Kerala - Kochi   

A home for the physically challenged

IN THE LAP OF NATURE: A physically challenged person relaxes outdoors.

Special schools taking care of different disabilities have come up in quite a few numbers, especially with the Government providing aid to such schools. But not a thought is given to what happens to these children when they become adults and have nowhere to go.

Their parents can no longer carry them on their shoulders. Their siblings too would have grown up and busy with academics and other activities. Most of the mentally and physically challenged people get isolated as they grow up.

Not that these children are not cared for. But working parents are usually not at home to give them company throughout the day.

Such isolation leads to forced inactivity and may lead to more psychological problems, which deteriorates the general health of a person, often leading to early death.

It is to cater to such group of people that Samthushta Sadhanam has been conceived. A home for the challenged for happy living and learning - is how Jose C. Palathingal, director of this venture, describes his initiative. "Special education experts and social service activists have recognised the dearth of opportunity for disabled persons after they leave the special school environs," he said.

Their disabilities may differ and quite a few among them may be meagrely employed or employed in a capacity where their capabilities remain unutilised. Quite a few may be unemployable too, said Dr. Palathingal.

His venture will be opened in June. The emphasis of the institute will be on providing a happy life, relaxed atmosphere with music, computer and yoga interspersed with games (indoor and outdoor) as daily activity.

A little bit of conventional teaching like reading and arithmetic will also be imparted, which will be of help in daily life, Dr. Palathingal said.

Hobbies like gardening will be pursued so that the participants can also earn a small amount with their effort. "Even if the earnings will not be a significant amount, it will help boost their self esteem," he said.

The school is inspired on the lines of such a facility in the U.S., where Dr. Palathingal spent most of his life in an academic-research career as a nuclear physicist.

The day care centre is coming up near Kundanoor near Lakeshore Hospital. Transportation will be available for the participants at the institute who can spend the day from 9.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. for five days a week.

Initially, males with mild disabilities will be taken into the institution. The institute will be starting with only a dozen such participants.

Sadhanam will be taking up the cause of differently-abled individuals of both genders covering different degrees of handicap at a later stage. The institute will be providing all the facilities without charging any fees, including transportation, he said.

For details, contact 0484-2429174 or 9447128078.

Shyama Rajagopal

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