‘Acceptance comes from within’ yet often, we being a part of the society treat the special children around us as different. We ignore them or consider them as different humans and then we blame that the society feels so. But, on the occasion of World Disability Day on December 3, each one of us ought to realise that these special kids are a blessing and a special handmade of the same Creator and part of the same creation just like you and me.
Valerie Gomes, a mother of two, has fought the war with the world for her special daughter Kimberly Gomes. She has gone from hospital to hospital, doctor to the surgeon, clinics to ayurvedic, church to church just to make her daughter’s life better and improve her condition. She recollects, “I have faced the worst of insults and the darkest situations while I was struggling and begging people to help my daughter.” Having done all the possible medication, spent all the money and approached all the possible people, Valerie has finally surrendered her entire life in the hands of the Lord and is happy the way she and her daughter is today.
“I live in a happy family along with my husband, my small son, and my special daughter who is 20 years old now,” admits Valerie. Well, having faced a lot of struggle both financially and emotionally, she owes everything to the support of her husband. She says, “No money can do Justice, nobody can care for their kids except a mother and a father. A child is the responsibility of the parents, not even of the siblings,” claims Valerie. So, she urges every parent to accept their children the way they are with various specialities and disabilities; for everything happens for a purpose.
Moreover, little Kimberly is extremely good in sports especially football, dancing, perfect in art and has won several medals too for sports. Through Happy Hours Workshop Kimberly has developed various creative skills and has become more extrovert. As a mother, Valerie has learnt ‘Acceptance of life’ and the power to face anything in life because of Kimberley. She says, “My baby always keeps smiling and teaches me to take life with a smile. It is because of her that I have come close to God and become so strong in life.”
Well, Family is the strongest support and the greatest asset that anyone can possess in this world. And, this holds true for the special child Lata Kumar, 43, who is taken care by her younger sister Pooja Masand and her husband. Upbringing plays a major role and Pooja is grateful to her parents for having taught her the sensitivity towards her special sister. She says, “My sister is like my baby. Even though we have our son, we have done everything for my sister just like our child.”
Pooja often takes Lata for a walk and when people stare at her, Pooja just does not bother. She says, “I don’t care what the society thinks! I am not bothered whether the society will accept my special sister; I have accepted my sister the way she is and I am blessed to have her in my life.”
Lata is truly a special child for she helps in the kitchen, household chores and serves the guests always. Pooja says, “I have learnt the biggest virtue of life- ‘Patience’ from my sister. She has taught us to be calm in any circumstance of life.” Pooja is of the opinion that everybody has their problems and difficulties so just be a little sensitive to others especially to these special ones.
‘People are just not bothered, there is lack of concern’ is what Sandeep Aggarwal feels who takes care of his special sister Deepa Aggarwal. Sandeep belives that these special kids have far better ways of expressing emotions and are way more sensitive than any of us. He says, “My sister cried when I was hurt and in pain. Though she could not speak anything, she stood quietly and cried for me. I felt her pain.”
“I agree it is difficult to accept these special kids but is it difficult to involve them in society as well?,” questions Sandeep as he has given up his professional business just to spend time with his sister. He also considers his wife, who is a doctor by profession, as his biggest strength for she takes care of Deepa’s medication.
Deepa, 43, is a socially humble child and expresses strongly with genuine emotions and gestures. Sandeep says, “My sister has taught me to be patient and loving in all that we do. It is because of her that our life is so different and beautiful. Now, I know how to do things without getting irritated of it.” Sandeep urges the society to be a little sensitive towards these special kids and show some concern for them.
Happy Hours Workshop, an initiative by Manju Shah, has taught all these special kids various social, physical and creative skills. Moreover, it has made these kids responsible and loved by creating a home for likeminded children.
However, many special kids face a lot of difficulties and trauma everyday because of their own families and society. Sometimes, their parents abandon them due to lack of finance, acceptance and sensitivity. Some kids are left orphan without anyone to look after as their parents pass away. What is the future of these kids?
Finance plays a huge role right form medication to simply taking care of them. So, instead of helping any institution, we request you to help these kids directly. The guardians of these kids can also help other special kids who are undergoing the same crisis. Lastly, it would be a great favour if all of us could not STARE at these special ones whenever we see any but just sigh a sweet smile at them! A small effort to make a better place, is it too much to ask for?
