Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Power of love

There are seven stages of grief, the first being denial and the last being acceptance. How quickly one moves from the first to the last stage determines the person's will to fight and survive. Most get stuck at 'denial' - sad but true.

As part of a series on women with grit, I dedicate this piece to a lady who has not only come to terms with her personal challenge, but has gone a step beyond. She has opened a school for children with learning disabilities. With every step that she takes in this direction there are many like me who gain courage and inspiration. When most of us get dumbfounded by our personal demons, this lady goes ahead and brings hope to the life of others, similarly affected like her only son.



“If there is one thing I learned about friendship after my son was diagnosed as a special kid, it is that it can be very fragile. Being a friend during good times is easy. Yet it is during the difficult times that we learn who our real friends are. I am forever grateful to those friends and family members who supported our family after the diagnosis. They made a choice to accept my son for who he is and help us in any way they could. Making the choice to support a family affected by their child having a learning disorder is one of the greatest gifts you can give. It is also very likely that your act of kindness may turn out to be one of the greatest gifts you receive back as well,” says a mother of a 12 year old autistic child.

In your lifetime, you will probably know more people and families affected by some or the other disability. You can choose to be part of the solution by helping support a friend, family member or neighbour. Take the time to learn not just about the disability, but the individual child. Make the decision to accept children with disabilities and teach your children how they can help by being a friend too.

When a child is first diagnosed as not socially ‘normal’, parents often scramble to find appropriate services, doctors, schools and therapists. What we don't always anticipate is that relationships with friends, family and neighbours often change. Some will stand by our side, doing what they can to help and embrace our child no matter the diagnosis. However, some people will either sit quietly on the sidelines or abandon the relationship altogether.

So what happens when you find out that your friend, family member or neighbour has a child who has been diagnosed with a learning disability? How can you help your friend? How can you help their child?  There are many ways you can assist, from talking to offering a play date.

Be there; spare a few hours every week to reach out to families who are facing this challenge. It sounds easy enough, but parents of such children need someone to listen and ask how they are doing. As a friend, you may not understand all the jargon, but you can lend an ear and also learn in the process. Offering to come over for a cup of coffee or to get together just to talk can be one of the best ways to help your friend get out of his/her bubble and combat the isolation. If not a friend, you can also contribute your time to non-profit schools and organisations that are catering to these children. The schools need more than trained staff, they need people to paint their benches and mow the lawn. These schools are doing a great job and you can be a part of it by just being open to the idea.

Bring forth a smile, have a play date. Play dates with special children might not be like a typical play date. Even if the play date is a little out of the ordinary, it will offer the kids an opportunity to learn typical social behaviours/skills from other children. For the typical kids, the play date may provide a lesson in acceptance and tolerance of people who are different from them. Acceptance is a lesson that is learned best by doing, so your children will benefit as well. It can be of great experience for both families. As neighbours to affected families go a little beyond sharing a cup of sugar. Invite them over with their child and be open and accepting of the family and the related issues.

Offer respite, it is the best help you can give. Whether the child is a toddler, adolescent or adult, respite is often a complicated issue for parents. Many parents who have children with disabilities are overwhelmed with the day to day responsibilities. Some children on the spectrum do not sleep well during the night and that further adds to the exhaustion. However, when you have a child with special needs; it can be difficult to find someone you trust to watch your child. An offer to provide brief respite from a trusted friend or family member who knows how to appropriately interact with the child with special needs is a great gift. Whether it be one hour or a night, any offer would be a gift for a friend in need. It seems like a simple favour, but it can mean everything to an overwhelmed parent to have a few hours to go grocery shopping or to just spend some alone time with their spouse.
The gift of money is as important as the gift of time. Not all afflicted families can afford the best schools and the best teaching techniques. Does that mean that they have to forgo the latest tools available to help their child? No, they won’t have to, if you step in. As a non-profit organisation, many of the schools for children with special needs rely on the support of community volunteer to help accomplish their goals. If you get in touch with the schools near your community, you will be aware of the ways you can help fund a child or a tool, or even help in raising funds for the school. Donations need not always mean truckloads of money, your change that adds to the weight of your wallet can also go a long way in bringing simple joys to the children whose parents are finding it tough.  There are various opportunities to offer your aid, you just need to be aware and willing.

Joy is a simple thing. The quantity you spread is almost always proportional to the quantity you feel. Light up a smile today, extend your hand, embrace joy.



27 comments:

umashankar said...

A beautiful, touching post! I will remember to spread the smile.

anilkurup59 said...

Personal challenges , or call it what ever as the one you described stays personal. Despite the reliefs in various forms that may trickle in from concerned and understanding souls.
But though such things may alleviate a bit the trauma , I wonder if there is a panacea.

I appreciate your empathy.
Honestly I and my wife had just one wish - to have our children born normal and with good health.

KParthasarathi said...

Brilliant Sujata.You have covered the topic well listing out the many ways we can lend a helping hand not in a patronising manner but empathising as one who is part of the immediate family.This should spur everyone to reach out in any manner however small it may be.

