In Cambodia, Saraneth is making a fresh start thanks to physical therapy

Physical therapy supporting children’s development

Since its establishment in 1992, HI’s community-based rehabilitation center in Kampong Cham has welcomed thousands of patients every year. For over thirty years, HI’s teams of physical therapists, prosthetists, orthotists, and social workers have been working there to make rehabilitation services more widely accessible, particularly for those in difficult situations.

Since he started working there, Vimean Sron, head of the physical therapy unit, has treated patients of all ages. Today, he has an appointment with young Saraneth. Saraneth is accompanied by his mother, Dany Hout, who has been coming to the rehabilitation center for two years. Her son has cerebral palsy and has fallen behind in the development of certain motor skills.

“Before HI took him on, Saraneth couldn’t walk, crawl, or even sit up,” explains Dany Hout. “But now he can crawl and sit up on his own; he can even stand up without my help. That gives me a lot of hope; I really hope he’ll be able to walk one day.”

Comprehensive support

Vimean Sron leads Dany and Saraneth to the room decorated with large, colorful murals where the session is taking place. There, surrounded by early learning toys, the boy patiently carries out all the exercises Vimean guides him through like bending his legs and ankles, standing up, sitting down, and getting back up, grabbing plastic rings, etc.

Standing beside him, Dany warmly encourages and praises her son for his progress. Watching the therapist’s movements very closely, she concentrates on memorizing them precisely. That way, once she gets home, she’ll be able to replicate them to continue Saraneth’s development.

“HI has provided us with a walker so that my son can continue practicing at home. We also receive financial support, as HI covers our travel costs and meals every time we visit the rehabilitation center. This has helped us a great deal.”

After thirty minutes of exercises, the brave Saraneth finishes his session. Before setting off again, Dany chats briefly with Vimean. She hopes her son will soon receive leg braces to help him walk.

Feeling confident about the future, she sets off on the journey home, holding her son close.