NEWSLETTER No. 36, July 2007

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the July edition of the Newsletter of the Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled. We should like to inform our readers that, except for five of our children who have been laid up with viral fever at their homes, all have returned to the CRD after spending two months of summer vacation with their parents and siblings. They have already resumed their studies in dead earnest and have been undergoing therapy treatment. We are indeed pained to note that the parents of some of our children were not at all eager to see their wards wearing walking aids regularly during the summer holidays, with the result that those children have returned to the CRD with contractured (bent) legs, giving more painful work to our over-burdened physiotherapists.

Result of Examinations: At the end of the summer holidays the results of public examinations were published. We are glad to say that all the eleven children who had appeared for the SSLC exam have passed. Muhammed Shafi, one of them, has secured first class. This year also the CRD has maintained 100% success rates at the SSLC examination. But unfortunately our children's performance at the Higher Secondary Exam has not been very satisfactory. A few of them have failed in one or two papers. What is gratifying is that they can take the examination in the failed papers this year itself as per the save a year (SAY) scheme and hopefully join higher classes. Sindhu has got distinction in the polytechnic examination.

In-Service Programme: - As we did last year, this year too we organized an inservice training for the staff of the CRD with a view to enthusing them to rededicate themselves to the noble task of uplifting the disabled children. The programme was inaugurated by Mr. Jayakumar Thomas, Treasurer of South Kerala Diocese., and Rev. Isaac Paul Sing, Assistant Pastor of M. M. Church, led the devotion. Three sessions of classes by Dr. Suresh and Dr. Sreekala from the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department of Medical College and Rev. Soloman (former pastor of CSI) were held for the benefit of the staff. The dedication service was conducted under the leadership of Most Rev. Dr. I. Jesudasan. In his inspiring address he stressed the need for dedication, commitment, sincerity, and faith in God while doing service to the disabled. The following day a picnic to Kanyakumari was arranged for all the members of the staff who immensely enjoyed the outing and who returned to the CRD almost rejuvenated, solemnly declaring that they would work indefatigably for the welfare of the disabled children.

Refresher Course: - The CCCYC Bangalore organized a refresher course for Ihe benefit of the staff working for the welfare of the Cerebral Palsy children of the CRD and the CP Home in Vellore. We hosted the programme guided by three CCCYC officials, natrely Mr. Homer Ephraim, Mr. Samuel Francis, and Mr. Asir Jayasingh. Three members of staff from Vellore, seven from the CRD, and our Hon. Director actively participated in the programme held at Dr. Jones Hall on the twenty-first and the twenty-second of June 2007. It commenced on a solemn note pronounced by Mrs. Helen Azariah. Papers pertaining to the rehabilitation of CP children were presented by Mr. Berinkumar, Occupational Therapist, Mrs.
Smitha Das, physiotherapist, and Mr. Bopi and Rev. Jessie Beulah, Social Workers. The presentation of these papers resulted in a lively discussion which was followed by a community visit to Vizhinjam.

New Surevey and Assessment: - We have known that many disabled children live in the coastal areas of Trivandrum and that they need rehabilitation service urgently. Hence we recently selected Vizhinjam, a Muslim area, as our third outreach centre, and as a prelude to our work there we did a survey of the disabled with the help of our newly posted community worker Vijithra, local Mosques and Churches, and community leaders. The entire programme was coordinated by Mr.
Bopi, our social worker. We identified eighty-eight disabled children including forty-one between the ages of one and eighteen. The assessment of all these children was done on the twenty-first of June by the multidisciplinary team of CRD consisting of therapists, social workers, and teachers led by Mrs. Helen Azariah.

Parents Meeting in the Community: On the twenty-first of June we arranged a meeting of the parents of the disabled children at the community hall of St. Mary's Church at Vizhinjam. Fifty-two parents participated in the meeting presided over by Rev. George Gomaz, the priest of the church. Our director gave a lecture on the role of the parents in the rehabilitation work. The officials from the CCCYC and Mr. Bopi spoke on the occasion. Sr. Flossy welcomed the gathering and Rev. Jessie Beulah propsed a vote of thanks.

CRD School: For the first time in the entire history of the CRD, ten polio-affected and seven CP (Cerebral Palsy) children who do not need either physiotherapy or occupational therapy anymore, who are capable of taking care of themselves, and who are proficient enough to pursue their studies through the state syllabus have been sent to the Salvation Army Higher Secondary School to prosecute their studies along with the normal children.

Ninety CP children are studying at the CRD School now. We draw up the programme for these children in accordance with their abilities and disabilities. In harmony with this system we follow two types of syllabus, namely Open School (Equivalency programme) and Special Education.

I. Open School: The open school is run by the Jerala State Literacy mission. The equivalency programme encompasses standars IV, VII, and X (A level). Classes are conducted for students intending to presume higher studies or planning to appear for the PSC examination. In accordance with the equivalency programme, five of our children from Std. IV and five from Std. VII have already taken the exams and have come out with flying colours. At present six of our children are studying in Std. IV, ten in Std. VII, and four are in Std. X.

II. Special Education: As through this programme five grades or classes are conducted for children belonging to the pre-primary, primary, primary-I, primary-II and Pre-vocation. We are imparting Pre-vocational training also in addition to the normal schooling. Twenty-four children are participating in the programme which include Cutting and Tailoring, Fabric Painting, Embroidery, Chalk making, Medicinal Cover making. We mention below the names of a few children who have made remarkable progress in their feilds:

a. Saritha: When she was brought to the school at the age of eight, she was incapable of speech and mentally retarded. Now she is not only able to speak, read, and write, but she is also capable of participating in drawing competitions and consequently winning prizes. She is very proficient in embroidery works, fabric painting, cutting and tailoring, and chalk making. She has successfully appeared for the examination held in accordance with the equivalency programme.

b. Sujith: When he was brought to our school by his mother, he was only seven and was unable to walk. Now he can walk with the support of crutches and can also read and write. He draws beautiful pictures, participates in competitions and wins prizes. He does craft very well and displays his skill in embroidery and fabric painting.

c. Sreelekshimi: She was brought to ur school when she was only five and was unable to walk. Now she walks with the support of crutches. She reads, writes, and draws good pictures. She also takes part in competitions.

d. Shamnad: This boy was brought to our school when he was only eleven. He was then unable to walk. Now he walks with the support of crutches. The most remarkable thing about him is that he writes songs and sings them melodiously.

Early Intervention Programme: Thirty children below the age of five are benefitted by this programme in our school.

Talent Enrichment Programme: This programme is implemented on the last Friday of every month with a view to bringing out and developing the innate talent of children who are coaxed in various competitions. The winners are awarded prizes on the spot. In the month of June 2007 a singing competition was conducted for all the sections of our children and the names of those who won the first prize are given here: Ajitha. A (Pre-Primary), Princy P. (Primary), Maheen. M (Primary - I), Lakshmy L. (Primary --II), Sunil T. (Pre-Vocational), Radhika R. V. (Std-IV), Aswarthy. M. D. (Std. VI) and Priya P.V. (Std--X).

Physiotherapy - When Sivarenjith the 12 year old cerebral palsied boy was brought to the Centre, he had great diftlculty walking because of severe muscle tightness. He was subjected to physiotherapy and other necessary treatment and was given calipers. Now he can walk without the support of calipers, and his muscle tightness is considerably reduced. Gopika was literally carried to the Centre by her mother, as she could not even crawl then. She was able to move around only on her buttocks. After undergoing physiotherapy for six months, she has learned to crawl. She has been given calipers and is now able to walk on parallel bars.

Benevolent Volunteers: Mrs. Val Philip and Mr. Allen Phillip from England have been our active volunteers for the last few years. They teach our children spoken English, held them financially, raise money for the centre by giving wide publicity about the CRD in India and abroad. On Saturday, the thirtieth of June 2007, Mr. Philip quietly celebrated his birthday among the children and staff of the CRD without pomp or pageantry. The Philips made all the arrangements for the dinner which was followed by the presentation of greeting cards made by our children who sand the birthday song. Our Director presented Mr. Philip with a golden shawl in recognition of the yeoman service rendered by him to the institution.

Early Intervention Programme: This is very useful for the children who come to the Centre regularly. During the last quarter five more children below the age of five were selected from the districts of TVM and Kollam. After assessing the disability of the children, the therapists referred them to doctors from the Medical College and the Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Centre, TVM, for a proper diagnosis. Accordingly, therapeutic treatment was started and the children are brought to the Centre by their parents twice a week. Sajna, a five-year-old CP child, has been coming to the Centre for therapy for the last year and a half. She has severe tightness of T.A., Hamstring and Abduction. Now she has acquired the ability called "Supported walking". Even though the doctors suggested corrective surgery for her, it has been postponed because of her low blood count. Aparna, another five-year-old girl, also needs corrective surgery which will be performed a little later.

