‘Differently abled persons’ voice thier plight

 

Dimapur, December 3 (MExN):  In Nagaland many families still keep their disability children away from society due to embarrassment and social stigma. However, with the intervention of different NGOs the approach to disability is slowly changing.
Observing International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2011, more than 200 persons with disability- now referred to as ‘differently abled persons’- marched from Christian Higher Secondary School to Dimapur Town Hall, to prove to the world that they are human and they have rights like any other citizen. Volunteers from different NGOs and churches along with parents and guardians assisted them through out the rally.

Moments
While interacting with a differently abled girl, like any other normal child, she said she finds school boring at times and loves watching TV serials. When asked about her parents, with a beautiful smile across her face, she excitedly pointed at her parents.
A 2-year-old polio victim was so excited to see so many vehicles and kept on repeating what the commentator was saying during the rally. Another very touching sight was a physically disabled boy, who eagerly shared his tricycle seat with another boy struggling to walk.

Encouragements
During the flag off programme, the Additional Deputy Commissioner Sedevikho Khro encouraged the gathering. He reminded the participants that the world most famous scientist Steven Hawkings is a motor neurone disease patient and in spite of his disability, it did not stop him to achieve his dreams.
At the culmination programme, Kedhuwe-iu, a mother of a disabled child shared her experiences and encouraged parents present to come out open and help their children. She said that she too tried to hide her child from society but it did not do any good. Later when some NGO workers came to her place, her approach towards disability changed, she said.  
Also, Chief Medical Officer Dr Shukato A Sema, who was present at the culmination programme said that International Day of Persons with Disabilities is being observed to sensitize the society of the rights denied to the disabled people directly or indirectly. He also added that disabled persons can do “bigger wonders”.
The CMO also confessed that the medical department is often helpless due to lack of facilities and they are ashamed of availing it. However, he said that with the little resource available the department is trying its best.  He said that some doctors are now specially trained for disabled people.
Further, Assistant Director of Prodigals Home, Maong Jamir also spoke during the programme. He said that disabled persons should be encouraged to form organizations so that they can be independent and make their own decision.
Encouraging the parents present, president of Dimapur District Parents Association of Persons with Disabilities Akum Ezung opined that together with the NGOs, parents need to work hard. Moreover, as a tribute to the demise disabled people, Ezung also played a tune with his harmonica.
On different programmes launched by the Education Department, Imsuinla, IED –SSA Dimapur said that the education department has been providing trainings to teachers of both government and private schools on how to impart education to disable children and for severely disabled children home schooling will be given  by IE volunteers. Also ramps and disable friendly toilets are being constructed at government schools, she added.