|
|
 |
|
News Letter of Mysore Spastic Society |
Archives |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 4th Issue, |
October 2009 |
|
|
| An overview of the Counselling at Sneha Kiran |
|
|
|
|
Mrs. Thangam Venkateswaran (Family counsellor) |
|
|
|
|
Raising a child with CP can be challenging, exciting, harrowing, and draining experience. Any amount of time, patience, money, sacrifice seems insufficient. To live a life where your child is a part of your every moment of existence, where this child needs your complete attention, where the needs of other members in the family are put on lower priority and knowing fully well that only that much of improvement can be achieved may be in itself quite a life to live. |
|
|
|
The past one year as a counselor at Sneha Kiran has opened doors to a whole new world of dedicated, passionate, positive parenting. Some striking features during my one to o
ne interactions with them were mostly caregivers,
mothers or grandmothers. All without an exception were happy with the facility and get-away from domestic chores, so that they could give undivided attention to their child. Some of the issues they faced were the behavioral attitude of the normal child at home. They had to cope with anger, defiance, blaming, attention seeking and other behavioral problems exhibited by this child. For some, husbands were only providers, for some, they were abandoned by their husbands, for some, extended family did support, often the mothers were blamed for the special child. A day in their lives was long and stretched with no time for themselves. Most of them had few friends, fearing embarrassment or non acceptance by society. |
|
|
|
Some of the initiatives taken through counselling were – providing a space where they share feelings freely without being judged or ridiculed. Many did express that this was the first time that someone listened to them. Depending on their family structure and circumstances at which they live, various approaches are suggested to take life positively. |
|
|
|
A group session was held where the commonality of their situations were openly discussed respecting the confidentiality of the group. This session brought the group closer as they realized that many of the issues each faced were similar to others. The school also spoke about setting expectations with respect to attendance, feeding, toileting habits of children, & the need to make their children as independent as possible. The importance of spending time for themselves was talked about as care giving to a special child is a lifelong process and they need to be energized to do it well. |
|
|
|
An exclusive ‘fathers day’ program was also conducted in June 21, 2009. The main objective of this program was to bring the fathers together, to share their experiences to one another and the self-realization of their role, in raising a special child. It was also suggested that every father should accompany the child to Sneha Kiran for at least once a month – to understand the daily routine the mother, special child and the school goes through . This was the first time some of the fathers actually stayed back to interact with the staff. Many were as emotional as their womenfolk, about the thought of having a disabled child. |
|
|
|
An interesting effective group sharing session was conducted for the teachers. Teachers shared learning-concerns and apprehensions both personal and work related within the group. Their feedback is valuable in the context of Sneha Kiran’s growth. We hope to keep these endeavors going with the unstinted support of the Sneha Kiran family. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