Donations: We wholeheartedly welcome donations and contributions from individuals generous towards the upkeep of this eleemosynary institution, Please send them to:

The Director

Center for Rehabilitation of the Disabled

LMS Compound

Trivandrum-695 033

Kerala, India

We would also like to state that all donations and contributions will be accepted with gratitude and will be used solely for supplying the needs of our children.

Best wishes from the children and staff of the Centre.

Mrs. Helen Azariah

Hon. Director

 

NEWSLETTER No. 35, April 2007

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the April edition of the Newsletter of the Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled. The last quarter, namely, January to March, being the period set apart for the examinations of our educational institutions, all our children at the CRD prepared themselves well for their examination and are very optimistic about the results. Eleven of our children appeared for the SSLC examination at the Salvation Army High School, Thiruvananthapuram. Eighteen children appeared for the Higher Secondary (PIus two) Examination. We whole-heartedly thank the Department of Education for granting additional time to our physically disabled children so that they could attempt all the questions.

Memorial Service in Honor of Dr. I. Azariah: As was done last year, we solemnly observed the second death anniversary of Dr. Azariah at Dr.Jones Hall on 27.01.2007. The commemoration meeting was presided over by our Bishop Rev.Dr.J. W. Gladstone and was attended by a large gathering comprising the children and staff of CRD, the Diocesan officials, the relatives and friends of Dr. Azariah and many others. Most Rev. Dr. I. Jesudasan, the former Moderator and Bishop of South Kerala Diocese, invoked divine favour upon the gathering and made the event a memorable one. In addition to the Bishop, persons like Dr. Bennet Abraham, Director of Medical Mission, Mr. Lawrence, Secretary of South Kerala Diocese, Rev. Sobhanam, Vice-Chairman of South Kerala Diocese, Mr. Jayakumar Alfred, Secretary of M. M. Church and many others spoke on the occasion. Representing the staff of CRD, our social worker Mr. P. Bopi spoke. CRD children Amuda and ex-foster child Dileepkumar also spoke on the occasion.

Institution of Self-Employment Project: We consider the provision of gainful employment to our ex-foster children the utmost aim of rehabilitation and we are keen on doing our best in this direction. Many of our children secure jobs in public and private sectors, and quite a few are self-employed. On enquiry we have found that a few of our former inmates are sitting idle in their houses. Hence we have planned to help them by providing them aid for self-employment. As was done last year the CCCYC, Bangalore this year too has come forward to help eight of our former children in their self-employment project. Mrs. Jerom Stantly, one of our active volunteers, has given a sewing machine to a poor child. At a meeting held on 28.02.2007 all the donated materials and sums of money were distributed to the recipients by our former Moderator and Bishop Most Rev. Dr. I. Jesudasan. Mr. Lawrence, Our Diocesan Secretary, gave a felicitation speech, and Our Director welcomed the gathering. Remani Mabel, The Warden, proposed a vote of thanks.

Donations: During the period under review, we have been fortunate in getting many donations in cash and kind, and we gratefully acknowledge the service rendered by all the donors. The Lion's club of Trivandrum donated a washing machine for the use of the children; Mr.Chandra Roy, an active volunteer of the CRD, donated 100 mattress covers; the Reserve Bank of India, Trivandrum, donated articles of used furniture costing about Rs.50000/-. The World-to-World Foundation donated 200 copies of the Bible to the children. The Billy Graham Mission in the USA donated 200-parcel gifts to our children through a voluntary agency in Trivandrum. The Inner Wheel club of Trivandrum (suburban) donated materials for fabric painting for the vocational training of the children.

Government jobs: We are always delighted to hear of the successful pursuit of gainful employment by our children. Three of our children secured government jobs in the course of the last three months. Ramachandran and Ambili have got jobs as clerks in Kerala government service and another child Simon Nicholson has got a job in Container Corporation of lndia under the Ministry of Railway as junior executive on a salary of Rs.11000/-

Extension Services: As part of the community "Out Reach" programme, we arranged a community awareness meeting at the Community Hall of St.Mary's Church, Vizhinjam on 10.01.2007. Thirty-eight parents, members of the church, the parish priest, and some local leaders participated along with the staff and 25 of our children. Mr. Noble Miller, Project Coordinator of the compassion project of South Kerala Diocese, gave an informative talk on community rehabilitation. A one day programme for the benefit of the parents and disabled children from Vizhinjam was also arranged at the CRD Hall on 24.03.2007. Three sessions of classes were also conducted by our Physiotherapists and Social Workers. Our social worker Mr. Bopi has been coordinating the community programme at Vizhinjam with the cooperation of Mrs. Saleena, the community worker of CRD. We sincerely thank CCCYC for their financial assistance for the programme.

Marriage: We are glad to announce the marriages of two members of our staff: namely Mr. Berinkumar, the Occupational Therapist, and Miss Chitra, the cook of Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled. We wish them all happiness and conjugal felicity.

Sad Demise: Dr. Kusumman, our active volunteer and close friend of Dr. Azariah, the former Director, recently met with a fatal car accident. He was Professor and Head of the Department of History, University of Kerala. He had rendered invaluable service in his capacity as secretary of Third World Studies. His death is a great loss to the CRD.

Vacation Bible School (VBS): For the first time in the history of the CRD, the Vacation Bible School was organized between 26.03.2007 and 03.04.2007 for all the children of the Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled. Rev. Sunil Spenser from SKD was the coordinator of VBS classes and our children enjoyed the programme. There were twenty-five classes to enable the children to learn Bible lessons in addition to various items of entertainment like stories, songs, and dramas and so on. All this strengthened the religious sprit of our children. As part of the VBS programme, an excursion to various tourist places in the Trivandrum district was arranged. The children were taken in our mini bus and in the two buses obtained from Christian College Kattakada specially for the purpose.

Cinema: Our children were thrilled to watch the popular movie "Class Mates" at Padmanabha Theater in Trivandrum. Free passes were given to our children who were treated to a fine tea party by the manager of the theater.

Computer Training Centre: At the Trivandrum District Inter ITC meeting held at Priya Darshini Hall in Trivandrum on the 8th and 9th of March 2007, Suresh Kumar and Renjini of the CRD secured the first place in the quiz competition.
Sajil got the second position in Mapilapattu competition and Shery S. Robet got the third place in the English elocution competition. In addition to all these, our group secured the second place in group singing competition.

Early Intervention Programme: If we discern the remarkable improvement shown by the children, we can say that the early intervention programme which was started as part of the out-reach programme a great success. Anand the five-year- old boy from Vilappil, is an Autistic child. His parents were painfully persuaded to take the child regularly to the Centre for therapy and Special Education. With great joy, Anand's mother says that her son, who would say only "Amma" and "Acha" before his contact with the Centre, is now able to ask for water and food whenever he needs them. He brushes his teeth and bathes without his mother's help.

Parents' Training Programme: The parents' training programme was conducted at the Centre on 23.01.2007 with a view to educating the parents in the rehabilitation of the children. The important topics handled by the experts are:
(1) the importance of the Integration of the Disabled Children after the residential care - by Mr. Manoj Kurian, Development Officer, National Association for the Blind, Kerala Branch.
(2) Urinary Problems of Cerebral Palsy children and how to tackle it - by Dr. Vinod K.V., Urologist and Andrologist, Department of Urology, Medical College, Trivandrum.

CIBI Programme: We were able to help the disabled children in the Vilappil Panchayath by giving them the appliances they needed. Santheep got the micro-celIular footwear because he had difficult in walking. Shibin got B/L surgical boots. Alaka, the seven-year-old speech and hearing-impaired child, was helped to get BTE hearing aid. Vijith, 7 years, was also guided to get BTE hearing aid from Handicapped Persons Welfare Corporation.

Department of Physiotherapy:
1. The seven-year-old boy Derin was brought to the Centre by his parents. He had quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy with severe adductor spasms, hamstring tightness, scissoring gait, and upper limb spasm. His pelvic ability and trunk balance were found to be very low. After giving him therapeutic treatment, we noticed that his disability is greatly reduced and he is now able to walk independently in the parallel bars.

2. Achu. V, the eight-year-old spastic quadriplegic, was brought to the Centre by his mother. He underwent corrective surgery for adductor spasm and the disability was reduced considerably. All other spasticity and tightness were reduced by means of various therapeutic treatments in the department of physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Now the boy can sit and play independently and he walks with another person's supports.

