Support a differently abled person live independently by Raphael

Since Uttarakhand was in lockdown from April to July 21, no major events were held. Regular activities continued as far as possible for the residents, with only skeletal staff to assist a total of 93 children and young adults with disabilities continued to receive the online intervention.

Funds were utilized as all staff were paid their full salaries. The biggest challenge was in looking after the residents with skeletal staff. Over the next 6 months, we hope to stabilise, continue normal activities.

Impact story: Aditya Gupta12-year-old Aditya lives with his parents and 2 younger sisters in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand. His father runs his own shop and his mother is a homemaker. Initial assessment findings suggested that he has mild to the moderate intellectual disability with development delays and Down syndrome. His speech was unclear and he communicated in one word. He was partially independent in his daily living skills. He was able to tell body parts, common objects and could match shapes and colours. He was admitted to Raphael’s residential Centre on 12 July 2018.Aditya joined the primary group where he was trained in academics, daily living and communication skills. He has learnt to write from A to Z in English and can write 1 to 10 when dictated. Since April his class teacher has been conducting regular online teaching and he has been responding very well and has learnt at a good pace. When given a clue he can write vowels and some consonants. He copies two-letter words. He can make his own bed. He sorts and wash vegetables and puts them in the proper place. He takes interest in dance and yoga with his siblings. During this lockdown period, he has learnt cycling and helps his mother with small household chores. According to his parents, his vocabulary has increased.

The objective of the programme is to generate awareness about Persons with Disability through advocacy; identify and assess children and young adults with intellectual & other developmental disabilities (such as, but not limited to Autism, Cerebral Palsy & Down Syndrome); educate & train children with disabilities to realise their potential and facilitate their rehabilitation in the family and community.

The focus of the training is on functional academics; language and communication skills; and the acquiring of daily living, house-hold, domestic & vocational skills. The emphasis, throughout, is on ‘inclusive’ learning and activity, and to facilitate independent living.

The services include 2 assisted independent living programmes in a simulated ‘home’ environment for young adults and residential dormitories for those below 18 years; a Therapeutic Centre that provides physiotherapy, speech therapy, psychological assessments and counselling, school readiness and early intervention services; a Resource room that provides suggestions, ideas and information for persons with special needs to enable them to participate fully in all aspects of living.

Young adults with disability learning to live independently

The young adults with disability living in the assisted independent living programme made garlands and diyas for Diwali. They celebrate birthdays by inviting 2-3 friends for lunch to a small restaurant near the home. They visit the shops and learn to buy grocery and vegetable and fruit. They also learn to use local transport. On Holi they prepared chips and ‘pakoras.’

Program Update

We provide residential facilities to children and adults with intellectual and associated disability. 25 adults, having been abandoned many years ago by their families. They are with us permanently. 7 young children, who were found abandoned also how live permanently in our hostel. Caregiver working in 3 shifts takes care of the in full day. The young and some of the more able residents attend classes in the day school, learning a variety of skills. The older residents help with domestic shores, gardening and making paper bags. 3 nutritious meals a day, including tea, is provided to all residents. The meals include eggs, milk, fruit and fresh vegetable. All other needs including clothing and medicines are taken for.

(i) On 19 January, senior residents’ custodial group went for a picnic at Maldevta.
(ii) In February, the Social Welfare Department Dehradun organized a meeting in Raphael regarding Voter ID. 23 residents received their voter cards, making them eligible to vote in the forthcoming elections
(iii) On 23 February, the local Red Cross Society held a workshop on giving ‘First Aid’ to children suffering from epilepsy. They gave tips on handling children having epileptic fits and seizures and also gave information about immediate aid to a child who has hurt himself/herself before being taken to the hospital. This was attended by all the staff.
(iv) On 28 March, a campus cleaning campaign was initiated and all students and staff joined hands in this drive to keep the campus clean.

Story from the field

Bharat joined Raphael in the year of 1981 at the age of 11 from Brahampuri leprosy colony, Rishikesh. He had mild cerebral palsy with mild intellectual disability. He could understand everything but could not speak. He expressed his needs through gestures and some small words. He showed the potential to benefit from formal education so he was admitted to Raphael’s Primary school where he studied upto class 4. He could read and write and reads the newspaper every day. He was given vocational training and worked as a helper in the Candle making workshop. Bharat has been progressing steadily. Gradually he was trained to work as an office assistant and placed in the Resource Centre as a helper on a monthly stipend. He does all the office photo copying, sets up everyone’s computer in the morning and carried files from one office to another. In 2016, he was placed as House Parent of Martyn Cottage (Assisted Independent Living) where he is responsible for four young adult males. He has taken in the assignment with dedication, commitment and keeps check on the routine of the cottage. He trains the residents of Martyn Cottage in home living skills. He is independent and does all his work by himself. He has opened a bank account and deposits part of his stipend in the bank independently. Bharat is always very cheerful. He recently cast his vote, for the first time, in the State Legislative Elections held in February 2019. He took an independent decision to vote for his party of choice.