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Toys for boys, and girls
8 February 2010
By Lynda Baxter, Autism Specialist and Special Play Teacher
I first met Diana Covalciuc at a summer garden party held by the British Ambassador in Moldova. A quiet and dynamic person, she manages the Hippocrates Centre in Chisinau, the capital of the country. The staff at the centre – two physiotherapists, a psychologist, speech and language therapist and play therapists – work intensely with parents and children to manage their disabilities.
Diana’s determination to improve services for families was evident from this first meeting. Since then, I’ve made several visits to the centre, initially for observation, but latterly to provide some training along with Renate Hallett, a UK physiotherapist.
While I was at the centre, it became apparent that educational toys and equipment were much needed to help with the children’s therapy. I know of the value of these toys because of my own background as a play therapist. When I first met Diana, I had been working in Bender, which is also in Moldova, with a group of girls who had been rescued from an institution. Some of them had severe physical disabilities and had not received any therapy and, as a result, had become severely deformed. This, unfortunately, is often the case in countries like Moldova.
I asked Diana if she would like me to start collecting toys for a toy library – and the answer was a positive one. But the specialist toys and equipment needed are expensive. The centre needs more funding, and space for making and storing equipment. We’re hoping to introduce Appropriate Paper Technology to make standing frames, adapted chairs and, perhaps, toys. Although it requires a three day training course, it will mean that many children with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, hydrocephalus and other conditions could access suitable equipment to prevent deformity, promote development and make their lives more interesting.