We wholeheartedly welcome donations/contributions from generous individuals towards the upkeep of this eleemosynary institution. Please send them to:

The Director
Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled
LMS Compound
Trivandrum - 695 033
Kerala, India

In this context we would like to state that all donations/contributions will be accepted with gratitude and will go entirely in supplying the needs of the children.

Best wishes from the children and staff of the Centre.

-- Mrs. Helen Azariah
Hon. Director

 

 

NEWSLETTER No. 34, January 2007

Dear Friend,

Welcome to the January issue of the Newsletter of the Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled. All our children have returned after the Christmas holidays during which they enjoyed themselves with their parents and siblings. They had received from the CRD a lump sum as pocket money so that they would not feel penurious in the midst of joyous celebrations all around. During the quarter under review the CRD witnessed a number of delightful activities like the organization of children's carnival, Christmas Day Celebrations, and so on.

Children's Carnival:
As was done last year, we had celebrated Children's Carnival on the 2nd of December 2006 just a day before we observed the "World Disabled Day." For the last eighteen years the Zonal Office of the Kshema Social Circle of the State Bank of Travencore has been organizing children's carnival at the CRD on a grand scale. Mr. Pradeep Sankar, Chief General Manager, SBT inaugurated the carnival, distributed walking aids and gave away prizes to the winners of various competitions at a function chaired by the Rt. Rev. M. I. Kesari, the former Bishop of Kanyakumari Diocese. SBT Deputy Managers V. Haridas and Krishnan Nair and Community Service Banking Manager Mr. Padmanaba Bhat spoke on the occasion. Mrs. Helen Azariah, the Hon. Director CRD, welcomed the gathering and Mr. Subramania Iyer, Leader Kshema Social Circle, proposed vote of thanks.Variety entertainment provided by our children regaled the audience.

Jumble Sale:
In connection with the children's carnival a jumble sale was also organized by our children and the members of staff.
There were different stalls for handcrafts, old books, plantains, vegetables and items of food. We were able to raise a substantial amount of money through the sales.

Mr. K. Mahadevan's Role:
No account of the organization of the children's carnival of the CRD will be complete without at least a mention of the yeoman service rendered by Mr. Mahadevan, the former leader of the Kshema Social Circle of the SBT and a selfless and dedicated volunteer of the CRD. He has been organizing the carnival of the CRD for the last 18 years with the financial support of the SBT. Even though he has retired from service, Mr. Mahadevan still functions as an affectionate "uncle" to the children of the CRD.

Christmas Day Celebration:
The joyous celebration of Christmas was the one thing all our children at the CRD were eagerly looking forward to. This time it was held on the 8th of December 2006 at the CRD Hall, financially helped by anonymous donors from England. Three items of the cerebration are worth mentioning. The first one was the inauguration and the the delivery of a Christmas message by Mr. Sam Manohar, Senior Manager of Canara Bank. The second one was the presentation of mementos to thirty volunteers in recognition of the meritorious service rendered by them to the CRD. It was done by the most Rev. Dr. I. Jesudasan, Former Bishop and Moderator of South Kerala Diocese. Christmas greetings were tendered by Mr. D. Lawrence, Secretary, SKD; Dr.Glorin, Principal, SMCSI Medical College; Rev. I. Shobhanam, Vice Chairman, SKD; Rev.
Wilfred, Secretary to the Bishop; and Mr. Jaya Kumar Alfred, Secretary, M. M. Church.

The third item was variety entertainment presented by our children, and it included the beautiful dance of CP children, mimics of Job and party, Skit of Christudas and party, Cinematic Dance of Dikson and Aji, and so on. Job, one of our SSLC children, was adjudged "Kalathilakam" or the star performer.

At the end of the programme, Mr. Alan Phillip from England donned the garb of Father Christmas and came on the stage escorted by Mr. Bopi, our social worker and gave toffees and balloons to our children. A lucky dip was conducted and prizes sponsored by 28 persons were given away by Father Christmas. The sumptuous feast that followed soon was the grand finale of the celebration. Mrs. Helen Azariah, Hon. Director, welcomed the gathering and Arunkumar, the six-year-old Cerebral Palsied boy, came crawling at the time of admission. After undergoing various therapies, he can now walk with the help of crutches. Dolly, the twelve-year-old girl with a hypotonic type of cerebral palsy, could not even properly crawl when she came here. Within 5 months, she has learnt to crawl properly, Now she is able to walk with the help of crutches.

We wholeheartedly welcome donations/contributions from generous individuals towards the upkeeping of this eleemosynary institution. Please send them to:

The Director
Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled
LMS Compound
Trivandrum - 695 033
Kerala, India

In this context, we would like to state that all donations/contributions will be accepted with gratitude and will go entirely in supplying the needs of the children. Best wishes from the children and staff of the Centre.

-- Mrs. Helen Azariah
Hon. Director

 

NEWSLETTER No. 33, October 2006

Dear Friend,

Welcome to the October issue of the Newsletter of the Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled. After spending ten delectable days with their parents and other close relatives and friends during the Onam vacation, all our children have returned to the CRD. Fortunately, none of them have been laid up with Chikungunya or Dengue fever even though the parents of a few of our children living in the coastal area have been affected by these infectious diseases.

The Visit of VIP's:
On the eighth of September 2006 the CRD was visited by three very important persons of great reputation, namely, Mr. Arunkumar Bunyan, the Chief Executive of CCCYC, Mr.Guido Falkenburg, KNH, Team Leader for South Indian Group, Mr. Christian Casper, KNH, Head of the Department Asia and Eastern Europe. With great delight they watched the activities of our children and were highly appreciative of our Early Intervention Programme envisaged for the benefit of small disabled children aged 1-5. A homely function was got up at the Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled for the purpose of expressing our profound gratitude to KNH officials who have been helping us for the last 32 years. A specially warm welcome was extended by Mrs. Helen Azariah to Mr. Arunkumar who has been gracious enough to visit our CRD after assuming charge as the new Chief Executive of CCCYC.

Admission of Children to Higher Courses:
Our children who have passed the Plus-two examination, the VHSC Exam and the Degree Exam have been admitted to various higher courses of study as a result of the service rendered by Mr. Bopi, the Social worker of the CRD. Fifteen of them who have passed the SSLC Examination have been admitted to the Higher Secondary and Vocational Higher Secondary Courses. One child, Jenson got admission in the ITC, Aluva. Six of our children who were under the community programme were admitted to the Higher Secondary Course. Five of our children (Jayan, Cyrus, Sheeja, Devi and Manju) who passed the Plus Two Exam joined the Polytechnic course, and four others (Lekha, Mini, Pushpadasi and Shibu) joined the Degree course at the College for Women's Trivandrum. Radhika was admitted to the B.Com. class at the Christian College, Kattakada, A. Biju got admission to the B.Sc Computer Science at Kariyavattom University College, and Devi Sukanya who passed the Degree Examination got admission to Diploma in Co-operation and Business Management at the Cooperative Training College.

Felicitation:
We are delighted to inform our readers that Sujitha who was a student of Mathematics at S. N. College, Kollam has passed the B. Sc. Examination securing 80% marks. She wants to express her profound gratitude to the Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled and KNH for the financial help
extended to her for the last 17 years. She is now planning to join the M. Phil course. We wish her all successes!

Placement for our Ex-Foster Children:
We have always been concerned about the gainful employment of our ex-foster children, and we have been trying our best to find suitable jobs for them in various undertakings in the private sector. In this context we are glad to acknowledge the fact that "Kunnamkulam Agencies," one of the reputed stationery shops in Kollam, has come forward to give jobs to five children, namely Raju, Suma, Karunakaran, Rosamma Markose and Augustine. Safeerudheen has been selected as cashier in a supermarket and Dasthakir has got an appointment as cashier in a textile shop in Trivandrum. With legitimately modest pride we write to inform our readers that K. S. Biju, a former foster child who studied Library and Information Science at the University Library, has got a job as Assistant Librarian in the University Library itself.

Assessment and Screening of the Disabled:
As was mentioned in the last newsletter we have selected two areas Vizhinjam and Vilappil, for the purpose of organizing and implementing our CIBI programme. A survey of the disabled children at both the places was carried out by our community workers who have identified over a hundred children who are in need of help. The rehabilitation plan of every one of them has been prepared by the multidisciplinary team of the Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled comprising Mr.Praveen Rana, the Physiotherapist, Mr. Berinkuma, the Occupation Therapist, Miss Thulasi, the Special Education Teacher and Rev. Jessie Beulah and Mr. P. Bopi, the Social workers, and the same has been sent to CCCYC for financial assistance.

