Aid for handicapped

Out of 100 students in the S. P. J. Sadhana School for developmentally handicapped 40-50 students are Parsi Zoroastrians (unacknowledged, uncared for and swept under the carpet by all).

Right now these Zoroastrian students and their parents live a life of social stigma with absolutely no help from their community or relatives. So far not a single Parsi or Zoroastrian elder or trustee has helped or volunteered help even when the School which cures and heals the autistic/hyperactive/Mongoloid children is in danger of being closed down due to lack of funds.

As a parent of a 12-year-old autistic child I know the dedicated hard work put in by the S. P. J. Sadhana School. (http://www.yougivemewings.org). Presently my daughter is a very capable and talented child, scoring excellent scores in all her tests and has received all India medals in painting and art. In swimming she has won silver and bronze medals. She reads newspapers and film magazines, cooks on her own, and makes her own breakfast. She can crack jokes, and shoot short video clips. Her singing is beautiful and in rhythm. She performs solo in front of vast audiences and always wants to be the star. Her school has given her wings.

Due to falling interest rates on fixed deposits, the School funds are drying up. They are short of six teachers and desperately require funds to boost their corpus and to pay for day-to-day activities hence they have requested parents to write to charitable institutions/individuals worldwide for financial help.

Donations in the name of "S. P. J. Sadhana School” may be sent to Dr Rosendo Ribeiro Children’s Complex, Sophia Campus, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mumbai 400026; Tel: 23647913, 23619853.

MEHERNOSH SHROFF