Organization for people with special needs MOTUS VITA

Main objectives: to improve the quality of life for ALS/MND patients and their families

MOTUS VITA activities 1. Health issues Creating an information base about ALS/MND disease. Motivating and supporting specialized medical professionals to improve their professional skills. Assisting in providing people with assistive technologies for expanding their physical capabilities. Increasing public awareness of neuromuscular diseases, everyday problems theyŗe facing and possible solutions to those problems. 2. Social questions Computerization program for members of MOTUS VITA Encouragment and help for people with neuromuscular diseases - to improve their professional skills and mastering new job skills within their abilities. Art Therapy programm Creative Workshop programm A program of cultural events Protecting the rights and interests of people with disabilities, monitoring human rights and freedoms of people with disabilities

An information base about ALS/MND disease At present, work is carried out on the creation of an information manual on ALS / MND disease intended for patients and their families. The manual will answer questions regarding the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, adaptation, psychological support, equiping house, tehnological oportunities available to patients in Latvia. In the work of creation informatiom base are involved members of MOTUS VITA, specialists of the Association of neurologists, physiotherapists and ergotherapists of Latvia. Sending requests to the International Alliance of ALS / MND Associations and national organizations to support our work with spreading this information to bigger audience

Motivation the state, municipal and specialized authorities to address the problems of people with ALS / MND diseases Controling the creation of the National Plan for Rare Diseases, which is developed by the Ministry of Health of Latvia. Participating in the programs of the Association of neurologists and physiotherapists of Latvia on ALS / MND disease. Work in committee for the Disabled at the Riga City Council.

Meeting with the European Association of rare diseases EURORDIS On representatives of EURORDIS with the help of MOTUS VITA organized a meeting in Riga. In early 2013 will be registered and will start work the Latvian National Alliance of rare diseases.

VII Nordic ALS/MND Alliance “Baltic Bridge” meeting “SERVICES FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH ALS/MND” Meeting in Jurmala was attended by delegations from six countries-including patients, family members, assistants, doctors, social workers, representatives of the Latvian authorities. The meeting members helped MOTUS VITA to develop program of further work in order to achieve maximum benefit for patients ALS / MND diseases.

Development of specialized technical aid device center and system for handicapped people who are suffering from neiromuscular illnesses (ALS/MND) to ensure they could get technical aid devices (STP) and those devices could get maintenance. Handicapped people who have been prescribed to have specialized technical aid device (STP) by doctors, but can't get it from the States technical aid device center ( long waiting time, the device is unavailable ) come to associations MOTUS VITA specialized technical aid device center. Specialists from association MOTUS VITA together with an ergo therapist find the necessary STP for the person that needs it. MOTUS VITA gets its STPs in cooperation with International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations. STP is leased on a long term to the person untill an analogical STP is provided by States technical aid device centre. Motus VITA technical centre provides maintenance and service for the STP over the lease period.

Courses in Computer technologies Computerization program for members of MOTUS VITA started in The program is carried out without funding. Teaching is performed by volunteers.

A trip to Rundale

Meeting with Dinamo Riga hockey team

Camp “Wings for Wheels’’

Art-therapy for people with ALS/MND

MOTUS VITA exhibition

Our awards

Thank you for attention!