By Sr. Ching Madduma, ICM

Sr. Ching, a Filipino missionary in India, continues her beautiful story about bringing handicapped people out of the land of shadows. She discovered Kamal, when he was four years old, chained up and almost abandoned. Slowly he began to work with him – removed his chains and introduced him to wonders of water.

Read on:

First Unit
In the same year I met Kamal, I opened the first unit for persons with mental handicaps at Sarnath Normal School compound. Kamal was enrolled in this unit.

With other Children
It was different environment and a great adjustment for him to be with other children. Each day he insisted on coming first to our compound, so that I would take him along to the unit.

Patient Grandmother
Relying on the patience grandmother, who continuously cares for him, Kamal continues as a regular student in my little group.

Alone
He seldom joins the other children in theirs activities in spite of the teacher’s invitation and persuasion. But, though he prefers to be alone, he observes that the other children are doing.

Image in Mirror
Kamal enjoys plucking flowers or uprooting flowering plants; he tears paper into small pieces and lets these fly repeatedly like raindrops. He likes to see himself in the mirror – he smiles and touches his image.

Many Activities
He arranges boxes and bottles in many places and lines them up according to sizes. He enjoys hanging on the wall all types off picture – charts and picture from magazine that he picks up anywhere. All the above activities he does routinely and undisturbed.

Twigs to chart
As Kamal continues to grow, his interests have changed from twigs to colored papers, charts, magazines, boxes and even books. He collects all these things from everywhere – stores, private houses, street garbage.

Likes to Scavenge
One time, without the sister’s knowledge, he picked up the bible and some hymn books from our chapel. Kamal seems to enjoy scavenging. Because of this hobbies or obsession of his, some people call him “chor” (thief) and he is disliked by some.

He Understands
Although Kamal cannot talk or write or count, and though he is slow in learning, he understands what is being told him.

Improving
He is improving. Kamal has potential on some vocational skills. He can put together in due course, without trial and error, all the jigsaw puzzle in the unit room. He shows good memory traits. He can sort out objects by kinds, size and color. Kamal has learned to eat properly according to local custom – he washed his hands before eating, squats properly, and uses his right hand to feed himself.

Spreads Mats; Pours Water
At mealtime, he is responsible for spreading the mats to sit on, for pouring water in each glass, and for folding back the mats and sweeping the floor after eating.  He washes his own lunch – box and glass. He has been given the responsibility to clean the toilet before class departure.

Bathes by Himself
Occasionally, when he wants to go home, or simply wants to leave the class earlier, he takes the hard broom and the pail of water to clean the toilet. According to local custom, he relieves himself in the open fields and goes to nearby pond wash his bottom. He can bathe himself with occasional direction.

He Recognizes People
He recognizes familiar people and calls their attention by making sounds. He practices the customary way of greeting by folding his hands together with a shy smile. He joins his classmates only during physical exercises and games.

(To be continued)