“Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high……”I wish I could say that when describing the life of a differently abled person in our country.I am PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN but when it comes to being a parent of a child with disabilities I wish he was born in a developed country where he could have a good quality of life,where the government supported him ,where people were more warm towards people with disabilities.
The life of adifferently abled person and his family is a constant struggle.I try to live in the moment and give the best possible to my 13 yr old son who is severely affected with cerebral palsy since birth.I donot worry much about his future because it only makes me weak.But I do wish our country could make huge progress in this area.If I look 13 yrs back when my son was born and compared this with a differently abled child born today the only improvement I find is that of early diagnosis .But what after that?The quality of treatment plans is the same.We still donot have good experienced professionals in our city.Parents are still running to metro cities for good therapy.Today also most of our neighbourhood schools are not disabled friendly.Admissions for a differently abled child is the biggest challenge for parents.The only difference is that we all have started talking about “INCLUSION” but no one knows what it actually means.I come across people telling me “yes these children should be taught but in a special school ‘.People still feel they are doing ‘charity’ by being friendly or just saying’hello’ .There is change but if we keep taking such baby steps then will this generation or the next will be a witness to the change.I doubt that.
Every night I keep searching the net for any new advanced technological progress that could make my son’s life easier.I am sure one day there will be and I hope it is affordable too.
But then I AM PROUD TO BE BORN IN INDIA because it has family values which are the best in the world.Indians are bound to their families like no one else.Family is where love nurtures and enriches the life of all whether or not it is a Persons with disability.LOVE knows no discrimination.
Today I know even if all world abandons my son ,his FAMILY will always keep loving him the way he is .
No wonder my younger son recently won a prize for a poem recitation competition which I composed :
MY BROTHER
Once I was told some news one night,
About a battle my brother would have to fight.
He was different from the kids who were his age,
Almost like he was on his own separate page.
He had cerebral palsy which I had no clue,
About the things he may not do.
He couldnot walk,run,sit up or play
Almost like he just lay there all day.
I prayed for my brother and the help we had planned
Just hoping that someday he would hold my hand.
As my brother worked hard his time paid off
And before we knew he was sitting straight up,atleast that’s what we thought.
Now there is only one question will he ever walk?
Some say yes and some say no but does it matter?I say no .The way he is, is perfect for me,
Whether he walks or not I am not going to flee.
He is happy how he is you can definitely tell by the smile he gives when you say hi or farewell.
He’ll always be my brother fitting my heart just right,
Laying in my arms when I am holding him tight.
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