Saturday 13 September 2014

POWER OF QUALITY EDUCATION AND DETERMINATION THAT DEFIES PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT




Kanchan aspires to become a doctor and no hurdles of her disability could stop her from striving hard to fulfill her dream. She is from Vishupur Khurd village of Sardar Nagar Block which is thirty Kilo Metres from Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh State. She was born in the farmer’s family of Kailash Yadav and Sobha Devi. She has three sisters and four brothers. Now she is twenty one years old student preparing for Pre- Medical Test.
Her life took a tragic turn at the age of three when she had a severe fever. Her parents took her to quack doctor ( Joli chap) who gave her several medicines and injections to beat the temperature which gave her excruciatingly painful sleepless nights for several days. Finally she could feel the paralysis that affected her legs and neighbours informed her parents that she had become a victim of polio.

Her mobility was impaired and her life was confined at her home. Her parents consulted some doctors outside the village but all ended in vain to make any change. At the age of four she used to move to the school that functioned under a tree. Her informal visit gave her zest for learning and parents had no aversion towards her desire to extend all their support to make her happy. Her father also brought wooden crutches and gave practice to use it. It was very difficult for her to move on crutches and she used to cry aloud due to severe pain. He also bought calipers to help her walk but that too could not give her comfort.

Institutional Intervention

It was the visit of a Sister from Purvanchal Gramin Seva Samiti (PGSS) that transformed her life when she was four years old. The Sister advised her parents to educate the child in Ghaziabad. Parents who had deep desire to make her happy decided to admit in Jeevan Dhara Hostel at Ghaziabad.for Persons with Disabilities, run by a charity organisation. The expense was minimal and she attended a nearby school till grade seven.

Life Changes after Corrective Surgery


When she was six years old she underwent two corrective surgeries on her hip and knee from St. Stephan Hospital, New Delhi. It was facilitated by Jeevan Dhara. The treatment was free of cost, done to help the polio victims. This surgery enabled her to stand straight on her feet with the support of a caliper. It put an end to her movement on her arms and leg that was bended. With the renewed vigor and enthusiasm she continued her education in Holi Child Secondary School till grade ten. 

For the invaluable lessons she could learn from her hostel life, she is indebted to Sister Celin. She learned how to face challenges and accept the disability in her life as a reality to strengthen herself. Sisters inspired her to take part in programmes and extracurricular activities. Her exposure to people suffering from various disabilities made her feel that she was not alone in the world of disability.She also learned ways of effective communication, the vital information regarding the life of a girl, and ultimately how to be optimistic and achieve success in life during her twelve years of hostel life in Jeevan Dhara. She also used to attend physiotherapy sessions and regular physical exercise that enhanced her health status.

Having completed grade ten with flying colours, she returned home. Her father knew her aspiration to become a doctor and got her admission in Saraswati Vidhya Mandir, Gorakhpur to continue her higher education in science stream. She studied from hostel with the support of her parents and completed the course successfully. By the time she was eighteen.

Pursuing her dream to become a doctor

She joined Akash Institute in Lucknow to attend Pre-Medical Test. After one year preparation she attended the entrance examination but could not get through it. She was staying at her sister’s home while attending the coaching. since 2012 onwards she has been attending the same coaching programme from Gorakhpur. Meanwhile with the support of Sister Shyamala who is working in the Community Centre at Dumri village, she could find free accommodation in Gorakhpur. It was Father Jose from Gorakhpur Diocese who could help her to find it. Prior to that, she used to travel from her village to the city every day. 

Meanwhile she took admission for BSc. from Shobish University, Meerut. It is a distant education programme and she is now a third year student. Nowadays she prepares for Pre- Medical Test from home and she hopes to be able to get through it in the forthcoming session in 2014.
After reaching home from Gorakhpur she became a member of DPO (Disabled People’s Organisation) which was initiated by CBR Parivartan- the change team. Now she is the Shiksha mantri (Education Minister) of DPO. She wishes to achieve her goal and work for a better world.

Lessons Learned

It is the timely intervention of an organisation and the corrective surgery that was held at free of cost that transformed the life of Kanchan Yadav. It was inspiration, emotional and technical support from the organisation that assisted the girl to look beyond her limitations and challenges. It is obvious that the exposure that she got in her childhood helped her to accept her reality and see life in a broader perspective. It unleashed the unimaginable strength and inherent capacity to move forward in life.

Challenges in her life

Due to several limitations including traveling to a strange place, Kanchan’s parents could not be present when she underwent surgery in Delhi hospital. They were cut off from her when she was at hostel for twelve years even though they could hear from her occasionally over the telephone at a distant place from their dwelling.

Furthermore, she had to face sarcastic comments from people around her when she disclosed her aspiration to become a doctor but she could withstand such adverse circumstances with the strength that she could imbibe from the inspiring words of Sisters in Ghaziabad hostel.

In spite of having gained outstanding courage and determination in life, Kanchan still staggers in uncertainty about her health as it could become worse as she grows old. It is a strong indication that People with Disability need assistance and support of people around more than any other people to sustain their ability to face challenges and overcome the new hurdles that may visit up on them at any time of life.

My Apprehensions

It might not happen in every one’s life to be fortunate enough to get the whole hearted support of family and external agencies. It necessitates the existence of a system that ensures the comprehensive growth and development of the Persons with Disabilities who otherwise would become part of other vulnerable sections of our society. There should be a reliable and authentic system to facilitate them to overcome the challenges of the Persons with Disabilities which should function universally. It can be associated with Panchyath Raj Institutions. (PRI). It is very obvious that no Government institutions made any intervention to the empowerment of the girl who was victimized by the deadly virus. 

It would be unrealistic to expect every parent to be supportive successfully while struggling to cope up with multiple other issues along with the harsh reality of having Children with Disabilities. Here arises the necessity of an external agency that could support, inspire and help them to have a comprehensive development. It should include providing all necessary medical care in all stages of life, personality development, exposure, career guidance and employment opportunity. Finally all steps for an inclusive society that accepts the Persons with Disability as normal human beings.