The keyword for special parents is ‘Inclusive society’ and our motto is to spread the awareness of not ‘tolerating’ but ‘accepting’ our children. We specifically keep complaining about discrimination, about non-acceptance in gatherings and meets and overall the gloomy isolation that prevails in these special families. But when a hand of inclusion is extended towards us, we certainly make the most of it.
This is the story of little Shreyan who turned one on the very first day of 2020. His parents wanted his birthday to be special and unique and Partner Hooghly was so much honoured to be a part of this birthday celebration.
The inmates were very excited about the birthday party . It was a very different day, with no routine work of making rakhis or diyas or packeting masalas. The frolic was in the air while they helped in cleaning the place, blowing balloons, putting up streamers and nicely turning their workplace to a birthday party venue. In fact the festive mood had started two days earlier when they all sat together to decide the flavour of the cake and the lunch menu. It was like all kindreds discussing the arrangements of an upcoming event in the family.
Finally, Shreyan arrived with his parents, grand-moms from both sides and uncles. He was greeted with enthusiasm at the archway of balloons so lovingly put up by our wards. This was followed by dance, music, storytelling and so much more. Elina, Shreyan’s mom, who is a trained dancer, also participated with perfect enthusiasm.
The most interesting part is not only our children but Shreyan and his family also had fun and enjoyed the day so much. All their apprehensions and anticipations about mental disability were wiped away in seconds by the friendliness and joviality of our inmates. We parents conduct long seminars and statistics filled lectures to spread the need for inclusiveness for our children. But these persons with special needs did the job in seconds with just a smile and an extended hand of friendliness and cheerfulness.
Shreyan is blessed to have a family full of positivity and he definitely shall love the photographs and videos of his first birthday when he grows up. He is perhaps the youngest partner of Partner Hooghly who held our hand to move ahead!
It takes a lot of guts and good spirit to survive the world as differently-abled or to parent a differently-abled person. We so eagerly welcome those who heartily embrace and celebrate our different life!
