Hope and Recovery series– Valentine and Valentina

Now in its 21st year, the Lady Cox Rehabilitation Centre continues to expand the array of services that it offers to patients of all ages. Physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and hydrotherapy are each available at the centre, which now employs 73 staff and treats over 1,000 patients a year.

Founder and Director of the Centre, Vardan Tadevosyan and his staff continue to break the stigma surrounding disability through exemplifying what can be achieved with training and commitment. The Centre has brought about transformational change to people with disabilities who would have otherwise been isolated and neglected.

This series aims to highlight the experiences of the staff and patients at the Lady Cox Rehabilitation Centre.

Valentine and Valentina’s experience at the centre:

(Internview with Valentine’s mother, Valentina)

[His disability first appeared] when he was one. Then we sent him here (the centre). At first our regional doctor thought that his slow development was because of a heart problem that he had as a baby. So we took him to see the doctor in Stepanakert and they realised that Valentine had cerebral palsy. He had a heart problem because he was a twin. We didn’t know that I was having twins. I only found out during labour and unfortunately, the other twin didn’t survive. Following this, Valentine had heart problems when he was three months old, but he doesn’t have any heart problems now. Valentine doesn’t go to school, but teachers’ come to our home to teach him. He went to school for one year, but he couldn’t keep up, so he is home schooled. The government has paid for his home schooling and he has now learnt to read.

We saw a doctor in Stepanakert, and he referred us here. There is no doctor in our village. When he was eight months old, the regional doctor saw him but didn’t refer him. When he first came to the centre, he couldn’t sit; but now he can sit still. He previously couldn’t eat but now he can feed himself. He has speech, psychology, physical and hydrotherapy. He loves the centre and looks forward to it every time he comes. I just dream that he will be able to walk by himself and want him to be independent.

I can do all of the therapy exercises at home by myself. Every treatment that he gets at the centre I can replicate at home but it’s hard. I have learnt how to dress and undress him, how to help him to sit properly but at home it’s difficult to do by myself.

I want to thank the centre so much for what they have done for my son and the hopes that children like Valentine can find more available therapies as he has already improved so much.

How you can help support the Lady Cox Rehabilitation Centre

 HART’s support is equally as crucial – as the centre’s only other source of financial. HART funds crucially cover additional staff costs and pay for day trips and summer/winter camps for patients. These outings are a critical feature of the centre’s efforts to integrate its patients into society, develop patient’s social skills and enhance their confidence and subsequent independence. Additionally, the occupational therapies offered at the Centre are only possible through HART funding.

Any amount of donation can go a long way at the rehabilitation centre. For example, a donation of £20 pounds can purchase a pair of crutches for a child with cerebral palsy!

If you wish to donate, Please visit the HART website and put s reference to ‘The Rehab Centre’