Spastics Society of Northern India
 Pankaj
Kapoor is no different from the rest of mankind.
He has the same dreams and the same aspirations. They
do not need our sympathy but our support. Sitting
on the wheel chair he does his work with immense dexterity.
His striking cheerful smile greets every visitor.
"I joined the Spastic Society in the year
1984. Along with my physiotherapy, I did my education
from here. I feel nice to work here and it is a good
feeling to be independent. I travel by bus to work
every morning. I want to study further but I have
the problem of writing exams," says Pankaj,
with a smile.
Sam who wants to lead a normal life and work
in an office is disabled. "I am an ex-student
of the Spastic Society. I have recently finished my
graduation from Shaheed Bhagat Singh college in commerce
and now I am looking for a job," says the
hopeful Sam.
There are many disabled people who are trying to
lead a normal and self sufficient life. One such organization
which caters to their needs is The Spastics Society
of Northern India. They work for people who have
cerebral palsy, other neuromuscular and multiple disabilities.
The society not only works with them but also with
the parents of the disabled. Under its various programs
it tries to rehabilitate the disabled people into
enhanced human beings.
The organization's emphasis is to teach them to fight
with their disability. "The idea is to make
them fight with their disability rather than ignoring
it. Because they have to live with it throughout their
life," says Dr. Francis Rebello.
The organization works towards every aspect of the
disabled person through its various programs. The
society provides a special program called the Home
Management where the parents and the care givers
of the disabled people are counseled to deal with
the person. Also there is a Daily walk in Clinic
where the carers are trained to be more effective
in the management of their child.
 Besides
giving physiotherapy treatment to disabled the society
also takes care of their other needs. It does its
best to provide the essential education to its students.
The Center for Special Education (CSE) focuses
on imparting regular technical inputs to the children,
maximizing their potential. Through the Formal
Stream the students can pursue the regular school
syllabus. But those who cannot pursue the regular
school syllabus due to their physical, mental or cognitive
limitations are educated under the Non formal Stream.
Here the focus is on learning through practical experience.
For the adults there is a Vishwakarma Adult Training
Centre. Here they are given some vocational training
so that they can generate a livelihood.
The students are involved in many cocurricular activities
organized by the society to boost their confidence.
The organization also conducts awareness programmes
for the public on how to treat disabled people.
Spastic Society of Northern India offers the following
services:
Rehabilitation, communication and speech therapy
Education, counselling and personal development
Parent training, supported programmes at home
Integration into schools, jobs and the community
Information on government schemes and facilities
Activities to deepen spiritual values
Address: 2, Balbir Saxena Marg, Hauz Khas,
New Delhi - 110 016
Phone: 696 6331, 656 9107 Fax: 685 3002
E-mail: ssni@del3.vsnl.net.in
- Avni Sood
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10:37:44 AM 
