Ability Forum

[Vic]

While hundreds of parents sweat out to provide their children with the best of education, educational institutions of repute like Mother’s Pride refuse to continue with student suffering from congenital physical deformity.

The Gupta couple of Old Delhi area, hailing from a middle class background, dreamt of a better future for their four-year-old son. Though the scenario is very competitive, little Vishesh had no problem clearing the entrance test for gaining access to Mothers Pride School, a school believed to be of repute across the country.

But it was like a bolt from the blue for the Guptas when one fine day the school authorities called up Pooja Gupta requesting her to withdraw her child from the school.

Vishesh was a special student. He was suffering from a condition called “Neurogenic bladder”, a congenital problem. After undergoing multiple surgeries, Vishesh was advised to use a catheter for answering nature’s call.

The Guptas had elaborately explained their child’s condition to the school authorities, while seeking admission. Little did they realize their hard earned money, which they had poured out in bulk for gaining entry into the plush environment would soon go down the drain?

According to Mother’s Pride, Vishesh was asked to leave the school as other children were scared of him and parents would also object sending their children in the same school where a patient like Vishesh studies.

The question that would trouble many sane citizens in this case is: Are we living in an educated society? The very capital, which houses and boasts of educational institutions like Mother’s Pride have no place for a child who is different.

The institution charges an initial amount of Rs 18,000 from each student who gains entry into the school apart from a regular monthly fee of Rs 3000. Where does the money go? Why can they not sensitize the teachers? How is it possible to believe that children are scared when they see a child with special need? Is it not the responsibility of the teacher to make fellow students and their parents understand the condition of the special child?

According to Dr Y K Sarin, Head of the Department, Pediatrics, Lok Nayak Hospital, Vishesh, though a child with special needs deserves equal treatment which is at par with other children in his class. “The teachers should be sensitized. Though we have progressed a lot and do speak of high philosophies, little do we do practically when it comes to physically challenged children. The child is leading a perfectly normal life with a good IQ, so why should he not have the right to study like other normal children? Why should he be thrown out of school?” asks Dr Sarin.

Pooja Gupta, a mother of two, still hopes for a decent future for her children. She aspires that Vishesh should go to school. Approaching the school authorities regularly has become the order of the day for the lady.

Though the school management has decided to take Vishesh back, they have made the Guptas sign an agreement which says the school management will not be responsible if there is any problem with the child’s health. The parents have also been asked to provide an attendant for the child by the school authorities.

“How can I arrange for an attendant throughout the year? We come from a middle class family. How is it possible for us to pay such a huge sum,” said Pooja Gupta.

The school authorities however were not ready for any comments.

We do read, talk about and sympathize with children suffering from HIV/AIDS thrown out of school in various parts of the country. Is it not our responsibility to sit up and make consorted effort to stop the so-called such educational institutions from minting money?

If such is the apathy of the “Intellectual Quotient” of such high profile educational institutions in our country, we really need to re-think if we are progressing towards being a developed nation.

Source: MeriNews

_________________
Vikas

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While hundreds of parents sweat out to provide their children with the best of education, educational institutions of repute like Mother’s Pride refuse to continue with student suffering from congenital physical deformity.

The Gupta couple of Old Delhi area, hailing from a middle class background, dreamt of a better future for their four-year-old son. Though the scenario is very competitive, little Vishesh had no problem clearing the entrance test for gaining access to Mothers Pride School, a school believed to be of repute across the country.

But it was like a bolt from the blue for the Guptas when one fine day the school authorities called up Pooja Gupta requesting her to withdraw her child from the school.

Vishesh was a special student. He was suffering from a condition called “Neurogenic bladder”, a congenital problem. After undergoing multiple surgeries, Vishesh was advised to use a catheter for answering nature’s call.

The Guptas had elaborately explained their child’s condition to the school authorities, while seeking admission. Little did they realize their hard earned money, which they had poured out in bulk for gaining entry into the plush environment would soon go down the drain?

According to Mother’s Pride, Vishesh was asked to leave the school as other children were scared of him and parents would also object sending their children in the same school where a patient like Vishesh studies.

The question that would trouble many sane citizens in this case is: Are we living in an educated society? The very capital, which houses and boasts of educational institutions like Mother’s Pride have no place for a child who is different.

The institution charges an initial amount of Rs 18,000 from each student who gains entry into the school apart from a regular monthly fee of Rs 3000. Where does the money go? Why can they not sensitize the teachers? How is it possible to believe that children are scared when they see a child with special need? Is it not the responsibility of the teacher to make fellow students and their parents understand the condition of the special child?

According to Dr Y K Sarin, Head of the Department, Pediatrics, Lok Nayak Hospital, Vishesh, though a child with special needs deserves equal treatment which is at par with other children in his class. “The teachers should be sensitized. Though we have progressed a lot and do speak of high philosophies, little do we do practically when it comes to physically challenged children. The child is leading a perfectly normal life with a good IQ, so why should he not have the right to study like other normal children? Why should he be thrown out of school?” asks Dr Sarin.

