There are over six million people who are disabled in Ethiopia, representing 7.6% of the total population. The underlying causes of physical disability are frequently misunderstood in Ethiopia, often thought of as a curse from God. As a result access to education is almost impossible and rejection by family and society is common. A lack of adequate healthcare also means that mobility aids are not
widely available - those who are unable to walk unassisted have no choice but to crawl. Cheshire Services has a widespread network of medical facilities that work at the heart of communities to treat orthopedic disabilities and help the community remove the social stigma associated with disability through social rehabilitation services. Cheshire Services is constantly expanding its operations to meet the ever demanding patient needs. Cheshire Services is an independent non-profit making organisation who provide orthopedic and social rehabilitation services for children and young people with disabilities in Ethiopia. The charity was founded in 1962 by British war hero Lord Geoffrey Leonard Cheshire, by invitation from Emperor Haile Selassie's grandchildren, with the intention of rehabilitating children with disabilities. Over the years Cheshire Services has become afiliated with many international charities and continues to expand its operations treating a wider range of disabilities across the whole of Ethiopia.
