Disability in Cambodia:

This haunting series photographs is from an ongoing project by Simon Larbalestier of Anarchy Images. They document the work of the Cambodia Trust, whose mission is to provide education and employment opportunities for Cambodia's poorest citizens. Larbalestier has provided two additional documents which should also be reviewed. The first -- Tabula Rasa: Disability in Cambodia -- is attached as a Word file here: Tabula Rasa.doc. It further explains the genesis and goals of the project. The second is this pdf which shows more of his project and some background on Larbalestier. There are three points I would like to highlight here. First, Cambodia contains one of the world's largest disabled populations, with Larbalestier noting that there are an estimated 40,000 land-mine survivors there as well as 50,000 Khmer stricken with polio. The second is that the Cambodian Trust could use some funding. So, if you happen to be a Wall Street banker, in search of a cause, this seems a worthy one. And lastly, Larbalestier's work deserves to be seen, so please let others know of its existence and its importance.

Touch Somploy (11) suffers from cerebral palsy (level 5) and lives in one of the poorest districts in the Kampong Som Province. Sometimes the work of the Cambodia Trust faces many cultural obstacles when it comes to helping the families of disabled children. Whilst the Trust can provide a certain level of help and support the daily care and responsability has to fall to the parents of the child and this is impossible to enforce as is the unfortunate case here.

Heng Not (15) a multiple amputee from birth, stands aside to let a Khmer villager laden with grasses pass, on her way home from school. Not joined the Cambodia Trust in 1999 and has been provided with prosthectics, special shoes with built-in inserts and a school support grant to enable her to study alongside her peers.

Huol Srey Von (21) a multiple amputee from birth, is visiting the Cambodia Trust Rehabilitation Centre to have a 'pen holder' fitted. This will enable her to write. Von is also awaiting her wooden wheelchair to be replaced. Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia.

Kanthnov Chey (14) suffers from cerebral plasy (level 5). On days when the pain and spasms recede he likes to watch TV in his neighbours house sitting in his trolley chair provided by the Cambodia Trust.

Nhoeun Srey Em (3), suffers from Down's Syndrome. Em visits the Cambodia Trust Centre in Kampong Chhnang to have a special chair repaired for her from a patient who no longer requires it.

Nary talks with Pen Sontary, Community-based rehabilitation Team Leader for the Cambodia Trust. As the school year ends Nary wants to graduate to another class along with her peers however this isn’t possible until funds are found for a new wheelchair ramp to allow her access.

Since my first visit in July, the specially designed wheelchairs from Japan have arrived (see right). Usually the two sisters; Srey Srous (13) (pictured left) and Srey Chet (23) spend two hours a day in the wheelchairs to assist and develop mobility exercises prescribed by the Cambodia Trust.

Ban Pisey (12) suffers from cerebral palsy (level 5). The Cambodia Trust provide her with a "push wheel" and a special toilet seat. A specially made wheelchair is currently being made for Pisey. She is currently enrolled on the "six over six" physiotherapy program where six consectutive weekly visits are then followed by six weeks "off" then six weeks "on" again. Progress is then accessed and the program adjusted accordingly.

Houm Srey Pech (13) joined the Cambodia trust in 1997 and suffers from cerebral palsy. The Trust provided physiotherapy sessions but as no progress was made, this was discontinued. Some patients are unresponsive to physiotherapy so there comes a point when the Trust must decide to stop and utilise their physiotheraphists to work with other families. A wheelchair has also been provided and a small business development grant my be allocated in the near future.

Kim Leang (6) suffers from cerebral palsy and joined the Cambodia Trust in 2000. The Trust provide orthotic leg braces and physiotherapy on a weekly basis.

Bo Serey Vat (24) suffers from polio and cerebral palsy. He joined the Cambodia Trust in 1995. At that time a wheel chair was provided and Vat has since outgrown it and although the Trust have offered a replacement wheelchair, Vat has declined the offer as he feels it is too uncomfortable to sit upright.

Ban Chan Chhetra (24) suffers from an undiagnosed congenitial birth disorder. Chhetra joined the Cambodia Trust in 1995. Unfortuantely his condition has deterioated to a point where the Cambodia Trust can no longer offer him physiotheraphy support. His legs are now very weak and are constantly in spasm.

Tep Lygoech (6) visits the Cambodia Trust Centre in Sihanoukville to have an orthotic brace fitted to her left leg. Lygoech suffers from osteomyelitis an infection in the bones. Often, the original site of infection is elsewhere in the body, and spreads to the bone by the blood. Bacteria or fungus may sometimes be responsible for osteomyelitis. As a result the bone becomes too soft and breaks very easily. Lygoech got an infection in 2004. The leg brace will enable her leg muscles to be trained and become strong again so she is able to stand.

Los Ply (7) who suffers from club foot (bilateral) tries on new orthotic foot braces outside the workshop at the Cambodia Trust Centre in Kampong Chhnang. Ply has visited 11 times since December 1999 during which time the Cambodia Trust have made gradual adjustments to the orthotics and adapted special shoes as his feet grow.

Sret Chet (23) is affected by cerebral palsy (level 5). Cerebral palsy occurs when the brain is damaged and inaccurate messages are sent from the brain to the muscle. Cerebral palsy is non-progressive, non hereditary and non contagious.