About:
AL UMEED REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION (AURA) for Cerebral Palsy began in a two-room premise in Karachi in 1989 and now it has flourished into a first of its kind facility in Pakistan catering to the needs of the underprivileged, differently abled children suffering from Cerebral Palsy. It now works from custom built building in Gulistan-e- Jauhur, Karachi
A team of qualified and dedicated therapists, special educators and auxiliary staff are give hands on training and impart these services under the supervision of an equally dedicated Chief Operating Officer and Director of Therapy.
History of AURA:
As a result of the traumatic experience that Dr. Ruby Abbasi suffered when her youngest son Bilal fell victim to post Viral Encephalitis Cerebral Palsy, as a toddler at the age of 2.5 years. Bilal remained wheel chair bound till the end of his life (November 29th 2005).
The non-profit making NGO was later formed by her in 1989 along with her husband Dr. Major Anwer Ahmed and other affected parents, doctors, physical therapists and eminent social workers. ALUMEED REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION (AURA) for Cerebral Palsy is registered with the Social Welfare Directorate Sindh vide Regd No. DSW (425)-K has a Tax Exemption Status # u/s 2(36) (c) and is eligible for Donations whether individual or corporate. Donations could be for the Child Sponsorship Scheme/General/Zakat/in Kind. It is also registered with PCP (Pakistan Center for Philanthropy) vide registration no. PCP-2015/366.
Services/Treatments Available for CP Children:
First Assessment-Therapy (BOBATH Concept)-Hydrotherapy-Rehabilitation program including special education, vocational training and recently introduced Inclusive education program with the street children, are the Primary Services besides door to door Pick & Drop Service.
AURA being a dynamic Institute keeps adding/modifying many other projects to help these differently able children to become an important piece of the fabric of our society.
Children at AURA go on regular field trips and picnics. The children enthusiastically celebrate all the important events (National/Personal), participate in various activities such as special Olympics and naat/Art/tableau competitions.
The facilities at AURA also include assistive technologies for the children with CP to help them encounter everyday tasks with ease. Chairs and desks in the class rooms are modified in a way to improve the children’s postural alignment. The gym at AURA is equipped with adaptive supplies to cater to the needs of every child and to encourage exercise. In addition, there are tools to facilitate independent feeding, ADL with dynamic adaptive devices, adaptive chairs and hammocks for sensory integration and cars with special safety belts while travelling.