part of her presentation but before we left Zambia, the organizing committee put Temba on the program of speakers with a full slot – we just needed to get him to The Netherlands and Utrecht!
The symposium was one of the meetings where cerebral palsy was going to be represented at the highest level in the world and it was good that the participants could hear for themselves first hand experience from a victim coming from Africa and Zambia in particular. Incidentally we were only three from the continent including another parent coming from Uganda.
MYCEPA, still in its infancy, could not have afforded to send both of us for this symposium and obviously Temba could not travel alone. We had to find the funds for the journey urgently if we had to make it in time for the meeting. Barbara worked round the clock contacting friends and possible sponsors for this trip. The answer came just two days after the first e-mail was sent. Mr. Glen Allison.s collegue would send US$4,000 (Four Thousand Dollars to meet our air tickets. This was a miracle but I had one problem. Temba was in Grade XII and was due to write his Final Examination with week. I went ahead renewing his passport but was unable to tell him about the impending journey. The final decision has to come from him, as the focal person of the program. After discussing with the school authorities, there were two options – he could write some subjects and sit for the rest as an external student 2010 or he could not sit at all and come back as fulltime student. The second option was more attractive taking in account his disability. After analyzing the situation, I was grateful that Temba opted to travel, this would give him chance to meet cerebral palsy people from the other side he also realized that Archie will not always be there for him and it was time to get involved in cerebral palsy and make his mark on the international level, it would be good to put Zambia, and MYEPA on the global map.
When it became clear Temba would travel to Utrecht for the Symposium, they gave him his own slot on the program, instead of sharing his time with Archie, he will speak as any other participant. Thus on 3rd November 2009 we left for The Netherlands. Temba’s presentation was brilliant, he handled it so well including the question and answer Session. I had to watch and listen to him like anyone else, there was nothing Archie or myself could do to help him. I did not have to say anything during the presentation, he said it all and I also wanted him to realize what an impression he has created without help from anyone.
The chairperson commented, “Look at how confident he is, he could have chaired!” Temba turned to the audience and asked “anymore questions?” and we all laughed.
It was a happy reunion for Temba who saw Archie when he was very young, soon we met Jean and her husband Kennet Westmacoat who took responsibility over Temba and I had time to meet other people.
I had a chance to speak on Saturday 7th November 2009, this was after the presentation of Mr. Godfrey Muwonge from Uganga, his organization is HOPE for Cerebral Palsy in Uganda (HOCEPA). I just had to fill in the gaps and together we sold the plight of cerebral palsy children in Zambia and Uganda as well as the challenges of having no proper facilities and the urgent need for permanent rehabilitation centres.
Temba chatting to the lift-up crew before boarding the Kenyan Airways
Temba and I on the plane
We then received an invitation from the organizer, Mr. Johannes to attend the meeting in our capacities as a parent of cerebral palsy and Temba as a victim himself. Actually this meeting was for all those who were dealing with disability and cerebral palsy in particular, care givers, doctors, researchers, physiotherapists as well as parents. Research was finding out more and more that no matter how good therapy is if the parents are not included in the process the results are not as good. It has to be a partnership between all the parties involved.
Listening to the official opening of the International Cerebral Palsy Symposium in Utrecht
Temba before giving his Presentation to the International Cerebral Palsy Symposium
Temba chatting to Thor, a lecturer with CP condition and Frida, another lecturer. They are from Norway and Sweden, respectively
MYCEPA 