Pooja Gupta, a mother of two, still hopes for a decent future for her children. She aspires that Vishesh should go to school. Approaching the school authorities regularly has become the order of the day for the lady.

Though the school management has decided to take Vishesh back, they have made the Guptas sign an agreement which says the school management will not be responsible if there is any problem with the child’s health. The parents have also been asked to provide an attendant for the child by the school authorities.

“How can I arrange for an attendant throughout the year? We come from a middle class family. How is it possible for us to pay such a huge sum,” said Pooja Gupta.

The school authorities however were not ready for any comments.

We do read, talk about and sympathize with children suffering from HIV/AIDS thrown out of school in various parts of the country. Is it not our responsibility to sit up and make consorted effort to stop the so-called such educational institutions from minting money?

If such is the apathy of the “Intellectual Quotient” of such high profile educational institutions in our country, we really need to re-think if we are progressing towards being a developed nation.

Source: MeriNews

_________________
Vikas

AccessAbility

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[V.SaiPrasad]

Dearest Brothers and Sisters,

I am not sure if this is a right time to reply to the topic and if the reply is delayed. But then, i would like to inform for the sake of the child that i myself suffer from nuerogenic bladder, was advised to use a catheter and have been suffering from the same since birth. Apart from that, i am affected by a condition named MENINGOMYLOCELE and TROPHIC ULCER which has resulted in a condition that i cannot use both of my legs for any purpose.

As of now, i cannot even walk a few feet of on my own.. and use a wheelchair to move..

Inspite of the same, i received the chief minister's Gold Medal for my performance in the 12th board exams and also ended up as one of the top 15 rankers of Osmania University in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Presently i am pursuing my Master's in the University of Wisconsin, Madison at U.S.A.. Recently, i was awarded a Research Scholarship by the University too to carry forward with my work..

http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/17/stories/2007111762550300.htm

Now, i am not writing this to boast about myself but then i thought if i can talk to Vishesh, Vishesh's family and the school authorities, it might make his life easier and better..  A decade back, I myself was removed from my class and was suggested to join another school, made to sit in a separate bench and had lots of other things done..

If anyone here, can help me get in contact with Vishesh's parents, i would really appreciate it and would love to help them out in whatever way i can..  May be he has secured an admission in the school successfully, but we also need to ensure that he feels included in the environment and not as someone who is 'disabled'.. Having got him the seat with struggle we must now build the self belief in him that he can be someone whom the school can be proud of in times to come  

And hopefully i can be of some help in this..

My points of contact are :

Email ids :

sai_be_happy@yahoo.co.in ( Most often i use this )
happy.blissfull@gmail.com

Phone numbers :
1 608 358 6668 ( U.S.A )
040 27138453 ( Hyderabad, A.P., Incase anyone wants to contact my parents )


Orkut :
http://www.orkut.com/Profile.aspx?uid=11905028865152046240

Ok then.. Keep Smiling friends..

Lots of Love,
Sai Prasad Vishwanathan.

Dearest Brothers and Sisters,

I am not sure if this is a right time to reply to the topic and if the reply is delayed. But then, i would like to inform for the sake of the child that i myself suffer from nuerogenic bladder, was advised to use a catheter and have been suffering from the same since birth. Apart from that, i am affected by a condition named MENINGOMYLOCELE and TROPHIC ULCER which has resulted in a condition that i cannot use both of my legs for any purpose.

As of now, i cannot even walk a few feet of on my own.. and use a wheelchair to move..

Inspite of the same, i received the chief minister's Gold Medal for my performance in the 12th board exams and also ended up as one of the top 15 rankers of Osmania University in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Presently i am pursuing my Master's in the University of Wisconsin, Madison at U.S.A.. Recently, i was awarded a Research Scholarship by the University too to carry forward with my work..

http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/17/stories/2007111762550300.htm

Now, i am not writing this to boast about myself but then i thought if i can talk to Vishesh, Vishesh's family and the school authorities, it might make his life easier and better..  A decade back, I myself was removed from my class and was suggested to join another school, made to sit in a separate bench and had lots of other things done..

If anyone here, can help me get in contact with Vishesh's parents, i would really appreciate it and would love to help them out in whatever way i can..  May be he has secured an admission in the school successfully, but we also need to ensure that he feels included in the environment and not as someone who is 'disabled'.. Having got him the seat with struggle we must now build the self belief in him that he can be someone whom the school can be proud of in times to come  

And hopefully i can be of some help in this..

My points of contact are :

Email ids :

sai_be_happy@yahoo.co.in ( Most often i use this )
happy.blissfull@gmail.com

Phone numbers :
1 608 358 6668 ( U.S.A )
040 27138453 ( Hyderabad, A.P., Incase anyone wants to contact my parents )


Orkut :
http://www.orkut.com/Profile.aspx?uid=11905028865152046240

Ok then.. Keep Smiling friends..

Lots of Love,
Sai Prasad Vishwanathan.