St Gregory’s has worked with Ekaterina Klochkova to improve the care of disabled children since our beginnings as a charity. In recent months, Physical Rehabilitation, the charity she founded in St Petersburg, has developed significantly, allowing them to serve more families.
A new website allows staff to track children’s progress more easily, saving a great deal of time. It also allows parents to book appointments and communicate with staff, and makes information more accessible to the public. Sadly, their excellent new Instagram page is no longer accessible in Russia. With Facebook also shut down, their social media is moving to Telegram.
The children’s parents are now represented on the organisation’s board, giving them a chance to help shape their services.
A new occupational therapist also joined the team in September. Diana Shurygina worked under supervision while completing her studies. Since the start of this year, she has been working independently with families.
Lastly, our colleagues have acquired a 3-D printer, which allows them to create personalised equipment for their children cheaply and easily. A series of workshops for parents is planned. In these they can learn how to use 3D-printed buttons to adapt toys and electronic equipment so their children can use them. Other workshop themes include recipes for children with difficulties swallowing and adapting the home to allow more independence.
We are delighted for the families and children who will benefit from these changes.
