Going to a grocery store on one’s own; organizing office files; commuting to the office on a bicycle; preparing saplings for planting…ordinary tasks, one might think, and yet perhaps not so ordinary when these tasks are carried out by differently-abled adults in the pursuit of independence.
Too often, we take for granted those actions and things that come to most of us naturally. It is sometimes difficult to comprehend that those very same tasks could be challenging to some of us. Labour has its own special value and dignity, especially for those of us who are not the same as our siblings and parents and not expected to ‘work’ in any fashion.
And yet, as the four team members at the Saahas Inclusive Resource Centre have demonstrated over the past three months, there are many reasons to be proud and hopeful about the future. From staying at home to doing independent assembly line operations; and from being idle and bored to doing presentations and practicing customer service skills is a long way travelled towards a life of purpose and independence.
Ishaan, Rahul, Nasrin and Arnima, take a bow! We are so proud of you.