Lion's Club sports:
The lnternational Association of Lion's Club, Trivandrum conducted a sports competition for the physically disabled at the Chandrasekharan Nair stadium on the 17th of September 2006. 78 children of the CRD participated in the competition and won the over-all trophy for the largest contingent of participants and secured the highest point for the institution. Our institution that presented the largest number of children who participated in the items meant for the junior section was given a special trophy. Various institutions from South Kerala participated in the sports event, which was inaugurated by Mr.
Vijayakumar, the Hon. Minister for Sports. In addition to the trophies lifted our children won various prizes, medals, and certificates.

Corrective Surgery:
During the period under review, Pradeep, a 12 year old boy, underwent corrective surgery at the Medical College Hospital, Trivandrum. The legs of this child had been contractured because of cerebral palsy, and hence he was operated upon. Now the child is convalescing at home, and in two weeks time he will be provided with walking aids.

Staff Orientation Regarding Diet: Many members of our staff, especially cooks, seem to be unaware of the significance of well-balanced diet, nutrition, protein, vitamins and so on. We realize that our staff should have some idea regarding the calorie value and nutrition content of the food supplied to the inmates of the CRD. We were enlightened in the last week of September by Ms. Evelin Regenta, a reputed dietician working at the CSI Medical College, Karakonam. She gave us a very instructive and informative lecture on the importance of dietary ingredients.

Early Intervention Programme:
One year and a quarter old male child Amal initially had poor neck-control, very poor sitting balance, poor eye-hand coordination, was almost incapable of speech, and he experienced difficulty in holding and releasing objects using both of his upper extremities. After subjecting him to several physiotherapy sessions, we have noticed that he has achieved neck-control. His sitting balance is steadily improving and his visual fixation on different objects has considerably improved. Now he is able to respond to visual and auditory stimuli very well. Jithin, the 3 year old spastic male child, had hyper tone and spasticity in his lower extremities. He was unable to stand on his legs. His trunk balance was also poor. After undergoing various therapy sessions he is now able to stand and is able to walk with the help of a caregiver or calipers and parallel bars. The spasm in both of his extremities is found to have been reduced. Owing to reduction in abductor spasm he is now able to sit without any support.

Early Intervention and Special School:
Twelve children aged between 3 and 6 under the Early Intervention scheme are studying in the special school run by the CRD. Simple lessons about alphabet making, the human limbs, colour identification and similar interesting things are taught.

Vocational Training:
Six vocational training units, namely (1.) Cutting and Tailoring, (2.) Fabric Painting, (3.) Embroidery work, (4.) Chalk-making, (5.) Christmas Card-Making, and (6.) Crafts are run by the CRD. The Cerebral Palsy children were admitted to the courses linked with these units.

Physiotherapy:
Sanu, an eight year old Cerebral Palsied boy, was admitted here one year ago. When he came, he could not walk or stand; even to answer the call of nature he had to crawl from one place to another. His lower limbs were very stiff. After a few sessions of physiotherapy during which he was very co-operative,
he has shown remarkable difference in his activities. Now he can stand for a few minutes without support and can walk with the help of crutches and splint. Mohammed Shan, the 2-year-old Cerebral Palsy child came to the Centre with difficulty in mobility. He moved around on all fours. But after a few therapy sessions he can now walk with a single crutch very easily and fifteen paces without crutch.

Occupational therapy: Anu is a spastic quadriplegic type of Cerebral Palsy boy of 15 years. A few months ago he was unable to extend both the elbows for reaching out to object. He had difficulty to supinate his forearms for object manipulation. He has been attending occupational therapy sessions for the past few months. He is now able to extend his elbows without much discomfort. Owing to the reduction of spacticity in his upper extremities he is able to reach out to objects. As a result of the intensive therapy in the department, the restriction of joint movement in both his upper extremities is reduced considerably

Donations:
We are thankful to the undermentioned individuals for their valuable donations to the Centre for the welfare of the children: Dr. D.C. Joshua, Muttada, Dr. Prasanthy, Kunnukuzhi, The President, Hope for the Suffering, Ms. Teena, Mr. Udayasanker, Kawdiyar, Mr. W. Bhanu, Nalanda Junction, Mrs. Preethakumar, Neyyardam, Mr. & Mrs. Sajan, Newsland, Ms. Asharaj, Peroorkada, Mr. Gogul Das, Vattiyoorkavu, Mr. Yesudas, Ariyanadu, Mr. N.K. Alex, Peroorkada, Mrs. Carmel, Pangodu, Mrs. Asha P. Nair, Sreekaryam, Ms. Amisha, Pallichal, Sindhu P. Kumar, Karamana, Sanoj Varghese, Pappanamcodu, Mrs. P. Kamalam, Thirumala, Mr. & Mrs. Morrison, England, Mr. Eliot Grove, England, Mr. Vahid M.L.A., Mr. Ashwin Alex George, Anchal and Ms. Thakamma, Trichur.

We wholeheartedly welcome donations/contributions from generous individuals towards the upkeep of this eleemosynary institution. Please send them to: The Director, Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled, LMS Compound, Trivandrum - 695 033, Kerala, India.

In this context we would like to state that all donations/contributions will be accepted with gratitude and will go entirely in supplying the needs of the children. Best wishes from the children and staff of the Center.

--Mrs. Helen Azariah
Hon. Director

 

NEWSLETTER No. 32, July 2006

Dear Friend,

Welcome to the July issue of Hello All, the newsletter of the Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled.
All the children of the CRD are back after spending their two months' vacation with their parents.
The results of the examinations our students had written have been published, and yet another year of academic activities has begun. Anu, Praveen and Sumesh, children who had undergone corrective surgery in the Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram are being taken care of by our physiotherapists, and we look forward to days of blessing and meaningful experiences.

Academic Performance of Our Wards:
All the sixteen of our wards who sat for the SSLC examination have passed. Of these, Mary Vincy, Nirmala, Amuda and Liji have secured first class. Six of the seven children who sat for the Vocational Higher Secondary Examination have passed with two of them, Radhika and Shibi, securing distinction. Devi Sukanya has passed the BA course. All these children are looking forward to continuing their studies in various polytechnics, colleges and industrial training institutes.

Dr. Azariah Centre for Rehabilitation:
A year has passed since Dr. Azariah left us and we propose to construct in his memory a Rehabilitation Centre attached to the CRD, aimed at providing educational, vocational and recreational rehabilitation to disabled children. The foundation of the project has been laid by Rt. Rev. Dr. J. W. Gladstone in the presence of officials of the South Kerala Diocese, and other well wishers. Initial processes of the construction are going on.

Visit of Albany Medical team:
As in the previous years we were visited by the Medical team from South West Georgia, USA who have been liberally extending help to the Medical College at Karakonam and the CRD. The team was warmly received and a luncheon was arranged in their honour in the presence of Rt. Rev. Dr. J. W.
Gladstone.

Data of former children:
In the last 31 years of its existence the CRD has helped to rehabilitate hundreds of children affected by polio and later by cerebral palsy. A recent study made by our social worker shows that we have so far provided direct fostership support to 248 children. Twenty four of our former wards are now employed in various government positions, thirty three in the private sector and sixty five are self employed. Forty five of our children have married. All these have been made possible by the benign help of the KNH, Germany.

In-service Training for the Staff:
The staff members of the CRD had a day' s refresher programme on the 30th of May which helped them rededicate their services. Experts in several fields of social service enlightened them on various topics of significance. The programme began with the devotion by Rev. Robinson and Rt. Rev. Dr. J. W.
Gladstone delivered the Inaugural Message. Dr. Somarajan, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, spoke on the various aspects of rehabilitating children with Cerebral Palsy and Polio. Mrs. Pushpa Bhai, Counsellor, Loyola Family Counselling Centre, lead a discussion on the care of physically and mentally challenged children. Most Rev. Dr. I. Jesudasan, former Moderator and Bishop of the South Kerala Diocese made the key note address in the Valedictory Session, and Dr. D.C. Joshua facilitated the programme. The session concluded with the formal vote of thanks of Mr. Hopi, Social Worker, CRD and the Benediction of Most Rev. Dr. I. Jesudasan.

Physiotherapy Department:
The physiotherapy department is a crucial part of the CRD. It has sophisticated equipment and is blessed with the able services of three full time therapists: Dr.Praveen Rana, Dr. Smitha Das and Dr. Herin Kumar. Thanks to their tireless efforts all our children except two are able to walk about with supports rather than in wheelchairs. Care is also extended to former children and those from outside the Centre.

Early Intervention Programme:
This is a new programme envisaged to help disabled children of the community in early childhood itself (before completing five years of age). The programme goes on well with parents bringing children in regular accordance with the schedule provided by our physiotherapists. Food is provided to the children and accompanying parents while the children are provided with milk also. Special mention needs to be made about the cases of Aparna ( 4.5 years) and Sajana (5 years) who are making exceptionally good progress under the programme.

