Oolala’a! Jade growing normal thanks to foundation

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Six-year-old Jade La’a was slow in development after birth.
Today she is normal, after five years of undergoing a community-based rehabilitation programme funded by PNG Digicel Foundation.
She suffered from neo-natal jaundice after birth which disrupted her growth.
Being bedridden for two years, her condition was so worrying that her father Leo had to quit his job and dedicated 100 per cent of his time to her.
In 2014, Jade was identified by therapists of the Cheshire Homes through the community-based rehabilitation programme by the foundation.
Since then she has been visited by physiotherapists.
Two years after, The National interviewed the La’a family, the parents said her condition had improved.
Her speech wasn’t clear and she wasn’t walking confidently at that time either.
Howver, at a recent meet-and-greet occasion the foundation had with beneficiaries yesterday, Jade was seen jumping, running and walking confidently and was able to pronounce words clearly.
Physiotherapist Sylvia Huaieware said through community-based rehabilitation programme Jade had been integrated into the inclusive early childhood care rehabilitation programme of Cheshire Disability Service.
“Jade will be graduating by the end of this year and will go into elementary next year,” she said. “Whenever Jade sees me at Hanuabada, she would call out my name Sylvia and run to me.
“I thank Digicel Foundation for making this possible for us and the hardworking staff of Chesire for their commitment towards Jade.”