Creative challenge

"Today is the proudest day of my life,” declared Vahishta Major who was among the 51 students with special needs who received their graduation certificates at the hands of the former President of India Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. Carrying lamps in their hands, donning black gowns and caps, the students of the S. P. J. Sadhana School had earlier ambled through the aisles of the Sophia Bhabha Hall on the evening of March 10, 2010 before they climbed up the stage to share the dais with the chief guest.

"I have attended thousands of graduating ceremonies but today is unique,” stated Kalam, clearly impressed that these students who had successfully completed the five-year Polytechnic and Vocational Course have already been recruited by different employers and assured monthly emoluments ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 25,000.

"Every autistic child is a spiritual challenge to the family,” Kalam reminded the packed auditorium that included parents, family members and well-wishers of the students. Educating such children requires "comprehension, competency and creativity,” he stressed, giving credit to the founders, teachers and volunteers who run the Sadhana School with "unstinted efforts.”

Whilst giving credit to her alma mater for imbuing in her the self belief, independence, freedom and confidence to face life’s challenges, Major who suffers from Down’s syndrome with mild intellectual disability was among the students who specialized in visual arts and crafts. Her entire schooling was in a "very safe, happy and congenial environment,” appreciate her parents.

"It has been a tremendous journey watching my son grow from a scared, awkward and timid little boy to a bold and well mannered young man who has featured in a fashion show along with models, has been to 10-day educational and recreational school trips which taught him to be independent and has taken part in school concerts which helped him overcome his shyness,” commented Mahrukh Mirza, mother of 23-year-old Down’s syndrome student Darayus who has severe cognitive deficiency and partial speech impairment but excels in beadwork and pasting.

(Top row) : Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam with graduates of S. P. J. Sadhana School; Left: (clockwise from top left): Jamsheed Sorabjee, Darayus Mirza, Vahishta Major and Sharmin Tangri ; Below: from left: Dr Radhike Khanna, Abdul Kalam, Zena Sorabjee and Sister E. Gaitonde ; Exhibits on view at "Om Expressions” including painting (far right) created by Baji Dinshaw (inset)

The hospitality and catering batch included 50-year-old Jamsheed Sorabjee who is severely intellectually disabled with cranial stenosis and autism. His mother Zena appreciated the institute constructed a program to suit his disabilities and age such that he "blossomed into a conscientious and enthusiastic learner” when exposed to speech, music and animal-assisted therapy. His camp excursions too benefited him enormously. Observing the "tremendous change in my son,” she added, "My greatest regret is that I did not discover this School much earlier.”

Yet another Down’s syndrome patient Sharmin Tangri is an enthusiastic member of the hospitality and catering department who last year won the first prize in a cooking competition organized by the Association for Welfare of the Mentally Handicapped. During her years at Sadhana "she has learnt to control her hyperactive behavior, talk properly and has become more mature,” mention her parents who are happy that she will now be employed at Om Creations.

"Every disabled child has come in a new package from the universe and with this ideal I envisioned the future of the school,” remarked Dr Radhike Khanna, the pillar for both Sadhana and Om Creations. Hoping that the Sadhana children would carry with them their skills and values to their new workplace, she observed, "The progressive change has been inclusive and visible in each and every area to enhance the quality of our students.” Referring to their renowned polytechnic courses she pointed out that while in India there is three percent reservation for those who are physically disabled, there are no concessions for those who are intellectually disabled.

J. B. Petit students with (from left) Anahita DeVitre, Abdul Kalam and Rema Iyer lighting the traditional lamp

"This graduation ceremony celebrates innumerable barriers broken…” commented Sister E. Gaitonde, principal of Sadhana that operates from the Sophia College campus, off Breach Candy. "Today is a milestone for many,” she referred to the special souvenir brought out on the occasion highlighting the accomplishments of each of their graduating students "stepping out with trust in the world… where they will be their own advocates and own ambassadors.” Unfortunately, "the intellectually disabled are the most marginalized and most misunderstood in society,” she regretted, preferring that they be viewed as "a transformational force in society.”

Talented artists of Om Creations Trust, a workshop for mentally challenged young adults, got an opportunity to showcase their talent at a three-day exhibition entitled "Om Expressions.” The exhibition inaugurated by Brinda Miller at The Viewing Room, Colaba from March 30 to April 1, 2010 saw nearly 50 art exhibits on sale in the range of Rs 2,200 to Rs 12,800. These mentally challenged adults at Om Creations are trained by two young artists who had studied at the Sir J. J. School of Arts: Nutan Patil who is their ceramic-mural art teacher employs the slab method to improve their hand-motor coordination and Meghna Patpatia teaches them canvas painting using methods like stippling, palette knife technique and layering of paint. Depending on their inclination and comfort level with a particular medium the teacher guides the work of the differently abled towards an aesthetic output.

Founded by some motivated individuals like Kersi Kapadia, Thrity Shastri and Durga Jain, parents of mentally challenged girls, Om Creations empowers those who have been trained at the Sadhana School and some others to contribute productively and thus earn a monthly stipend.

Among their recent success stories is that of 42-year-old Baji Dinshaw who is suffering from chronic schizophrenia since childhood, mentions Zaver Sepoy who is in charge of the Trust’s public relations. Om Creations filled a void in his life giving him a place to come to every day, feel cared for and needed. Having never experienced such an outburst of freedom he was initially scared of shedding his inhibitions. But once the choice of colors, brushes, strokes and techniques were grasped by him he was able to find an outlet for his emotions and cope with everyday life.

Parinaz M. Gandhi