They may be specially-abled, but they are as good as any other in realising their dreams and making their family proud, writes AKSHAY AZAD
Eighteen-year old Rakesh Kumar, scrambling with last-minute preparations for his visit to Australia, is simultaneously trying to answer the questions being thrown at him about his special journey. The calm confidence in his voice leaves everyone astounded, when they realise that he is perhaps the first specially-abled boy from Jammu to have been selected for the Special Olympics.
Rakesh Kumar, a Down’s Syndrome patient, could well have been lost in the swarm of mentally challenged people, who are a source of cruel entertainment for people in the rural areas, and entirely dependent on their families. Rakesh too would have been restricted to the confines of his home, had it not been for people like lalit Kumar and Dr Ashwani, who showed him the way forward.
Rakesh and his 70 other mentally challenged classmates go to Prerna Institute of Research and Rehabilitation Centre at RS Pura near Jammu city, where they not only learn to solve mathematics problems but also a new way of life. Here, the teachers impart to them the confidence of living life with respect and independence. Mr Kumar and Dr Ashwani encouraged the parents of these specially-abled children to send their wards to the Institute. Prerna Institute has become a ray of hope for the hapless families.
“Till the age of 12, Rakesh was confined to his house. Even though he is not violent in behaviour, one member of the family had to be with him all the time. Being Army Personnel, his father wasn't there most of the times, making it solely my responsibility to take care of him,” says Rakesh's mother, Kanta Devi, her excitement, at the selection of her son for the Games, evident from the glow on her face. Initially, her family was not in favour of sending their child to the Rehabilitation Centre but after Mr Kumar’s constant efforts, they agreed. “Now my son is selected for the Special Olympics and will be visiting Australia. The youth of the village, who had been making fun of Rakesh all these years, are now jealous of him,” she laughs, adding that Rakesh has made his family proud.
like Rakesh's family, 70 others are also thankful to Prerna Rehabilitation Centre that is run by Sehyog India, a non-profit organisation. The persistent efforts of Sehyog India have brightened the future of these children. The weak financial condition of the NGO is an inevitable bottleneck, impeding growth opportunities for these bright children to tap their hidden talents.
State Trainer of Special Olympics, Kamaljeet Kour, says that six children from the institute were selected for the Special Olympics this year. “Though our six children were selected, owing to our weak financial conditions (as one player needs at least Rs 80,000), we cannot afford to send even a single student to Australia,” rues Mr Kour. However, since it is the first time that selections have been made from Jammu, it has been decided to send at least one child for the Games.
Mr Kumar’s elder sister, also mentally challenged, made him realise the stigma she, and others like her, face virtually all their lives. After his father's death and marriage of the other siblings, the responsibility of looking after his sister fell on his mother's shoulders who, despite being a social worker, was forced to confine herself to the house with her daughter.
This realisation made Mr Kumar sensitive to the needs of specially-abled children, especially girls, who are prone to violence. “I started reading books and visiting rehabilitation centres. I realised that these special children can be rehabilitated and they can become independent if some basic training is imparted to them during their early childhood. This idea motivated me to get associated with the Special Olympics”, he said.