Differently able
This is about the differently abled children and their life. It espouses the cause of special children, underscoring the need for government and society to accept equal responsibility for their proper education.
YOU SEE the ribbons neatly tied to their braids, bright navy blue uniforms and you cannot help but remember your own school days, as the yellow bus halts again to pick up yet another carelessly smiling child to take them to their learning centre.
A quarter of an hour later you reach the school and what follows is sweet chaos; children groggily taking their bags, gingerly looking at each other and assembling again for their prayers. The events keep reminding you of what most children were like in their school days – a small child crying, missing mom, another one impatiently waiting to jump out of the assembly hall, another lost in his own world, making a thousand dreams for himself… however, in lot of ways these children are different - differently able, capable and manageable than us, the so-called ‘normal’ people.
The school is a special one in Nagpur, which works for the differently able.
Perhaps, the case of mentally challenged has different connotations in different parts of the world. But in India, stigma, institutional confinement, negligence and ill-treatment are the predominant attributes of approach.
Understanding disability
Mental disability is a complex and multi-dimensional problem, the complexities range from inability of cognition of speech to social skills and self–care. The reasons behind one’s disability belong to a wide spectrum, ranging from pre-birth problems to post-birth accidents to genetic malfunctions. Each case of mental disability is unique and so are the solutions for it. More often than not, people consider mental disability as a disease or a disorder. In fact, mental disability has been associated with more myths than facts, hence, leading to additional problems for such children.
Mental disability is a condition; however, on no account does it mean that the person is inept at doing a thing. Mental disability is not work disability; it only means that these people are slower at learning and doing things.
The people and the disabled
Society values uniformity rather than diversity. Thus we tend to see ourselves as ‘normal'. When people are given the right to belong, they are given the right to diversity. But we seldom accept differences and so the tagging as ‘normal-abnormal’ begins. We are at a time where development has taken us to a different level altogether, but we haven’t been successful at changing our outlook towards such children. Medical science divides these people into various categories of intelligence by following the IQ tests, which is fair enough for their medical treatment and improvisation, but taking it to the social quarters is a big mistake we commit. We need to open up our minds and hearts for people who lag a little in the race of life.
The school is a special one in Nagpur, which works for the differently able.
Perhaps, the case of mentally challenged has different connotations in different parts of the world. But in India, stigma, institutional confinement, negligence and ill-treatment are the predominant attributes of approach.
Understanding disability
Mental disability is a complex and multi-dimensional problem, the complexities range from inability of cognition of speech to social skills and self–care. The reasons behind one’s disability belong to a wide spectrum, ranging from pre-birth problems to post-birth accidents to genetic malfunctions. Each case of mental disability is unique and so are the solutions for it. More often than not, people consider mental disability as a disease or a disorder. In fact, mental disability has been associated with more myths than facts, hence, leading to additional problems for such children.
Mental disability is a condition; however, on no account does it mean that the person is inept at doing a thing. Mental disability is not work disability; it only means that these people are slower at learning and doing things.
The people and the disabled
Society values uniformity rather than diversity. Thus we tend to see ourselves as ‘normal'. When people are given the right to belong, they are given the right to diversity. But we seldom accept differences and so the tagging as ‘normal-abnormal’ begins. We are at a time where development has taken us to a different level altogether, but we haven’t been successful at changing our outlook towards such children. Medical science divides these people into various categories of intelligence by following the IQ tests, which is fair enough for their medical treatment and improvisation, but taking it to the social quarters is a big mistake we commit. We need to open up our minds and hearts for people who lag a little in the race of life.
“The biggest irony for mentally disabled is the fact that they cannot be champions of their own rights”, says Navin Deshpande, who runs a special school for such children. Talking to him on the same lines, he says, “Supporting the cause of the disabled is our moral responsibility. Most of the time, I try to take up public awareness programes, so that myths associated with this issue are suppressed. I must say, if society changes its outlook towards treatment of the mentally challenged, a lot of things will improve. Don’t look down upon them, just be patient and kind, give them opportunity and that will work wonders.”
Why special schools?
The Sarva-Shikshan Abhiyaan by the Government of India gives every child a right to study in any school across the country. This has rolled out a debate over the existence of special schools. The points for the debate are that special schools confine these individuals and hamper their social development. Needless to say, integration is a dream that is still miles away. Says Pooja Shrivastav, a Masters student in Psychology, “Special schools according to me, give the right platform since they have individual curriculum for every kid. At a time, when even normal kids aren’t given good education, integration sounds preposterous.”
Why special schools?
The Sarva-Shikshan Abhiyaan by the Government of India gives every child a right to study in any school across the country. This has rolled out a debate over the existence of special schools. The points for the debate are that special schools confine these individuals and hamper their social development. Needless to say, integration is a dream that is still miles away. Says Pooja Shrivastav, a Masters student in Psychology, “Special schools according to me, give the right platform since they have individual curriculum for every kid. At a time, when even normal kids aren’t given good education, integration sounds preposterous.”
Truly, a lot of normal schools have special education cells with no special educator and no improvement for such children. On this, Deshpande comments, “The government needs to understand that giving education to such children is necessary but making suggestions, which are blatantly a far cry from ground realities, is total stupidity! What is ideally required is an opportunity for such kids, just going to a special school is half the battle, the family’s role is also very important. Parents need to be confident and courageous and give such children enough social exposure.”
Family battles
A family’s support works miraculously. It is easier said than done, but siblings and parents shouldn’t think twice before giving such kids good social experiences. A special school’s efforts will be worthless if these kids are otherwise shunted out. Parents most often are emotionally depressed and hence don’t think of ways to improve the quality of lives of such children. Irreversible though, the condition can still be made better. Parents have to be perceived as full partners in the development of the child and development skills with present and future usefulness.
The state has to realise its responsibility of providing the basic rights of a child and effectively provide for all his needs. Mentally disabled children too hold equal rights and the state must effectively realise this. Organisations working for this cause should not become a place where these kids can be dumped and shunted.
They say the journey of a mile begins with a small step. Mental disability is a societal concern. Until we brace ourselves together and try, we cannot take a positive step.
Michael Jackson aptly puts it in a song, “Heal the world, make it a better place, for you and for me and the entire human race.”
Extend a loving hand and a caring heart, now!
Family battles
A family’s support works miraculously. It is easier said than done, but siblings and parents shouldn’t think twice before giving such kids good social experiences. A special school’s efforts will be worthless if these kids are otherwise shunted out. Parents most often are emotionally depressed and hence don’t think of ways to improve the quality of lives of such children. Irreversible though, the condition can still be made better. Parents have to be perceived as full partners in the development of the child and development skills with present and future usefulness.
The state has to realise its responsibility of providing the basic rights of a child and effectively provide for all his needs. Mentally disabled children too hold equal rights and the state must effectively realise this. Organisations working for this cause should not become a place where these kids can be dumped and shunted.
They say the journey of a mile begins with a small step. Mental disability is a societal concern. Until we brace ourselves together and try, we cannot take a positive step.
Michael Jackson aptly puts it in a song, “Heal the world, make it a better place, for you and for me and the entire human race.”
Extend a loving hand and a caring heart, now!
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.really a very good job.told us many things that we should know makes us thinking something for the people.these people are as normal as we are.
.Amrita, amazing job ya.
Very well structured and it told a story of great significance as around 5% of the indian population are mentally challenged.
Keep up the fabulous job
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