Adarsh observes World Disability Day 2008 

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 December 3rd is observed as world disability day all over. Adarsh too did so, mainly by two functions-

  1. Formal inauguration of its HOME BASED REHABILITATION PROGRAMME.Under this programme, 5 children have been identified, 3 affected by Cerebral palsy, 1 by mental retardation and 1 by Downs Syndrome. ,residing in 3 panchayats near Adarsh- Chottanikkara, Mulan thuruthy & Udayamperoor. These children, ranging from 5 years to 20 years in age have not so far attended any clinic or school due to severe logistic problems including financial. Adarsh has formed a team of a special educator and a therapist to visit them at their homes  on 2 days a week and give them therapy and training. The intention is to increase the number of such children being trained under this scheme to be increased to 15 by March. Presidents of 2 panchayats were present at a small function organized at Adarsh. Shri Nandakumar, Executive Director , BPCL Kochi Refineries was the Chief Guest at the function.

 

2. Child Developmental Evaluation , Intervention & Research Centre (CDEIRC) of Adarsh , set up on 3rd December 2007, celebrated its first anniversary on 3rd December 2008. A programme was arranged at the Changampuzha Park, Edappally  in the evening. Dr. Abraham Paul, a well known paediatrician of Ernakulam and currently President ,IMA Cochin  chapter, was the chief guest. Dr. Neena Shilen, Developmental Paediatrician, Sunrise Hospital , Ernakulam was also present and spoke. She ,along with Ms.  Prabha Ranganathan chaired the interactive session with parents. It was heart warming to hear some of the parents come forward and express their satisfaction at the progress of their children – children of Autism and LD sections. The Chairman of Adarsh announced that soon , Adarsh would be starting a programme of home visits to homes of Autism children by teachers . He explained that the scheme had been thought of keeping in view the fact that the full participation of parents was required for achieving the best results and therefore a scientific study of the home environment and appropriate modifications were essential. A programme of a few items of dance, fancy dress and speech by children was also put up. The audience enjoyed these. In fact, we feel that many of them, particularly total outsiders, normal visitors  to the Park, left with a feeling of surprise that children , normally considered “disabled”, could be trained to do so much.