Vocational Training Programmes:
Various vocational training courses are offered to children with cerebral palsy in accordance with their ability and aptitude. The courses are planned and structured to help our wards in their future rehabilitation with the community.Seven children are trained in tailoring, and they have now gained reasonable confidence in the trade. Anew course in fabric painting has been started with fifteen students.

Awareness on Child Right:
In the light of guidelines and materials received from the CCCYC, Bangalore, we have recently been giving much importance to child care, awareness on the rights of children, their protection and safety.
The staff members have been specially motivated by the Hon. Director to improve their awareness in this direction.

Community and Institution Based Intervention:
CIBI is a pioneering concept of CCCYC, Bangalore. This is unique compared to the other models of rehabilitation, and aims at a more thorough normalisation of the disabled child in her role as a contributing member in the family. It gives more stress to the rights of the child and follows a holistic approach in the process of rehabilitation. The director has participated in two discussion sessions on CIBI at Bangalore, and we are all set to start the Programme in two Panchayaths, Vilapilsala and Vizhinjam. A survey of the disabled in the area is going on with the help of community workers and social workers of the CRD.

Occupational Therapy Our latest achievement in occupational therapy is the case of Anu (14 years) who had difficulty even extending her right elbow and wrist. She has been given extensive graded therapy. Now she shows vast improvement and can even grip objects as fine as glass beads and bits of paper. She can also hold pencils and pens and continues to show remarkable progress.

Visit of Home Officers Three officers from CCCYC, Bangalore, Asir Jayasigh, Homer Ephram and Samuel Francis, visited our Centre and observed our activities and welfare programmes.
They spent three days with us and their presence was a source of inspiration to all of us. We had several fruitful discussions on a variety of topics including the CIBI programme.

CRD Home Computer ITC The ITC with its well-equipped computer lab manned by able and dedicated trainers continues to train our wards in computer skills. The regular COPA course run by the ITC with its two batches of students comes to a close this month and new batches will commence from early August.

New Warden Mr. M. P. Swamy Das, our warden, retired on 8 May 2006 after ten years of service in the Centre. Ms. Ramani Mabel has been designated as the new warden in charge of the Centre. The quarters vacated by the retired warden have been allotted to Mr. P. Hopi, social worker of the Centre, who is now able to pay more attention to his services at the Centre.

We wholeheartedly welcome donations/contributions from generous individuals towards the upkeep of this eleemosynary institution.

Please send them to:
The Director Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled LMS. Compound llivandrum-695 033 Kerala, India. In this context we would like to state that all donations/contributions will be accepted with gratitude and will go entirely in supplying the needs of the children.

Best wishes from the children and staff of the Centre,
Helen Azariah, Hon. Director

 

NEWSLETTER No. 31, February 2006

Dear Friend,

Welcome to the February issue of the Newsletter of the Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled. After their half-yearly examination, the children were sent home so that they would enjoy themselves celebrating Christmas with their parents and others. With the exception of three children who were laid up with fever, all of them have returned to the institution.

The First Anniversary of the Death of Dr. Isaiah Azariah, Hon. Director, CRD:

As part of the solemn observance of the first death anniversary of Dr. Isaiah Azariah, the former Hon. Director of the Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled, a commemoration service was held in Dr. Jones Hall on 27.01.2006. Our Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. J. W. Gladstone presided over the function, and he released the souvenir. "In Memoriam" , a collection of personal notes written by various individuals in ever loving memory of Dr. Azariah, by formally giving a copy to Dr. Bennet Abraham, the Director of Dr. Somervel Memorial Medical College and Hospital. A large portrait of Dr. Azariah was unveiled by the Bishop on the occasion in the presence of the Most Rev. Dr. Jesudasan, Dr. Azariah's close relatives, the children and staff of the CRD , the Diocesan officials and a host of others.

Christmas Day Celebration

As was done in the year 2004, Christmas in 2005 was celebrated many days ahead of the glorious day in view of the fact that our children would leave the CRD for their homes in the fourth week of December. At a special function got up for the purpose on the 9'h of December. Mr. D. Lawrence, Secretary, South Kerala Diocese gave the Christmas message in his capacity as the chief guest. Mr. Gilbert Joseph.Manager.Charitable Society, SKD and Mr.Jeyakumar Alfred, Secretary, M.M Church spoke on the occasion. Thirty volunteers were felicitated in recognition of the selfless and meritorious service rendered by them to the CRD. Variety entertainments that included group dance by CP Children led by Rajeswari, Candle Dance of polio children led by Shibi, Disco Dance of Dickson and Aji, Skit of Children directed by Rev. Godwin, Coordinator, Board of Youth Work, S.K.D. and Christmas song sung by chjldren under the direction of Mr. Amarnath Paul. The grand finale of the program was a sumptuous dinner arranged by Mr. & Mrs. Alen Phillip, the magnanimous volunteers from England.

World Disabled Day Celebration and Children's Carnival

In keeping with our practice, we celebrated World Disabled day on the 3rd of December 2005 under the auspices of Kshema Social Circle of the State Bank of Travancore. The SBT donated five walking aids to the children of Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled at the end of the Carnival which was enriched by various cultural programmes in which a few of our children participated and won prizes. The camival was inaugurated by Mr. Gathari, General Manager, SBT, and the function was presided over by Mr. H. N. Das, the Deputy General Manager, SBT.

Sports Competition Held by Lions Club

The International Association of Lion's Club conducted a sports competition for the disabled children in Trivandrum District at the Police Stadium on 13.11.2005. Sixty children from the CRD participated in the competition and secured the largest number of points for the institution, winning three special trophies. One for the biggest contingent of participants, the second for the largest number of points secured by a single contingent, and the third for the children of the junior section that included more winners than any similar section from other institutions. All the winners of the sports items were felicitated by the Bishop of SKD at a special meeting held at CRD.

Financial Help for Unemployed Former Children

We have as much care and concern for the welfare of the for,er inmates of the CRD as we have for the present inmates. Gainful employment for all of them is the utmost aim of our rehabilitation programme. To reach our goal we are trying our best to find suitable jobs or supportive employment for our former "children". In this context we are happy to state that the CCCYC has come forward to.help six of them with a Goat and Cow rearing project that would give them good livelihood opportunity. Ajayakumar, Mary Pushpam, Baburaj, Shibu and Prasanth are the beneficiaries who were given the self -supporting help by Most Rev. Dr. I. Jesudasan at a special meeting held at the CRD on 24.11.2005. Mrs. Jerom-Stanly, an active volunteer of CRD has kindly donated Rs. 12,000/- to two of our children Suma and Moly to enable them to start a self -supporting project.

We sincerely hope that a few more of our magnanimous readers will come forward with financial help for our former inmates who are unemployed.

Cinema

To our children, watching Malayalam movies has always been the most favorite entertainment. Knowing this very well, the managerial staff of the Padmanabha Theater, Thiruvananthapurarn, has frequently invited our children to watch new Malayalam movies in the theater free of cost. Whenever they visit the theater, they are properly entertained by the official who provides them with snacks and ice cream.

A Testimonial From a Former CRD Resident

C. M. Manju from Mylam, Kottarakkara, studied at the CRD and passed SSLC with distinction. Later she appeared for the M. Com. Examination held by the University of Kerala and Secured II Rank. Now she has got a job as L.D Clerk at the District Education office, Kollam. In her letter to the CRD Director, she expresses her profound gratitude to the authorities of the institution for the help, encouragement and guidance that moulded her life and personality. The letter written in Malayalm is one of the richest testimonials ever received by the CRD.

Occupational Therapy

Rajesh, the 9 year old who had difficulty in executing smooth, controlled and rhythmic movements using his upper extremities in the beginning, has now achieved great progress in fine motor coordination. He has attended many sessions in the occupational therapy department and has shown marked improvement in his Ieg-hand coordination.

Play Therapy Session

Limitations of space preclude a detailed report on the play therapy session that has been of great help to children like John Cruz, Anusanker, Amal, and Biju who have enthusiastically taken to the Basketball game.

Physiotherapy

Manoj, the 15 year old spastic type of CP child came here 3 years ago with severe hamstring spasm, moderate T A. tightness and adductor spasm. At that time he was unable to walk independently. He has undergone corrective surgery at the department PMR, Medical College, TVM. He is now regularly attending intensive physiotherapy and is able to walk with calipers and crutches. Manu. Anu, Sajin and Mukesh too underwent corrective surgery at the Medical College Hospital. With the help of calipers and crutches they can now walk freely.

Early Intervention

Identifying the disability of a child in early childhood and provision of adequate therapy result in earlier and better progress. The story of Aplha Martin, 3 year old child is case in point. This quadriplegic type of C P child was brought here by her parents 4 months ago. She was at the time totally bed-ridden. After many therapeutic sessions in the department of physiotherapy and occupational therapy, the child is now able control her neck for a short period of time and can sit up without support.

