Ashirwad World Cerebral Palsy Day 2017 Celebration

Ludhiana, October 6, 2017: Keeping up with the spirit of "striving continuously" for getting a place for the specially abled in the mainstream society, Ashirwad, The North India Cerebral Palsy Association observed the World Cerebral Palsy Day on October 6. Cerebral palsy is a developmental disability caused due to damage to the developing brain due to lack of oxygen before, during or after birth and affects 3 per 1000 children born. It is manifested by mobility and balancing problems, vision, hearing and speech may also be affected. It is typically described as "an intelligent mind in a disobedient body" as the brain is usually of normal or higher intellect.
A function was organized at this occasion to create awareness about Cerebral Palsy. Children with special needs put up a cultural show that stole the hearts of the guests.

Mr Ram Avtar Bansal, Vice President Vardhman Yarns and Threads Ltd was the chief guest at the event. He also inaugurated a vocational unit constructed by the company under CSR. This vocational unit will empower the special students at various skills varying from computer education, block printing,stitching, paper folding ,embroidery, fabric painting ,cooking and more. The aim is to make the children self dependent. Most importantly, this training will be job oriented.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr R S Sodhi (MS Ortho), President of Ashirwad, informed that early diagnosis and early intervention is the key to tackle problems before they become more difficult to reverse and is the route to inclusion in mainstream society. He shared that there is a significant population of adults with cerebral palsy in India and worldwide who are facing other health problems. At the age of 20 - 25 years as they move out of protected home environments for academics and earning they face social, emotional and physical stresses and have higher chances of developing degenerative changes of the spine and problems with hip, knee and foot joints in their 40s. Hence it is important to understand that the focus should not be only on ambulation but social and functional skills also need to be strengthened from the beginning to enable them to develop coping strategies for life.

Another important feature of the event was felicitation and honoring of role models of Ashirwad. Some of these role models are studying in mainstream schools or through NIOS, others have got government jobs or private jobs and some are doing business.
The function was also attended by members of Ek Noor Sewa Kendra and concluded with the singing of the National Anthem by the persons with special needs.