Along with meeting family in Hyderabad, Jana and I had the pleasure of meeting some very precious kids a couple of days ago, the Abhilasha kids. We dropped in around 10:00am, around their snack time. We were fortunate to be able to meet Bindu, wife of Nandu, the founders of Abhilasha. It was a pleasure talking to her and listening to the wonderful accomplishments she made in developmental disabilities area. She gave us a guided tour of the school. Both Jana and I noticed that it was more spacious than what the website (http://abhilashakids.org/) depicted. Renting a house and converting it to a school was an excellent choice as it gave a homely ambience versus an intimidating school environment. The school had all the colorful toys, playdough, books and games that any preschool carries. Only difference was that, blended with these toys are some equipment to accomodate the special needs of the kids at Abhilasha.
Bindu introduced us to the kids. We were thrilled to finally meet Abhi, her son. Abhi is a handsome, sweet and shy boy. He was trying to hide his face when his Mom introduced us to him, reminded me of how (my daughter) Nandu is when she meets someone new too, for the first few mins :) We didnt get a chance to spend much time with Abhi as it was time for his physical therapy. I told asked Bindu that we can wait if she needs to join her son, but there was no need for that as Abhi independently let himself be lead into the physical therapy room without asking for his Mom.
Next we met Namish, a boy wearing a brown shirt (you'll see the significance of the color soon :). Bindu told him to say hello to Aunty and Uncle, and he got up came forward and said "Hello" to both of us. A little later Jana started chatting with Namish. I was out of their earshot, but I could see that he was having a full fledged conversation, just like with anyother friends' kid. Thta's when Jana learnt that brown is Namish's favorite color. Bindu overheard Jana telling me that and she let us into a secret about Namish: He changes his favorite colors everyday, depending on what he wears or whatever catches his eye :) I can think of atleast 10 colors that Nandu showed her favoritism to depending on whatever :)
And, then there is little Sai. Cutest kid ever, makes you want to give him a hug and a high five when you see him. Bindu gave us a little background on him. Sai was born with Down syndrome. When he first came to Abhilasha a few months ago (please note, its just been a few months), he had no motor skills, no academic skills. He was scared to walk. He couldn't even hold a biscuit and eat it. As a Mom of two very active children, its heart breaking to hear that a child is scared to walk when he should be running, jumping and rolling in mud like our kids do. We yell at our kids to "slow down, be careful, don't get hurt, no more running and jumping, stop eating all that junk", when his Mom is probably waiting for the day when he will do all that and she can be a typical Mom too. Well, she is probably not too far from that day. We saw Sai holding a biscuit while he was chatting with us, not chewing it, but happy to just hold it. After sometime, when he was sitting on the floor and we were getting ready to leave, Bindu asked him to come closer and say Bye to us. He said "Bhayamavuthondi" (I am scared). When he still didn't get up even after some coaxing, Bindu used her trick. She gave him her little finger and he walked to a chair holding onto the tip of her finger. There was no other support from her. She just gave him a feeling of comfort that he was in good hands. And, finally, the grand finale. Bindu asked him to dance like his favorite actor, Prabhas. And, he was more than happy to stand up and show us some moves that even Prabhas probably can't do :) My Dad's favorite saying, "Kaki pilla kakiki muddu". I am one of those "Kakis" (crow) as I go around and tell every T, D & H how my son unlatched a door, and how my daughter colors regardless of whether they want to hear it or not. And, I am talking about 2 healthy kids here. So, I can only imagine how delighted Sai's Mom must have been when she first saw him eating a biscuit, walking, and ofcourse, dancing. Kudos to Nandu, Bindu and her team of Teachers and Therapists. I am hoping I can make a difference too in some Mom's life someday just like they are.