Destiny's child... said...

I will keep these things in mind. I remember your last post that was inspiring in many ways. And this one too. :)

sujata sengupta said...

@Umashankar thanks:)

@ Anil : MAybe there isnt a panacea in the way one hopes, but situations can be made better, a lot better. That should be the goal. To have children who are in good mental and physical health, is what all parents wish for Anil. But not always all are answered their prayers.

@ KP : Thanks, I hope it does. Even if a few are moved to action, the piece would have done its bit.

@ Destiny's child : I hope we all keep these things in mind always.

Sumandebray said...

very well written post ...
In the context of our own country, it is very important that we take steps to make the children and people with special needs independent and part of our society. Let them live with pride....
Post like yours will go a long way to motivate the society
cheers!

Kavi said...

Amazing how something that can debilitate inspires so much change. Very nice.

I guess such people live inside each of us. It is for us to let our powerful selves free

anilkurup59 said...

Hi,
certainly every parent would long to have the child born healthy.What I meant was that ,I (we) wanted a healthy child and gender was of no concern. In contrast we have heard blessings being showered on couples for a hundred sons!!!!

deeps said...

ohh i didnt know grief can be analysed in this manner.. and yes other emotions too

sujata sengupta said...

@ SDR : Thanks, all of us need motivation to step out of our shoes once in a while and see the world through different eyes. :)

@ Kavi : Yes I agree

@ Anil : Thanks for returning and clarifying :) I have been reading your posts as well but not being able to comment, cant figure out the problem :(

@ Deeps : Without analysis its difficult to achieve. Cannot tread a long path just on emotions. And I believe that everything can be quantified and hence analysed, even grief :)

Ire said...

Wow...that is an insightful way of looking at grief. I am just a bit stunned but a beautiful post.

Haddock said...

Wonderfully written. I know of a few who are stuck in that denial stage (about death) and they make life a misery for all the others who are around them.
Yes love can change many things.

R. Ramesh said...

sujataaajiiiii..:) just checking out whether my voice reaches oman..:)

Anonymous said...

UdjExe [url=http://chaneljponline.org/]シャネル iphoneケース[/url] RotHdx http://chaneljponline.org/ IsaRro [url=http://www.coachjpsales.net/]コーチ アウトレット[/url] RcsWhe http://www.coachjpsales.net/ IrmDve [url=http://pradasjapan.net/]プラダ 財布[/url] FzzNaz http://pradasjapan.net/ SqwBmj [url=http://coachonsales.org/]コーチ バッグ[/url] TlpAtj http://coachonsales.org/

pranjay mittal said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
pranjay mittal said...

Dear Sujata,
We saw your blog and instantly loved it. And we wish to invite you to FirstQuarto.
FirstQuarto is a social original-content sharing tool that lets you post original content in the form of articles, blog-posts, opinions, commentaries, reviews etc. and have your ideas rated, shared and publicized by fellow users. We believe in aiming to make the world's best original content easily accessible and usable. In an age when the world rates just about everything from restaurants to presidents, we realize how important quality-rating is and how beautifully it serves the dual purpose of providing absolute publicity and saving one's time.
Your already existing blog is easily connected at FirstQuarto. We are, as yet, only beginning to open up to the web so you are one of the first few people we're inviting.
Please visit http://firstquarto.com/about to find out more.
We hope you register with us and like our effort.
With pleasure,
The FirstQuarto Team

JD said...

Loads of attention and love are the things that matter most for the family with a special child. People should stop showering the family with sympathy and just accept them into their fold like any other family. Very touching..

R. Ramesh said...

Hi:)

Anonymous said...

Malaysia & Singapore & brunei best on the internet blogshop for wholesale & quantity korean accessories, earrings, earstuds, pendant,
rings, hair, bracelet & bracelet accessories. Offer 35 % wholesale discount. Ship Worldwide
my website - getting ripped

Anonymous said...

I loved as much as you'll receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike.
Also see my website - Get More Info

Anonymous said...

I love what you guys are up too. This kind of clever work and exposure!

Keep up the good works guys I've included you guys to my blogroll.

Look at my blog; phil cardella mugshot
My web page: phil cardella mugshot

Anonymous said...

When someone writes an piece of writing he/she retains the thought of a user in his/her brain that
how a user can know it. So that's why this paragraph is great. Thanks!

Have a look at my web blog: d'nest
Also see my webpage :: d'nest Condo

Anonymous said...

I was suggested this blog by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is
written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my trouble.
You're incredible! Thanks!

my blog post; the tao of badass forum

Anonymous said...

When looking at equity crowdfunding, the UK is leading the way in which
instant payday loans no faxing the best choice available - as a person with poor credit,
getting access to instant funds is extremely hard.

my web-site ... instant payday loans no faxing

Anonymous said...

Hello, everything is going fine here and ofcourse every one
is sharing data, that's in fact fine, keep up writing.

My site: Louis Vuitton Handbags Outlet

sm said...

beautiful touching post

deeps said...


enjoy the festive season ahead..
may you have a grace-filled Christmas and Happy New Year