New Admission

In January 2006, Shiva Renjith and Mohammed Shan were admitted to the centre and have been under trial for selection. Shiva Renjith is a smart talkative boy. At fIrst, he had some difficulty in adjusting himself to the new surround}ngs. But owing to our constant rapport with the child, he feels happy at the centre.Mohammed Shan, the 8 year old boy, has impainnent of speech, but he has quickly learnt to adapt hirnself to the new social environment. The problem of this boy is that his father died recently and his relatives were unwilling to admit the boy in the centre. Our social worker had to employ all his persuasive powers to convince them of the importance of residential care for the boy.

Donations

We are thankful to the undermentioned individuals for their valuable donations to the Centre for the welfare of the children: President Hope for the Suffering, Mr. & Mrs.
Morrison, England, Mrs. Sonja Gotta,Germany, Mariyan K.
Varghese, Anchal. Rupa lone, Bangalore, Mr. Sreekes, Trivandrum Mr. Ajaith Roy, Kowdiyar, Mr. Thomas P Chaco, U .S.A , Mr. & Mrs. Alen Phillip, England, Mr.PraveenRana, Physiotherapist,CRD, Kiran, Kunnukuzhi, Mrs. Palammal, Kowdiyar, Mrs. Chechamma Thomas, Bakery In. , Dr. Sunil, Nanthancode, Shaji Mercy, Thalavoor, Mrs. Lilly Bai and Family, Trivandrum, Mr. William Bhanu, Nanthancode, Mrs. Sobha and Samjis, Trivandrum, Mr. lose, Peroorkada, Mrs. Lalithamma, Orirayinkil

We wholeheartedly welcome donations/contributions from generous individuals towards the upkeep of this eleemosynary institution.

Please send them to:
The Director Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled LMS Compound Trivandrum-695033 Kerala, India

In this context we would like to state that all donations/contributions will be accepted with gratitude and will go entirely in supplying the needs of the children.

Best wishes from the children and staff of the Centre,
Helen Azariah Hon.Director

NEWSLETTER No.30, November 2005

Dear Friend:

Welcome to the November issue of the Newsletter of the Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled. We are happy to state that the CRD, under the leadership of our Hon. Director, Mrs. Helen Azariah, carried out a number of activities during the last quarter.

Inauguration of the Early Intervention and Pre- Vocational Training in Cutting and Tailoring.

At a glittering function held on the 27th of September 2005, this programme was inaugurated by the Rt. Rev. Dr. J.W. Gladstone, Bishop of South Kerala Diocese. Mrs. Helen Azariah, Hon. Director of the Centre, welcomed the gathering and gave a vivid account of the need and significance of the Early Intervention and Pre- Vocational Training Programme. The first batch of 12 Early Intervention children and 7 students attending the cutting and Tailoring course were introduced to the gathering by the social workers.

Mr. Gilbert Joseph, Manager of Charitable Society, Mr. Allan Philip and Dr. Joshua, two ardent wellwishers of the centre, graced the occasion with felicitation speeches. Rev. Jessie Beulah, the social worker proposed a vote of thanks.

It is deemed that a word about the Early Intervention Programme, as envisaged and implemented by the centre, will not be taken amiss. By starting this programme we concentrate on the care of cerebral palsy children below the age of five. These children, belonging to poor families are under the care of their parents, and rehabilitation services are rendered to them with the help of multi-disciplinary teams. The parents bring their children to the centre for therapy on two days every week. The travelling and medical expenses are met by the centre. We do hope that with the unstinted cooperation and active involvement of the parents these cerebral palsy children will greatly be benefited by the Early Intervention and the cutting and tailoring progamme envisaged for their rehabilitation.

Independence Day Celebration

The 58th anniversary of the Independence of India was joyfully celebrated at the Centre on the 15th of August 2005. Mr. Rishi Raj Singh IPS, of the Vigilance Department, Kerala Electricity Board was the guest of honour of the flag hoisting ceremony. In Malayalam, Mr. Singh, a non-Malayalee, gave an inspiring speech enthralling all the listeners, especially the children of the Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled. Mrs. Grizel the president of the Inner Wheel Club, attached to the Rotary Club ofTrivandrum (Suburban) gave a felicitation speech. The Inner Wheel club provided snacks and tea for all the children, and a dinner was arranged for them by the Balajan Sagyam unit of Malayala Manorama, the Malayalam daily with the largest readership in Kerala.

Honours
We are glad to inform our readers that Miss. Thulasi, the Head of the Cerebral Palsy school of the Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled was selected for the award of Vocational excellence by the Rotary Club of Trivandrum (suburban) for her social commitment. At the meeting held on 28.10.2005 at the Hospitality centre, Trivandrum club Rotarian R.A. I Pillai, the president of the club, gave her the award. Our social worker Bopi was sent by the Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled as its representative to attend the function honoring Miss. Thulasi.

Another honour we should like to mention is that given to V.S. Ambili, one of our children, who secured the 3rd rank in the V.H.S.C examination held in 2005. She was honored by the staff and students of the Govt. City V.H.S. School where she studied.

Flawless record
Another landmark during the period under review is that our computer training centre has achieved 100% result in the NCVT examination held in July 2005. In all, 29 children appeared for the examination and all have passed eliciting praise from our wellwishers. The classes for the next COPA course at the training centre have already started and are in full swing.

Bed Spreads and bed covers for the children
The voluntary agencies in Thiruvananthapuram have been helping this institution in various ways. You may have read about their charitable activities in our various newsletters. The Inner Wheel Club
of Trivandrum (suburban) has donated Rs. 5000/- for our Early Intervention Programme. The Y's Men's Club minnerets have given us 50 bed covers for the the cerebral palsy children of this centre.

New Books for the CRD Library
Our Library known as the "Light House" contains over 10,000 books for children. They include story books, picture books and others of different contents. Most of these books were donated by various charitable organizations in India and abroad. By dint of the yeoman service rendered by the CRD volunteers from England, Mr. Alan Philip and Mr. Val Philip, 76 books were sent to the Library by Mr.
Richard, Principal of the Trivandrum International School. It may be mentioned that children from institutions other than the CRD are taking advantage of our library in large numbers and are making good use of the books as well.

Competitions
We have always been encouraging our children to participate in various competitions so as to enable them to get integrated with the society at large and to gain self confidence . It is gratifying to note that many of our children took part in the following competitions:

a) Of the children who participated in the VSSC painting competition held in connection with the world space week, Surabhi got the first prize and a cash award of Rs. 500/b) Of the 23 children who took part in the painting competition held by the Garuda Kalasamskarika Samithy, seven got prizes. In addition, our institution was given a special trophy by Garuda for presenting the largest number of children for the competition.
c) In another painting competition conducted by the State Bank of Travancore 17 of our children participated. Three of them, namely, Sunitha, Sajith and Sonia, got prizes.
d) Fourteen of our children participated in yet another painting competition held in connection with the 94th birthday celebration of the late film actor Sathyan. Five of our children, namely, Sreelekshmy, Srijith, Surabhi and Sonia got prizes and certificates.

Gift of Wheel Chairs
The Health Oriented Project Establishments(HOPE) a charitable trust of Kannur District was kind enough to make a gift of 10 wheel chairs to 10 of our severely disabled children. We received these wheel chairs at a meeting held at Kanakakunnu Palace and inaugurated by His Excellency R.L. Bhatia, the Governor of Kerala.

Corrective Surgery
Praveen, a CP child, underwent corrective surgery in the PMR Department of Medical College Hospital, TVM. Two other children, Sajan and Manu, were recently admitted in the hospital for surgery which will be done towards the end of November.

Picnic and Magic Show
Our children were thrilled to hear about the prospect of going on a picnic to Veli and Sanghumugham accompanied by all the members of Staff. In this connection we should like to place on record our sincere thanks to the Director of the Department of Tourism for granting exemption from entry fee at Veli and for providing snacks for the children.

On 26-10-2005 our children got an opportunity to witness the amazing magic show presented by the celebrated magician, Anand.

Placement and Marriage
During the last quarter Biju George, a former inmate of this institution, secured a job as a clerk in govt. We wish him all success in his career. Another former inmate of this Centre, Sanal from Balaramapuram recently got married. We whole heartedly wish him all happiness and conjugal felicity.

Treatment at the Department of Physiotherapy
Geemon, a 7-year-old CP child (Spastic Diplegic) came crawling to the institution at the time of his
admission. He has undergone two corrective surgeries and post operative physiotherapy with the result that he is now able to walk with the help of crutches and without calipers. Akhil, another 7 year old spastic child, could only crawl on his belly at the time of his admission. After long sessions of physiotherapy he is now able to walk slowly in walkers.

