Quiet – a sure sign of her having tuned herself off from something she was unable to understand. But for a person with these disabilities, her memory is incredible. Like the proverbial elephant she would remember things which most of the family had forgotten – especially a long forgotten promise.

Most families find it difficult to accept a handicapped child – embarrassment being the uppermost feeling. With time this feeling changes to love yet there are some families who are never able to accept the matter openly. What is the proper behaviour with a disabled person? This is a problem a normal person almost always faces. It is very essential for the physically challenged child to be accepted into the family as any other child with just that extra bit of helping hand when required.

The most essential task for the family is to accept the physically challenged child and with maturity. But what happens if this child has a perfectly normal sibling? Does the normal child treat the disabled one normally? “I never thought of Rajat as a spastic. I was never brought up to feel he was different but yes the fact that he was special was always there,” says Rahul fondly of his younger brother. Rahul was always aware of his brother’s ‘problem’ but that never meant that he treated him differently. For him Rajat was his younger brother and he loved him for that. Rajat’s handicap never stopped Rahul from taking him around.

“There have also been times when I have just sat and talked to him and though his reactions and responses are not what one would expect yet I know somewhere deep down he understands every single word I am saying,” says Rahul.

Of course at a low moment Rahul may have wanted a hug and everything will-be-fine from Rajat “but I don’t grudge him for that when I don’t get it. There have been times – sometimes most unpredictable – when he has suddenly run up to me to quickly hug me and peck me on the cheek. , This show of love compensates for all other times,” laughs Rahul.

Ten-year-old Vasudha has to be told time and again that her five-year-old sister, Lekha, is mentally challenged, so please treat her as such. She should not be expected to understand things as quickly as any other normal child. For Vasudha her sister is as normal as herself and if she can get a beating for having done a wrong then why should Lekha be spared for the same mistake? She will understand eventually.             

Experts believe most normal children become extremely protective about’ their challenged siblings.

Filed under: Fitness

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