A sensitive touch

A sensitive touch 

Herald Review June 29, 2014

Sense International and Caritas Goa run a programme that is transforming the lives of the deafblind in Goa  

LISA ANN MONTEIRO 


Confined to a world of darkness and silence, the deafblind who found hope in the Caritas resource room in Panjim have found a new sense of self worth. On Friday, the eve of Hellen Keller’s birthday, and with the help of special educators they began various economic generation activities.

Mahesh, 23, is one such promising adult who has benefitted from the centre. Totally blind but with partial hearing, Mahesh sits cross- legged on the floor and skillfully threads beads to make pretty bracelets. His special educator tells him which box has which coloured beads and he alternates the beads, making a fancy pattern that he unfortunately cannot admire visually.

Mahesh attended the National Academy for the Blind but had to stop schooling when he fell sick. For seven years he was kept indoors where he did practically nothing. His parents were at a loss how to deal with the situation either, as is the case with many parents of deafblind.

Once his parents got in touch with Caritas, a special educator began coming home. His educator taught him to differentiate between different notes of Rs 10, Rs 50 and Rs 100 and to count using them. He also taught Mahesh to walk to a store nearby, shop for eggs and then cook them.

Likewise, special educators trained in the field of deafblindness make house visits across the state when the children and young adults cannot make it to the centre.

Sense International partnered with Caritas Goa in 2012 and has been funding the project since. The resource room run from Caritas Holiday Home has six special educators and 12 children visiting the resource room each week. Medical aid is also provided to those who require it and tutors are arranged for those who are studying at school.

The unique disability— a combination of visual and hearing impairment means that the deafblind are often denied admission into special schools for the blind and schools for the deaf. The degree of deafness and blindness varies but the combination of dual sensory loss leads to unique problems in an individual’s communication, mobility and ability to access information. This makes deafblindness one of the most isolating disabilities.

Caritas’ individual education programme designs short- term and longterm goals for each child and their progress is monitored. From eating, drinking to toileting, the educators teach them everything they need to function as independently as they can.

A 13 year old deafblind boy diagnosed with cerebral palsy was kept on the bed at home with no activity for years. He wasn’t able to walk or sit down. After working with physiotherapists and special educators over months, he is able to sit cross- legged on the floor. Another boy, all of 14 years, would get five seizures each day. With medical intervention these have reduced considerably.

A special educator travels to Sanguem once a week to work with him.

Project co- ordinator Reflino Fernandes says Caritas is looking for a place in Agaçaim where the deafblind can run their activity. “ Here they will make their knick knacks, sell them and even handle all the accounts.” Until then they will work through the week and their creations will be put up for sale outside churches and temples on Sundays.

Fr Maverick Fernandes, director of Caritas, says the centre is looking for more deafblind children and adults. They have only managed to survey North Goa.

They will soon venture into South Goa scouting hospitals, schools and slums for these children.

The centre can be contacted at 9049685117/ 22226509. Review Bureau