As a socially responsible body, the Mountain of Fire and Miracles (MFM), Akute Mega Region, South-West 229, hosted a seminar focused on supporting parents and caregivers of children with special needs. The event, which held on Sunday, February 15, 2026, brought together experts in special education to provide practical guidance and emotional encouragement to parents navigating the challenges of raising these children.
Titled ‘Caring with purpose: Practical, emotional and spiritual support for families raising special needs children’, the seminar addressed topics ranging from the importance of early intervention, to dealing with the ‘why me syndrome’, lifestyle support and dietary changes necessary to ensure a healthy life for children with special needs. Tips were also offered to parents and caregivers to prevent burnout, and for the church to build inclusive communities.
The session was led by Mrs Amina Omoike, a psychologist and Mr. Bidemi Jaiyesimi, a therapist and Service Director at Magnificient Therapy Services, an organisation that works with and cares for children with special needs and other developmental challenges.
Opening the session, Omoike said that the workshop was to create awareness and generate action. She said that children with special needs required specific support due to physical challenges that impacted their learning, development and daily functioning.
She highlighted the three broad categories of special needs which are physical such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and sensory impairments; cognitive like autism spectrum disorder and learning disabilities; and behavioural like attention deficiency and hyperactivity disorder.
Jaiyesimi, in his lecture, explained that most parents with special needs children often have the ‘why me’ syndrome which is the emotional reaction many parents experience when they discover their child has a disability or developmental condition. “Most parents of special needs children often wonder ‘why me’. People start wondering ‘Why did this happen to my child?’, ‘Did I do something wrong?’, ‘Why is our family going through this?’ These thoughts are especially common after diagnoses such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or other developmental differences.
“A lot of parents beginning to think about the child’s future, fear about long-term care and independence and compare themselves with other families,” he said.
Jaiyesimi explained that the ‘why me syndrome’ is a natural human response and does not mean the parents don’t love their children. It usually reflects overwhelm and fear, not rejection. He advised that parents of children with special needs should avoid anger, withdrawal from the children, depression and hiding the children from the public.
He said that instead parnets should rather be asking the question: “How can I help my child thrive?”
Jaiyesimi gave some home tips on how to care for these children includinh daily hygiene routine and proper nutrition. He advised that children with special needs should avoid regular cow milk and processed foods. “Please, give your children natural foods only. Cut out processed foods and artcifial foods. This will help them grow well and help theor brain function properly,” he said.
Speaking after the service, Pastor (Dr) Ayo Smith, the mega regional overserer said “We want parents to know they are not alone. Raising a child with special needs can be overwhelming. Our goal is to connect families with resoirces like this, professionals and each other.
“These special needs children are not mistakes. In this church, we walk this road together, and we believe every child is created with purpose and dignity. Even our Father-in-the-Lord, Dr. DK Olukoya has taught us (pastors) in the higher schools about something called genetic deliverance and this is where conditions like this are adrressed,” he said.
“This program is important because families raising children with special needs often carry invisible burdens,” said Pastor Daniel Brooks. “By bringing resources, professionals, and spiritual encouragement under one roof, we’re reminding parents that they don’t have to navigate this journey alone. The church should be a place of support, understanding, and practical help.”
In addition to informational sessions, the seminar also explained the importance of helping the children live a normal life by not hiding them amd denying them of basic necessities of life.
One parent said she often wooried about ohow her autisitic child wil be received, but the event made her feel understood, noting that it was a timely session especially for young and would-be parents.
The Akute MRO emphasised that while the event was open to the entire community regardless of religious affiliation. He added that the church was planning for more programmes like this as a means to cater to family unity knowing that the family is the first church.
The MRO noted that the programme was strategicallay planend for the Family Sunday which holds every theord Sunday of the month across all MFM churches. At this service, issues concerning marriage and paretign are discussed and addressed practically.
