CHENNAI: Parents are the partners of medical care specialists in helping children with special needs, said K Sekar, professor and registrar, National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS). Addressing a gathering of parents of special children, organised by Sai Sriram Training Centre and VOICES, a parents association, Sekar spoke about the importance of resilience in families. “Parents gain resilience the moment they can eliminate feeling guilty about special children, and learn to nurture them,” he said. “Families with such children are better placed to provide knowledge and support to others with similar needs.”
Joseph Xavier, former principal, Loyola College, said there are multiple reasons why parents of children with special needs get stressed. “Expectations, financial problems, societal judgements are some of them. But, then the main reason is that parents are unable to accept the truth,” he pointed out. “First there is disbelief, denial, depression and finally acceptance. But acceptance should come early. Look at the situation as an opportunity rather than as a burden.”In his speech, Henry Prakash, senior professor, physical medicine and rehabilitation, Christian Medical College, Vellore, warned parents against believing everything they read online about treatments. Other guests spoke about the importance of recognising the potential of these children, instead of focusing on their disability.
I CAN, a short movie on the life of Sriram Srinivas, a 25-year old with cerebral palsy and mental retardation, was screened. Sriram overcame difficulties to excel in national and international level swimming and track competitions.