Rehabilitation for people with multiple sclerosis

• Domov svatého Josefa is the only facility in the Czech Republic that methodically cares for patients with multiple sclerosis
• Thanks to sponsors and donors, the center provides extensive services
• T-Mobile contributed CZK 100,000 for rehabilitation programs and other professional care

Prague, 18 February 2008 - Multiple sclerosis, an incurable disease affecting the locomotive organs, usually afflicts people between the ages of twenty and forty. In many cases, its progression can be at least slowed down by proper care and rehabilitation which help patients both improve their physical state and raise their spirits. The only institution in the Czech Republic that systematically helps people suffering from this serious illness is Domov svatého Josefa (St. Joseph's Home), a regional charity center in Červený Kostelec. This year, T-Mobile contributed CZK 100,000 for rehabilitation programs and other professional care provided by this center.

"The dedicated work of committed specialists from Domov svatého Josefa helps people with multiple sclerosis live a higher-quality life. Unfortunately, the necessary rehabilitation is not covered by health insurers and that is why we decided to contribute funds to the center so that it could continue providing services to patients," says Martina Kemrová, Senior Manager of Corporate Communication at T­Mobile.

Domov svatého Josefa is located on the site of a former Jesuit monastery in the vicinity of Kuks Castle in the Hradec Králové region. The regional charity center in Červený Kostelec has been gradually renovating the center since 2001. In addition to wards for patients requiring medical care, it also set up wards for long-term and short-term stays, an advisory center, a rehabilitation center, medical-aid rental, and the St. Ann's Sheltered Workshops (Chráněné dílny u sv. Anny) in which occupational therapy is practiced.

"We take care of fourteen patients who stay with us on a long-term basis. And there are another 28 places available for people staying at our center temporarily. Our experience so far proves that the health condition of our clients tends to improve thanks to regular and efficient rehabilitation, water therapy and massages. Together with their improving health, their self-sufficiency also increases, and their mental state improves. We also know, however, that rehabilitation is beyond the financial possibilities of most of our patients. This is why we place so much emphasis on it in our facility," says Václav Osladil, the manager of the Domov svatého Josefa center.

Financing contributed from the T-Mobile Fund will partly be used to cover the salaries of eight physiotherapists and rehabilitation specialists. The remainder will be used for purchasing rehabilitation aids, particularly special exercise mats. "The care provided by the center is based on a nearly home-like atmosphere that we created here, on the individual approach to each client and, particularly, on the kind-hearted, amiable and friendly behavior of the entire staff," says Václav Osladil.

This is the third year that various projects have received financial contributions from the T-Mobile Fund. T­Mobile distributed the total amount of CZK 6.13 million among 99 projects in the current round of the grant procedure. Funding set aside for the Hradec Králové region is managed by the VIA Foundation which selected 26 projects from this region, distributing CZK 1.4 million among them.

More information is available from ing. Václav Osladil, tel.: 499628502, e-mail: osladil@zirec.hospic.cz, www.domovsvatehojosefa.cz

T-Mobile Czech Republic, a member of the international telecommunications group Deutsche Telekom, has almost 6.2 million customers, the number-one operator in the Czech market. T-Mobile is an integrated operator: in addition to telecommunications services, it offers comprehensive ICT solutions not only for companies, but also for other organizations and individuals. It provides outstanding services in the high-speed network, which was proved repeatedly by benchmark testing performed by umlaut (former P3) with Best-in-Test seal.

T-Mobile Czech Republic places emphasis on taking a responsible approach to the environment and society. It adheres to fair business practices, helps beneficial applications and services to see the light of day, supports non-profit organizations, small businesses and individuals, and lends a helping hand whenever crisis situations arise. The company’s employees serve as volunteers in many places across the entire Czech Republic.

More information about the company is available at www.t-mobile.cz, www.t-press.cz (the portal for journalists) and www.t-mobile.cz/pomahame (information on the company’s CSR activities).

Contact details of the press unit: press@t-press.cz.