Citation

Werner D. Links Cent. Am. Health Rights Netw. 1992; 9(2): 14-7, 20.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1992, Central America Health Rights Network)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12159267

Abstract

Few children now frequent the facilities of PROJIMO, initiated as a rehabilitation program for disabled rural children in Mexico, ever since the organization begun accepting physically disabled and socially troubled young adults. PROJIMO (the Program of Rehabilitation Organized by Disabled Youth of Western Mexico) began in 1981 as a community-based rehabilitation program run by disabled villagers. In its first years of operation, the program served primarily children suffering from disabilities caused by polio or cerebral palsy. PROJIMO quickly gained international recognition and became an inspirational model for similar programs throughout the Third World. But in 1983, PROJIMO took a decision that would transform the character of the organization. That year, after much debate, members agreed to take in Julio, a 15-year-old quadriplegic whose spinal cord injury was the result of an accidental shooting. In taking care of Julio, the team of disabled villagers had to learn an entirely new set of skills: treatment and prevention of pressure sores, the use of catheters, bowel programs, exercise activities, etc. They also had to develop ways of treating Julio's depression, giving him a sense of self-worth. Julio was followed by an influx of other young adults with spinal cord injuries. Many of these young adults came from troubled and violent backgrounds, such as Juan, an orphan who had made his way out of poverty by trafficking drugs. Juan was left paralyzed in a shootout with enemies. The new patrons have scared away PROJIMO's original audience. Parents fear bringing their disabled children to a center frequented by people raised in a culture of violence. The solution appears to be splitting PROJIMO into 2 organizations: one for disabled children and one for socially troubled adults.

Language: en