BALLARI: God only gives special needs children to special people. So goes an oft-quoted line to describe parents of special children. It also applies to some special people who develop a bonding with these children and inspire them to transcend their disabilities. Like Rajini Lakka.
The 57-year-old swimmer, who has participated in national and international events and won medals, now imparts free training to children with special needs, physically challenged, visually challenged and the hearing and speech impaired.
Ballari-based Lakka is perhaps the only woman swimmer in the state to give free training to these kids throughout the year and prepares them for state and national level swimming competitions. The time and effort have been worth it with the children proving their mettle and winning medals too.
Helping others push their limits isn’t something new for Lakka. She herself did it when she first took part in swimming competitions at the age of 46. She had a reason.
Married at a young age, she devoted her time to children and family. “When my children grew up and completed their education, I wanted to realise my childhood dream of becoming a swimmer. I was an athlete in school and participated in javelin and shot put competitions. When I told my husband about my desire to take part in swimming competitions meant for elders, he encouraged me,” she said.
From swimming, Lakka turned to coaching and hasn’t looked back. “Most of the parents of these kids are poor. I wanted to boost their morale and make the children happy like others,” says Lakka. She also secured level 1,2 and 3 coaching certificates from the American Swimming Coaches Association besides a certificate from the Canadian Red Cross Course.
Today, Lakka’s hands are full, giving lessons daily. She is currently training 12 children with some form of disability, including a boy without legs. The boy Gopichand has already mastered 200 metres freestyle and 200 metres backstroke. Now, he is receiving breaststroke and butterfly stroke lessons. Lakka prepared him in just two months. “I will train these children till my limbs are strong enough to do so,” she says.
Recognising her services, Ballari district administration has permitted her to use the government swimming pool at District Stadium to train the children. “Regional Commissioner Almal Aditya Biswas suggested that I use the government pool. Successive deputy commissioners renewed the permissions,” she says.
Lakka hopes the government pitches in with financial assistance for the children. “For instance, organisers give only one room to a group of special children and don’t allow their parents to stay. Coaches like me spend from our pockets to take the children to competitions,” she says.
Lakka has the unflinching support of husband Ramana Reddy, a landlord. He allocates a “swimming fund” of Rs 1 lakh every year for her mission. “It is her interest and I’m supporting her,” he says. The couple has two sons, who are settled outside Ballari.