Those deep penetrating eyes still follow my soul, those wonderful moments still reside in my heart… asking who cares for us?
Before joining my M.S. in E.N.T. , I worked for Red Cross hospital at a small place, “Dhar” of Madhyapradesh. I used to visit “home for mentally disabled kids” adopted by Red Cross for weekly medical check-up. I developed unspoken bond with kids, so one day I took permission of medical director to stay with them.
And then “Chetna” came into my life breaking my solitude. She was dumped there by parents. No one ever came to visit her as if she was unwanted kid for family & society. She didn’t know what is human rights and was never concerned about what others are doing for their rights. She could not speak out her heart and could not listen what I was saying to her but she sensed touch & cared for love. She sat besides me holding my hand in between her shaky hands smiling wholeheartedly.
That was turning point of my life, Chetna gave me vision to see mentally disabled with dignity & respect.
Her strong gaze told me she doesn’t need sympathy but she too deserves a firm hand to hold her in her walk…
Her fearless laughter told me she doesn’t want helpless look but she too deserves better life at home with siblings…
Her slow,wavy but confident walk insisted that she too deserved better educational facilities to support herself.
Just after my M.B.B.S. I was flying and suddenly I was on earth. I came to know that in India there are not enough services to meet needs of mentally retarded, condition of most of the so called homes are very poor. I felt ashamed of not knowing real cruelties of life.
I feel a sense of relief knowing that India signed for UN convention of right of person with disabilities (CRPD) on march 30th, 2007 and Ratified on oct 1st, 2007. Ratify means India is obligated to create laws to protect human-rights.
But laws alone are like body without soul…so every human soul should be aware of CRPD, should take responsibility and raise voice against discrimination.
Chetna reminds me there are so many like her and we have to show them that “We Care”…
