Dharmishtha’s Journey; how the Ashirwad Trust helped a young girl find her independence
Name: Dharmishtha Surendrasingh Parmar
Disability: Cerebral Palsy
Admission date at the Centre: 10/06/2008
Duration at the Centre: 12 years
Family occupation: Driving
About Dharmishtha:
17 year old Dharmishtha is an enthusiastic girl with a smiling face. She has immense grit. Given her optimistic attitude, she is always willing to grasp opportunities given to her.
Cause of Disability:
Dharmishtha did not cry post birth and just three days after birth, she experienced a jerk that led to Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy affected her mobility as well as speech.
Relationship with Family:
Dharmishtha is raised in a middle class joint family. There are five members in the house. All of them take good care of her and treat her respectfully.
Family hardships:
Owing to her impaired mobility, the family endured struggles initially in taking care of her daily routine. Dharmishtha was unable to sit by herself until she was 3 years old. Attending social events, going to religious places or for physiotherapy became challenging as the family members had to carry her wherever she went.
Student Needs:
Dharmishtha required physiotherapy, speech therapy and training to perform various activities of daily living such as brushing, eating and dressing independently. Additionally, to overcome social exclusion, she required training and empowerment to participate in social functions.
Support provided by Ashirwad Trust for the Disabled, Sayla:
Dharmishtha was provided with a medical certificate, identity card, Sant Soordas Health Policy benefits, a Cerebral Palsy chair and an educational kit. She was also given presents such as firecrackers, kites, water guns, etc during the celebration of festivals.
Dharmishtha - first from left
Dharmishtha (first from right) enthusiastically celebrating national festival
Intervention at Ashirwad Trust for the Disabled:
At the centre, Dharmishtha primarily underwent physiotherapy and was prescribed medication by Dr. Paresh Shah.
She was enrolled in a day-care centre where she received various mobility training that included sitting with and without support, helping her stand and eventually walk with the help of a walker. She was also provided educational and intellectual training at the centre.
Undergoing physiotherapy
Dharmishtha (first from left) sitting with the support of a wall
Dharmishtha (first from right) sitting without support
Dharmishtha sitting on a bench without support
Intervention Outcome:
As a result of such extensive training and support, Dharmishtha showed great progress as she could sit independently and stand with only the support of a chair or window frame. Thereafter, she could walk with support.
Dharmishtha walking with the support of a railing
She is now able enough to take part in the ‘Khel Mahakumbh’, organised by the State of Gujarat, and enthusiastically participates in cultural programs.
Dharmishtha (kneeling down in red dress) dancing with her friends
Dharmishtha is able to write numbers and letters with the assistance of her teachers; as well as recognise colours, shapes, animals, birds, vegetables and also identify her fellow classmates.
Consequent to the academic training, Dharmishtha can now grasp and comprehend concepts well. As a matter of pride, she has cleared the Secondary Board exams and is now studying in class XII.
Currently, with her family support and the Centre’s initiatives, Dharmishtha stays busy in her daily routine.
Testimonial of Dharmishtha’s father, Mr Surendrasingh Parmar
"I express my gratitude towards the staff of the Ashirvad Trust who provided Dharmishtha with the wide-ranging support she needed and treated her with the patience and love only a family can. Initially, Dharmishtha was not keen on attending school but meeting children of her age and receiving the care and tenderness of the staff, she now enjoys attending school. The teachers at the school taught her how to eat independently. They patiently help feed Dharmishtha when she faces difficulty in eating her food.
In fact, during this lockdown she misses her friends and the activities which she used to engage in at school. Before her admission to the centre, Dharmishtha was barely active and would remain sleeping or lying down, completely dependent on us for her needs. However now, though she has difficulty in mobility and speech, she can perform a lot of activities independently. It is not just the fact that she undertakes activities independently that matters; she has been given the encouragement and self-belief that she is capable. She has a sharp mind and strong reflexes and likes to learn and grasp new things. Also, her interests in computers and other digital devices are developing.
Presently, Dharmishtha is studying in class XII and we sincerely believe she can offer something constructive to society, based on the rehabilitation and care she has received."