Occupational Therapy Session
Justin Raj who is 14 years old now had a very weak grip of the right hand initially. After attending various therapy sessions in the department of occupational therapy he has considerably strengthened his grip and is now capable of performing restricted activities by using his right upper extremity.

Music Therapy Session
On 29-8-2005 anew CD player was bought for the department of Occupational therapy. It enables the children to hear a variety of music, which is of great help to them to relax their minds and to make them concentrate more on doing difficult activities. This type of diversional therapy helps them reduce their worries and anxieties, tension and stress and other psychological factors related to disability.
Different varieties of music are played for children of different age groups.

Equivalency Examination for CP Children
We are pleased to state that our children Emilraj, Manu Chandran, Jomon J. Manu and Anjana wrote the Equivalency Examination in the open school system for standard IV conducted by the State Literacy Mission and got certificates. The next batch of students comprising Shemeena, Priya, Saritha, and Kumari Nisha are preparing for the Examination for Std. VII which will be held in this month itself.

Talent Enrichment Programme
In order to enrich the talent of children a story-telling competition was conducted for them.

Donations
We are thankful to the undermentioned individuals for their valuable donations to the Centre for the welfare of the children: President Hope for the Suffering, Blintra Tour Links Pvt. Ltd, Dr. N. Balsalam, Barton Hill, for Onam feast to our children, Mr. Val Phillips, Ice cream for children in connection with his 60th birthday, Dr. D.C. Joshua, Muttada, Master Kiran, Kunnukuzhi, Mr.Sajan and Shyja, New Zealand, Dr. Prasanthi Sadanandan, Kunnukuzhi, Mrs. Ponnamma Varghese, Ulloor, Vision India Inofotech,Pattom, Mr. Thomas P. Chacho, U.S.A, President Inner Wheel Club of Trivandrunm, Suburban, Mr. Dilok Enose, Kanjiramkulam, Mr. Nijel, Thirupuram, Mrs. Jerome Stanley, Kesavadasapuram, Mr. Eliot Grove, England, Mr. Morrison, England and Rev. Godwin.

We wholeheartedly welcome donations/contributions from generous individuals towards the upkeep of this eleemosynary institution. Please send them to:
The Director, Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled
LMS Compound Tiivandmm-695 033
Kerala, India

In this context we should like to state that all donations/contributions will be accepted with gratitude and will go entirely in supplying the needs of the children.

Best wishes from the children and staff of the Centre,
Helen Azariah, Hon. Director

Newsletter No. 29, August 2005

Dear Friend,

Welcome to the August issue of the Newsletter of the Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled.

ENCOURAGING ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
All the children returned to the Centre on the first of June after the summer holidays and prepared themselves for the new academic year. We are pleased to place on record the delectable fact that all our children who had appeared for their respective examinations before the summer holidays have passed. Of the eighteen students who had appeared for the SSLC examination, one (Marcili M.) has secured I class, 13 have secured II class and 4 have secured III class.
All the five students who had appeared for the Vocational Higher Secondary Examination have passed. V. S. Ambili has passed the exam securing third rank in the SC section, eliciting praise from various Malayalam dailies which have published her photo as well. Three of her classmates have secured II class and one has secured III class. For the Higher Secondary Examination five had appeared; four of them have secured II class and one has passed it with distinction, standing first in the school from where he had appeared for the exam. Only one student (Aswala L.) had appeared for the BSc. Home Science exam and she has passed it securing I class. The academic performance and achievement of our children, on the whole, have been quite remarkable.

HIGHER STUDIES

Taking the academic interest and aptitude of the children into consideration, we have always been very keen to get our children admitted to higher courses of study. As in the previous years, our social worker has busied himself with the task of securing admission for our children to various higher courses. Those who have passed SSLC have been admitted to Higher Secondary and Vocational Higher Secondary classes. The girls (4 of them) are retained in the Centre under our extended fostership programme, and the remaining 14 have been sent to their homes to be admitted to schools in their localities under our CIBI programme (Community Institution Based Intervention). The +2 and VHSS children have been admitted to various courses. Ajith has joined the BSc. Biotechnology course at Government Arts College, and V Sournya has joined the BCom course. Three of our children have joined the BA course and three others have joined the polytechnic course. Sajan, Jeena and Thara have joined the TTC, Hotel Management and Laboratory Technicians' course respectively.

MEDICAL CHECKUP

The Medical Mission of the South Kerala Diocese has been helping this Centre in various ways, especially in the medical rehabilitation of our children. U nder the leadership of Dr. Baburaj, a member of the local managing committee of the CRD and presently working as the Medical Superintendent at the Karakonam Medical College Hospital. the Medical Mission has been subjecting our children to a thorough medical checkup for the last seven years free of cost. This year the programme started on the first Thursday of July. The two doctors and two nurses deputed from Kazhakuttam CSI Hospital for this purpose have been examining our children batch by batch. They hope to finish the work in three months.

EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMME

Envisaged by Mrs. Helen Azariah, Hon. Director of the CRD, this new programme is initiated with a view to giving free rehabilitation services to children below five years. The proposal was sent to CCCYC, our central office which promptly approved of it. As a fIrst step 12 children aged berween 1 year and 5 years were selected and they along with their parents would be brought to this Centre twice a week to get rehabilitation service like physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, awareness sessions for parents and so on. We arrange conveyance for the parents and children.

CASH AWARDS TO ACADEMIC TOPPERS

The voluntary agencies in Thiruvananthapuram have always encouraged our children in their studies by offering them cash awards and other incentives. This year the Rotary Club of Trivandrum Suburban and the Inner Wheel Club of Trivandrum Suburban have come forward to felicitate our children who have securd high marks in Plus Two and VHSC examination.

MAINTENANCE WORK AND PURCHASE

Our Director spared no effon to raise money for the following items. ( 1) fixing railings on the open terrace of the CP children's dormitory; (2) low lockers inside the four dormitories (3) Tricycle and special weighing machine for CP children; ( 4) Plate racks for dining hall (5) Almirah for Occupational therapy and {6) 15 desks and 15 benches for children in the classrooms .

DONATION MADE BY THE CANARA BANK

Twenty specially designed chairs for CP children were presented with the financial assistance of the main branch of the Canara Bank in Trivandrum. The money was handed over to Mrs. Helen Azariah, Hon. Director, by Mr. M. B. N. Rao, Chairman and Managing Director, at a special meeting held at Canara Bank on 17th of July.

MOST REV. DR. I. JESUDASAN

It is high time that we made a special reference to the philanthropic services rendered by Most Rev. Dr. I. Jesudasan, the former Bishop of South Kerala Diocese and the former Moderator, CSI, to the Centre. Even though he retired in 1990 as Bishop of South Kerala Dicoese, he frequently visits the Centre, spends time with the children and staff here, donates money he receives from persons involved in marriages solemnised in the churches to the welfare of the community. With gratitude we remember the fact that he was instrumental in getting the CRD, or Polio Home as it was known then, established in the LMS Compound. He is the elder brother of our former Director, the late Dr. I. Azariah.

AWARENESS MEETING IN SCHOOLS

As a part of our out reach programme, we conducted a "Parents' Awareness Meeting" at Higher Secondary School, Keezharoor on 26.06. 2005 in order to make the parents aware of the necessity for the rehabilitation of the disabled children. Experts in the field of rehabilitation gave fruitful lectures on the subject at the meeting which was attended by the teachers of the school as well. The Social workers of the CRD have been assigned the task of organising such programmes in schools on a quarterly basis.

CORRECTIVE SURGERY

Two CP children, John Cruz and Jeemon underwent corrective surgery at the PMR Department of Medical College, Tri\andrum. Jeemon had been operated upon in April; this is his second surgery. Manu has already been admitted for corrective surgery which will be performed in August itself.

MARRIAGE OF OUR FORMER CHILDREN

During the last quartcr, two of our former children, Sarnkutty and Sarath Chandran, got married. We are glad to state that Samkutty, who has passed BA and BEd with our financial help, has secured a job as LD Clerk in Government

PHYSIOTHERAPY FOR SPASTIC DIPLEGIA

The eight year old boy Anu was brought to the Centre by his parents. He had severe abductor spasms, hamstring tightness and scissoring gait. His pelvic ability and trunk balance were found to be very low. After giving him various torms of therapeutic treatment like strengthening, stretching, placing of sand bag or maintained stretch, gait training and so on, we notified that his disability is greatly reduced. In order to improve his mobility he was given bilateral knee ankle foot orthosis along with balaeral elbow crutches. Now he is walking independently with supportive devices.
The five year old boy Jojo Rexon, another case of spastic diplegia, was brought here two months ago. It was then extremely difficult for him to walk independently without support. He has undergone various exercise modalities like stretching, strengthening, cycling, ladder climbing and rowing, and is now able to walk independently.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Emilraj who is 14 years old found it very difficult to walk with both the lower limbs in abducted position. Because of abductor spasm his legs would cross while walking. After attending various therapy sessions in the Department of Occupational Therapy, he is able to walk without much difficulty, as his abductor spasm is reduced considerably. The grip strength of his left hand, which was very weak initially, has gained remarkably.

