LALIF FCT Commemorates International Usher Syndrome Awareness Day 2020 (Read What you should know about DEAF-BLINDNESS)

LIONHEART ABILITY LEADERS INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION, ABUJA Chapter on 19 September, 2020 Commemorates 2020 International Usher Syndrome Awareness.

The 2020 THEME is OPERATION STOP USHER SYNDROME: LET’S GIVE INDIVIDUALS WITH DEAF-BLINDNESS IN AFRICA A FUTURE!

Deaf-blindness is a combination of vision and hearing loss Which may range from mild limitations to total blindness and profound Deafness. In other words, individuals with deaf-blindness have varying degrees of both vision and hearing impairment. This makes it very difficult for family members and other people in the world of individuals with deaf-blindness to communicate and socialize with them, as well as to provide for their health, academic and other needs. Thus a large number of these individuals grow up dependent and unable to cater for themselves or make a living.

Categories:
1.Those who are totally deaf but with some residual vision- low vision or partial sightedness (long sightedness, short sightedness)

2.Those who are totally blind but with residual hearing: sighted or low vision)

3.Those who have both residual sight (whether partially sighted or low vision) and residual hearing (hard-of-hearing)

4.Those who are totally blind and totally deaf

The causes of deaf-blindness are many. Major causes

1.Syndromes
i Down syndrome ii.Trisomy 13 syndrome
iii. Usher Syndrome

Usher Syndrome is the major cause of deaf-blindness worldwide. Usher Syndrome is a genetic disorder that is characterized by hearing impairment as well as an eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa.
There are three clinical types of Usher syndrome- type 1, 2 and 3.

Other causes of deaf-blindness includes:

1. Multiple Congenital Anomalies: They include:
   i. CHARGE Association
   ii. Fetal alcohol syndrome
   iii. Hydrocephaly
   iv. Maternal drug abuse
   v. Microcephaly
   CHARGE association
2. Congenital Prenatal Dysfunction
   i. Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome
   ii. Herpes
   iii. Rubella disease
   iv. Syphilis
   v. Toxoplasmosis
3. Pheri-Natal Causes
   i. Anoexia
   ii. Premature delivery.
   iii. Accidental fall of the baby from the hands of the surgeon or midwife.
   iv. Wrong use of forceps.
   v. Prolonged labour.
   vi. Malpositioning of the foetus in the womb.
4. Post-Natal Causes
   i. Asphyxia
   ii. Encephalitis
   iii. Head injury/trauma
   iv. Meningitis
   v. Stroke

Some people are deaf-blind from birth. Others may be born deaf or hard-of-hearing and become blind or visually impaired later in life; or the reverse may be the case. Still others may be adventitiously deaf-blind, that is, born with both sight and hearing but lose some or all of these senses as a result of accident or illness.
Do join us in the enlightenment about Usher Syndrome and feel free to contact us for more details about the condition and how to enhance the lives of individuals with Usher Syndrome/Deaf-blindness in our society. Call:
Solomon Okelola: +234(0)8068639028
Titilayo Beyioku-Alase: +234(0)8082523496
Aderayo Adefowora: +234(0)8054473952
Hannah Olayinka: +234(0)67146009
Abiodun Emmanuel: +234(0)8132397230
Send an email to socialchange@lalitransformationafrica.org
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