Never give up
Raising a child with multiple disability is not an easy job, it did give us vast and immense experience both in terms of failure and success for the last 28 years. It was over time that we learnt our lessons through these experiences. Having said that, we as parents know what it would be like to lose all the golden years in our child's life in search of that right path that could be the change that our child needs. In most cases by the time the parents arrive at the right path, medically development that child can undergo is very meagre. . Thus, from our personal experience, we found that early intervention is very vital in such kids. Though every child's need in unique, as parents it is very important that we identify them, enable them and develop them in regard and most importantly support them through their rough patches.
This is very tough battle fought by the parents of such children across various dimensions. Sometimes it is very emotionally involved and we have come across many parents who lose their way in such battle. It takes a toll on the parents especially when they are financially and emotionally stressed. At such times ,it is very easy to go down and lose hope especially with all the criticism in the society where our kids are not equally accepted. It is at this phase of the battle where we need to believe in ourselves and our child. Trust us, the road ahead may be tough but is only when we decide to continue the tougher phase of our journey do we realize that there are indeed many guardian angels around us in this society, who not only help us in a way or two but also enlighten our journey ahead and enrich our child into a person into a person who will be more socially accepted like every other normal person.
Sri ram's development milestones were very delayed. He could not sit till he was 10 years old. He vented his frustration, anger and disappointment on us, especially when he started to realize that he cannot run around or play like every other child. He often vented his anger on us but then it was important to realize the amount of mental torment he must be undergoing with his realization. However, we continued to train him in swimming and cycling purely for physically strengthen his legs. It is when we identified that he was interested in swimming and as we already said, there was a guardian angel who introduced him into competitive sports. He soon got his 1st recognition in the year 2013 for swimming 50mtr across the pool. though it was only a 4th place, the amount of joy, happiness and confidence that instilled in him had so much impact and importance in his life that it drove him to work harder, determined and perspire towards success in all the upcoming events that came his way. It became a lot easier for us as parents especially when he decided not to sit back but fight for acceptance and recognition in this society. As parents we even dreamt, that he would get an opportunity to represent our country and participate in the special Olympics 2019. Though he was selected for the 1st selection camp he did not make the cut into the 2nd selection camp. All of a sudden, our dreams were shattered. Days seemed darker and hopes were sinking but we knew we can't go down. After reading about a famous personality swimming across the Palk straits, we decided to throw him a bigger challenge, to swim at sea. to swim at sea, he had to brave dangers right from marine animals to under water currents. Even though we were reluctant his trainers were very confident on him and more importantly he was very determined. We needed to believe in him and we did.
Once again, the guardian angels came his way. This time they came in numbers together to help him achieve something which not many normal people eve dare to do. To swim 5km across the sea. He got the opportunity to swim 5km during the "Samudra Pheri-Ocean Sailing Expedition 2018: conducted by the NCC Directorate of Tamilnadu, Pondicherry & Andaman and Nicobar(Ministry of Defense, Govt. of India) on 21st July 2018.He swam the distance in 3hr and 18 minutes. Today as parents we are immensely proud of his achievements. On this very day, he has several laurels and recognitions in the fields of athletics, swimming and open water swimming to his name. Having said that he thought us one very important lesson. He has fought many battles emotional battles across in life. But every time he does, that one attitude that he radiates continuously across is to never give up.