PLAY THERAPY SESSION

For the sake of the children a caromboard game was arranged on 23.07.2005. Four tearns consisting of eight players participated in the initial round. In the final round the two teams represented by Joison and Biju on one side and Anu Sankar and Wilson on the other played spiritedly. The latter team scored 18 points as against the 12 scored by the former. Anu Sankar and Wilson were declared the winners.

NEW ADMISSIONS

In this quarter we have admitted Nisha, a girl from Kakkamughal and Jojo Rexon, a boy from Valiyathura to the Centre. Both seem to be happy and they get along well with the other inmates.

PLACEMENT OF CP CHILDREN

Our Social Workers have visited the houses of our former cerebral palsy children. They are pleased to report that Sabu has started a small business venture attached to his house, availing himself of a loan from the Handicapped Persons' Welfare Corporation. He is now able to walk independently. Sabu gleefully declares that he has got the confidence and courage to face the community by mingling with his friends and peer groups who motivated hirn.
Vipin Kumar, another CP boy, is working in a Kinetic Workshop of Balaramapuram.
Jayadeep is working as field worker in Reliance Company.
With legitimate pride and satisfaction we may report that we have helped these boys and their families "to help themselves."

PARENTS TRAINING PROGRAMME

As the parents play a vital role in the rehabiltiation of their djsabled children, we conducted a Parents' Training Programme on 25.06.2005. Experts in the field emphasized the need of parents involvements in handling the psychological needs of children, and the need of integration with the community. Fifty five parents attended the meeting and they benefited from it.

DONATIONS

We are thankful to the undermentioned individuals for their valuable donations to the Centre for the welfare of the children: Mr. Jose Thomas, Dubai; Joy Kallumkal, Dubai; Mr Alan John Blesson, Vanchiyoor; Mr. Blesson John, Vanchiyoor; Mr. Alan Philip, England; Shelagh King, England; Dr. Anna Joseph, Jawahar Nagar; Mr. Justus, Venganoor; Mr. L. Baby Bethel, Kowdiar; Ms. Minu Mary Mathai, Kunnukuzhi; President, Hope for the Suffering, Dr. Hura, Medical College; M/s Chandrika, Pappanamcode, Mrs. Valsamma Koshy, Nanthencode; Ms. Shirly Mohan, Ambalanagar; Mr. George Abraham, Kowdiar; CSI Parish, Dubai; Mr. P. Sabu, Thirumala; and Mr. Ganaprakash, ThirumaIa.

We wholeheartedly welcome donations/contributions from generous individuals towards the upkeep of this eleemosynary institution. Please send them to: The Director Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled LMS Compound Trivandrum-695 033 Kerala, India In this context we should like to state that all donations/contributions will be accepted with gratitude and will go entirely in supplying the needs of the children.

You can also become a foster parent of a deserving child of the Centre or one from the community; or you may become a co-sponsor of a child by sending a fixed amount of money to the Centre. If you are interested in this act of charity, please contact the Director at your earliest convenience.

Best wishes from the children and staff of the Centre.
Helen Azariah, Hon. Director

 

Newsletter No. 28, May 2005

Dear Friend,
Welcome to the May issue of the Newsletter of the Centre for Rehabilitation of the Disabled.

The Summer Vacation
As most of our educational institutions are closed for the summer vacation, our children are on holiday, enjoying themselves with their parents and other relatives. Our social workers have found, to their pleasure and satisfaction, that our children have not turned this vacation into a season of mere idleness and lethargy; most of them have, in fact, combined recreation with academically useful activities. We always encourage our children to interact with others of their age, with their parents and siblings, and friends and relatives, because we regard such interaction as part of our rehabilitation programme. The children will be back on the 1st of June for the next academic year.

Examination
Seventeen of our children appeared for the SSLC examination as private candidates at the Government City High School. We hope that all of them will pass. We are grateful to the government of Kerala for the graceful gesture of extending the duration of the examination by half an hour just to enable the physically handicapped children to complete the answers. Our Plus-II and Vocational Secondary School children too have appeared for their final examination and are hopeful that they will pass. All our children of other classes have appeared for their final examination, and most of them have been promotoed.

Memorial Service of Dr. Isaiah Azariah
A special memorial service was conducted at Dr. Jones Hall on 30.01.2005 to pay homage to the late Dr. I. Azariah, the former director of CRD. Persons from different walks of life, namely, officials of the CSI Diocese, the staff and students from the Karakonam Medical College, the staff and children of the CRD, and Dr. Azariah's personal friends participated in the function. Our Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. J.W. Gladstone and the Most Rev. Jesudasan, the former Bishop and Moderator of CSI were the chief guests. In their memorial speeches all the speakers touched upon some aspects of Dr. Azariah's multi-faceted personality, and mourned the passing away of Dr. Azariah as a great loss to the CRD, the CSI Diocese, and to the community of his friends at large.

Walking Aids to the Poor Ex-Foster Children
We always try our best to raise money to provide our ex-foster children with walking aids. This time, fortunately, Mrs. Val Phillips and Mr. Alan Phillips, volunteers from England, came forward with an amount of Rs. 20,000/ - which they had gathered from a Rotary Club in Scotland and handed over the same to the Director of CRD. Walking aids for eight of our ex-foster children were fabricated at our workshop, and were distributed to them at a special meeting presided over by our Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. J.W. Gladstone. Our Director welcomed the guests and Mr. Jayakumar, Treasurer, South Kerala Diocese, representing the Rotary Club of Trivandrum (Suburban) gave a felicitation speech. Our social worker proposed a vote of thanks.

Band Uniforms for CRD Children
Our Wheel chair band troupe is very well known in Kerala. It is indeed a treat to watch our children sitting on wheel chairs and playing on wind and percussion instruments. When we found it very difficult to provide all the 24 members of the band with the "band uniform," Mrs. Val Phillips and Mr. Alan Phillips once again came to our rescue. They contacted Mr. Eliot of Scotland and collected money from him for the purpose of buying the band uniform for our troupe. We wholeheartedly thank them for everything they have done for the CRD. Our thanks also are due to Mr. Amos, the retired Police Officer presently working at Nirmala Bhavan High School, Trivandrum, as band master, for teaching our children the band songs.

New Admission of CP Children
This year we have thirteen vacancies in CRD for admission of cerebral palsy children, and wide publicity was given over All India Radio, various television channels, and other news media in Thiruvananthapuram, about the existing vacancies. Our social workers, Mr. Bopi and Rev. Jessie Beulah, visited various community centres, churches, and schools with a view to getting cerebral palsy children admitted to our Centre. So far, eight eligible cerebral palsy children have been selected and they will be admitted in the first week of June 2005.

Souvenir of CRD
As you know, a souvenir was published in connection with the thirtieth anniversary of this Centre. Owing to the demise of our Director, Dr. Azariah, the distribution of the copies of the souvenir to the friends of CRD could not be done in time. The copies are now ready for distribution and efforts are made to send the copies to our friends at home and abroad. If you have not recieved your copy, please write to us for it. We earnestly solicit your valuable comments on the souvenir.

Painting Competition
In connection with the centenary celebrations of the Rotary Club of Trivandrum, the organisers conducted a painting competition for the budding artists of various age groups. The competitors were asked to paint something based on the topic "World peace" on a strip of cloth, one hundred metres long, fixed on poles in front of the Secretariat. Eight of our children participated in the competition. The picture drawn by L.R. Binu was specially appreciated by the spectators.

Congratulation
Shiny Prasad of our Computer Training Centre got first prize in long jump at the State level Inter-ITC Meet held at Kollam. She was placed second in High jump and in the 200 metres race. We congratulate her on her achievement.

Helping Hand
We gratefully acknowledge the fact that the Rotary Clubs of Trivandrum, especially the Rotary Club of Trivandrum Suburban, have been helping our institution in various ways. Not to lag behind in acts of charity, the Inner Wheel Club of Trivandrum Suburban has come forward with a substantial donation to the CRD for the purchase of provisions. The members of the Club visited our Centre and familiarised themselves with the requirements of the institution, and sought the advice of our Director for further help.

Corrective Surgery
One of our children,