By Vivian Emoni

Dr Tinuke Temitope, Founder, Mitcheal Kehinde Oluwadarasimi (MKO) Foundation for Special Needs and Caregivers, has urged governments and society to strengthen support for caregivers.

Making the call in Abuja on Saturday, she also sought improvement in inclusion of children living with disabilities.

Temitope spoke at the 2026 Mitcheal Legacy and Caregivers’ Support Meet-Up, with the theme, ‘From Remembrance to Impact: Supporting Caregivers, Promoting Inclusion.

She said caregivers’ mental health, emotional wellbeing and welfare deserved greater attention in efforts to improve the lives of children with special needs.

According to her, caregiving involves considerable physical, emotional and financial demands, often leaving families struggling without adequate support.

She said the foundation was established following her son Mitcheal’s experience with cerebral palsy after developing the condition from meningitis at four months old.

Temitope said his 14-year journey involved repeated hospital visits, seizures, medication, therapies, special education and considerable financial and emotional pressures.

Mitcheal died on Oct. 29, 2025, but his life inspired the foundation’s advocacy for children with disabilities and their caregivers.

She said his experience also informed her book, ‘The Light We Called Mitcheal: A Journey of Faith, Courage and Love Through Cerebral Palsy’, recently launched.

The founder said the foundation sought to establish a sustainable support community where caregivers could exchange information, access resources and receive encouragement.

She disclosed that the organisation recently conducted disability awareness and inclusion outreaches in five government secondary schools in Abuja.

The initiative reached approximately 1,000 students, promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion of people living with disabilities.

She stressed that acceptance alone was insufficient, noting that meaningful inclusion required deliberate commitment, consistent action and an enabling environment.

The meet-up featured mental health and wellbeing sessions, personal-care activities and presentations by Nile University students on innovation and disability support.

Temitope urged caregivers to prioritise their physical and mental health, stressing that their identities and personal needs extended beyond caregiving responsibilities.

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, First Deputy President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, commended the foundation for supporting vulnerable children and their families.

Adesugba said the founder had transformed personal grief into a platform for advocacy, service and support for families affected by disability.

He said Mitcheal’s life demonstrated that human worth should not be measured by physical ability, speech, mobility or personal achievements.

He described caregiving as physically demanding, emotionally exhausting and financially draining, often taking a toll on caregivers’ wellbeing.

Adesugba called for sustained advocacy, improved access to healthcare and education, greater inclusion and stronger partnerships supporting affected families.

Also speaking, Mitcheal’s father, Mr Samuel Temitope, condemned the stigmatisation of children with disabilities.

He urged Nigerians to stop attributing disabilities to children’s physical appearance or the alleged sins of their parents.

Mr Temitope called for greater societal acceptance, love and support to ensure children living with disabilities felt valued and included.

Sola Adeniyi, Senior Pastor of Christ Apostolic Church, Kuje, Abuja, also shared his family’s experience with cerebral palsy.

He said discovering that his daughter, Favour, had cerebral palsy came as a shock, prompting the family to seek medical attention.

Adeniyi said his daughter lived with the condition for 13 years before dying in June 2026.

He advised parents to seek professional medical care, connect with families facing similar challenges and speak openly about their experiences.

He said such connections could help families overcome stigma, exchange useful information and access appropriate guidance.

Similarly, Mr Abanum Ifesochi, Chief Executive Officer of Pathbridge Care Foundation, urged the government to strengthen support for children with disabilities and their families.

Ifesochi said inadequate support and services had forced some families to relocate abroad in search of better care.

He called for increased public awareness, stronger advocacy and improved access to hospital appointments and other essential services.

He also urged authorities to tackle discrimination and provide more effective support for families caring for children with disabilities. (NAN)

VOE/KTO

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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo