Andre Johnson

As told by his father, Delbert Johnson.

“Andre Johnson was born on May 22 1995, in the middle of our civil crisis.  One day, our family was attacked by a group of armed men loyal to the then rebel leader Charles Taylor.  The men claimed to have a "score to settle" with Andre's grandfather and had come to our home to find him.The grandfather was not home at the time so the rest of the family was beaten, tortured, raped, and threatened to be killed.

Andre was 11 months old at the time and he was thrown against the wall to die. Our family were rescued by ECOMOG and taken to their base where we received treatment. We fled Liberia because we feared for our lives. 

Today, Andre is not talking and suffers from cerebral palsy.  He was disabled by war.

While we were living as refugees in Ghana, a support group for parents of children with cerebral palsy was formed by the refugee camp's French physiotherapist in residence.  Once the positive impact of having an environment for the families and children dealing with this condition was realized, the idea of starting a regular center for the children's benefit was formed.  The children with disabilities at the camp were unable to attend regular school, or play with their peers. Often they were rejected and isolated from society.  Soon, after initial discussions of the needs for these children, the vision for a center for children with disabilities was born.

In 2007, the center officially opened as the Harmony Children's Center and welcomed 15 children with various disabilities.  This was Andre's first time entering a classroom.  He was so excited and eager to go each day.  I noticed that the center was a big help to Andre.  Slowly, he began identifying and writing the alphabet.  Due to his condition, it is difficult for Andre to control the muscles in his hand for writing but through constant guidance and practice, he has improved. 

Andre showed the most improvement in the area of "Daily Living Activities," where the children are patiently taught to brush their teeth, dress themselves, take a bath, sweep and other activities to enable them to lead more independent lives.  Andre is now able to bathe himself, partly dress himself and to sweep.  In fact, sweeping has become one of his favorite activities, and he is always helping around the house.

Since returning to Liberia, Andre has missed his time at school and the other parents [NDLR: from Harmony that are now in Liberia] and my family are eager to get the center started in our new community.  We see many other children with disabilities in our community that are left out from school and play. When we tell their families about the center from Ghana that we intend to recreate here, they become very excited.  They thought they would never find a chance for these children to do something.

I want to be thankful to God and the French Physiotherapist and all the wonderful caring parents who established this center.  I believe that if we can get the support to establish the center here in Liberia, we will be able to assist many other children with disabilities and continue the development that our own children started at the refugee camp.  Through the Center, these children and their families will be able to realize the ability in their disability."