Ready to take on life's bigger challenges

LUDHIANA: Despite their special abilities, they are often labeled by their disabilities. However, they dream on, of joining the police force, becoming a dancer, all depending on what they have been most exposed to in life. On the occasion of International Youth Day 2014 themed ?Youth and Mental Health', TOI visited a school for the mentally disabled to see how these youth are gearing up for a better life.
Nirdosh, a school for special children has been functional for about 30 years now, imparting basic education to children who have learning difficulties and helping them specialize in various sectors so they can earn a livelihood later in life. With two girls working as beauticians and one of them running a juice bar, their past batches are making them proud. And to everyone's glee, two of them, Rekha and Rimpy, are all set to tie the knot soon.
Kamal Sharma, a teacher at the school, says they are proud to see these children pass out and do well in life. " I know working as a beautician or running a juice bar wouldn't be considered achievements in the bigger world, but when we talk about these kids with special abilities, this is really big. While it's a huge task to teach them as some students with a borderline IQ can take months to learn one simple thing, getting them employment is an even bigger a task," she asserts.
Two other students namely Kanu Gulati and Satinder, both aged 26 years, sew bags that are sold at exhibitions. They earn a meager sum of Rs 1,500 a month, but it's theirs. "Children here often feel bad when they see us getting paid and ask us if they will ever get paid. Money becomes a form of appreciation for them and funds are anyways meant to be spent in their welfare only," says Shashi, a vocational trainer at the school.
The school has a total of 48 students in the age group of 8 to 28 years. Apart from teaching them reading and writing in three languages, they are also involved in making invitation cards, candles, decoration paper, and cloth bags, etc.
"This gets them some employment and they do not depend on their families for their basic needs. Plus, like us, they too feel proud when they know that they are earning their bread and butter. It's important for them to feel they are worthy of good work. They too have ambitions and they tell us that they want to become dancers, artists or join the police force," says Komal Maggu, another faculty member.
"And we tell them: ?Yes, you will'. We want them to be happy, and on their own," she adds.
International Youth Day: 'Youth and Mental Health'
The theme of International Youth Day 2014 is 'Youth and Mental Health'. Youth with mental health conditions often experience stigma and discrimination, which, in turn, can lead to exclusion and/or discourage people from seeking help for fear of being negatively 'labelled'. The 2014 observance of International Youth Day will raise awareness on this important topic as well as highlight the experiences of brave, young individuals who have chosen to speak about these issues with the objective of overcoming stigma and discrimination to ensure that young people with mental health conditions can lead healthy lives, free from isolation and unnecessary shame and openly seek the services and support they need.