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Nacho Doce / Reuters
Rychard Barboso, 5, looks at his physical therapist during a session at the Association for the Aid of Disabled Children (AACD) in Sao Paulo on March 19. All images captured by Nacho Doce of Reuters.
A disabled girl embraces a doll during a session of physical therapy at the AACD on March 19.
The Association for the Aid of Disabled Children (AACD) in Sao Paulo is a non-profit organization that began in 1950 with just 14 patients. It now works with some 8,000 young victims of disabling conditions and diseases such as cerebral palsy, and most of the patients come from impoverished or broken homes.
Reuters photographer Nacho Doce became aware of the clinic through a close friend and was astonished at the range of disabilities the children faced and was impressed with their determination and resilience.
It was the children’s smiles and willpower that drew me to them from the start, as much to those who couldn’t move as to those who couldn’t speak or sense. The parents and even the therapists also showed incredible strength.
-- Nacho Doce
All photos were shot by Nacho Doce in March and April, and were made available to msnbc.com today.
A girl wearing a brace on her leg is assisted by a physical therapist during a hydrotherapy session at the AACD on April 3.
A physical therapist supports Luiza Ezaledo, 2, during a hydrotherapy session on April 2.
Luara Crystal, 5, who suffers from brittle bone disease, lifts a weight next to her physical therapist during a session at the AACD.
Ivan Bevenuto, 4, sits next to his skateboard after taking part in a Capoeira therapy session at the AACD on March 21.
Yara Santos, 9, talks with her mother before a session of physical therapy on March 21.
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It's always heartbreaking seeing children suffering. It is great so many dedicated doctors, therapists, etc. help these children. I don't think the caption in the last photo is correct - I believe those are braces hanging over the wheelchair, not artificial limbs. You can see the girl's bare feet near her mother.
Thank you MG for pointing out the error about Yara's "prosthetic legs", which originated in the caption supplied to us by Reuters. The post has been corrected.
We need a wet-eyed smiley face.
MG is correct. Those are not prosthetic legs hanging from the back of that girl's wheelchair, they are AFO's (ankle foot orthotics), often more commonly referred to as braces.
Thank you for the article and thank you AACD for the work that you do for these kids.
As I look at all these pictures I remind myself how I can easily get stuck in a pity party for such temporary things as long commutes, rude service employees, the price of gas, etc., etc. I ache for the tough road these little warriors have to go down and the emotional toll that their parents must endure on a daily basis. I will take my long commute and spend it lifting up these little ones and their families in my prayers. And searching for a better place to invest my contributions than a glass cathedral or political party. God bless these little jewels.
god bless these precious, precious jewels.......
Maga well said. I know ppl who complain about every little thing, "oh it is too sunny, oh it is rainy, etc...", but when you take the time and take a look at those courageous little souls, you tend to re-calibrate yourself and be more grateful about being healthy first and forget about the little pityful things...
I wish you would stay away from antiquated terms like "broken home." That implies that somehow the home situation is to blame (yes, blame) for the challenge of a physical disability. And honestly, not every divorced or single parent family is broken! Nor is it incomplete in any way. These are special kids indeed. Thank you for sharing such an important part of their journey.
MSNBC - You forgot one very important thing! A link to where we can make a donation to this very worthwhile cause.
I especially love the look of determination on Luara Crystal's face.
I want to get cards with this picture and hand one out whenever I encounter a whiney adult.
You got that right! I was about to start my daily bitchin' until I saw that little girl's face. There is no one going to stop her from lifting that weight!
Thank you dedicated therapists...!!!
If you folks know Portuguese:
https://www.facebook.com/ajudeaacd
http://www.aacd.org.br/
May God abundantly bless the these children who are truly the worlds innocents. Their spirit should serve as an example to all the vice inflicted adults of this world who care only for themselves.
If you ever want to be humbled or find thanks in what you have spend some time in a children's hospital. The most amazing person I have ever met was a 12 yr. old boy. No legs and his stomach was being rebuilt when we had our time in Hell. Smiling all the while, telling me if all went well he could come to the pizza party that night. He was a no show. Still shed a tear when I think of him, braver and tougher than most men. I got my miracle and give thanks every day.
Wow, just wow. I agree with all the comments about how we tend to complain about stupid minor things until we see something like this, and it jerks us back to reality. I used to think of kids like this in terms of how an adult might think of it, the "woe is me", "why did this have to happen to me", "life's not fair" way of thinking. But I've talked to some adults who work with kids with these conditions, and you come to find out that they generally don't think that way at all. Like the article says, they smile, they try, and they don't despair. If they fall, they get right back up and try again. I've been reading about the philosophy of Zen and learning to live more fully in the moment. Let me tell you, if anybody can teach us about appreciation and living in the moment, it's children like these.
IF OUR CONGRESS ever looks at these children and their HANDICAPS. I would BET anyone that CONGRESS would turn their backs and STILL CUT PROGRAMS AND ASSISTANCE to the ones that truly deserve OUR TAX DOLLARS. It is HUMAN.
CONGRESS and ALL the REPUKES & TEA SHYSTERS are SO COLD AND IN HUMAN They do-not see or know how to THINK PAST $$$$ signs and their DO-NOTHINGS. Just cop out and KILL PROGRAMS!!! Is it not HUMAN to KEEP and MANAGE correctly.
This has nothing to do with bleeding liberal thinking. It has to do with MORALS & ETHICS.
And quite FRANKLY BONERBRAINS and his ENTOURAGE REGIME of RADICALS DISGUST ME. When they should be Keeping ,Managing and Expanding Human Programs. With a job well done.