It was a day of delight for several differently abled people as they
got an opportunity to showcase their skills at the Regional Abilympics
for people with disabilites that was conducted here recently.
People from rural areas too got an opportunity to showcase their vocational skills despite their disability.
Vidyasagar, an NGO working for spastic children, hosted the South Zone Abylympics. The event provided an opportunity for the disabled people to network with each other as this was a huge community participation. “This is also an opportunity for the judges who are from corporates to see what these people are capable of and give them an opportunity at a bigger level,” said Dipti Bhatia, director of Vidyasagar.
The excitement on the faces of the participants was evident as this year’s competitions drew the most number of participants compared to the previous editions. Over 500 differently-abled people from various parts of South India participated in these vocational skills competition.
Kaavya Shivakumar, a 19-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, has been practising floral arrangement for the past 10 days. “She could talk about nothing but these competitions the whole week and even woke up at 4 am,” said Kaavya’s mother, Latha Shivakumar.
Nagamanjari, another participant, who does not like flowers, took part in the flower arrangement competition as she wanted to compete. Both Kaavya and Nagamanjari have cerebral palsy which restricts their movements.
“It gives us immense joy and mental satisfaction when we see our students showcasing their abilities,” said R Shasikala, their teacher at Vidya Sagar.
For Harishanthan, who has polio, this is the second Abilympics in which he is competing.
In the 2007 edition, he excelled at the international level and won the bronze medal in photography. “This year, my aim is to win the gold medal in the International Abilympics ,” he said. He hoped that not only the organisers of these competitions but also the government would recognise the skills that the disabled people posses.
The Regional Abilympics for South Zone was inaugurated by Jayakodi, State Commissioner for People with Disabilities, on the Anna University Sports Grounds. The competitions took place over two days at Anna University, Vidya Sagar, Thakkar Baba Vidyalaya, Little Flower Convent and The Kotturpuram Community Centre. Winners will move on to compete at the national level and further the International Abilympics that is organised by the International Abilympics Association.
Source : The New Indian Express , 9th December 2013
People from rural areas too got an opportunity to showcase their vocational skills despite their disability.
Vidyasagar, an NGO working for spastic children, hosted the South Zone Abylympics. The event provided an opportunity for the disabled people to network with each other as this was a huge community participation. “This is also an opportunity for the judges who are from corporates to see what these people are capable of and give them an opportunity at a bigger level,” said Dipti Bhatia, director of Vidyasagar.
The excitement on the faces of the participants was evident as this year’s competitions drew the most number of participants compared to the previous editions. Over 500 differently-abled people from various parts of South India participated in these vocational skills competition.
Kaavya Shivakumar, a 19-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, has been practising floral arrangement for the past 10 days. “She could talk about nothing but these competitions the whole week and even woke up at 4 am,” said Kaavya’s mother, Latha Shivakumar.
Nagamanjari, another participant, who does not like flowers, took part in the flower arrangement competition as she wanted to compete. Both Kaavya and Nagamanjari have cerebral palsy which restricts their movements.
“It gives us immense joy and mental satisfaction when we see our students showcasing their abilities,” said R Shasikala, their teacher at Vidya Sagar.
For Harishanthan, who has polio, this is the second Abilympics in which he is competing.
In the 2007 edition, he excelled at the international level and won the bronze medal in photography. “This year, my aim is to win the gold medal in the International Abilympics ,” he said. He hoped that not only the organisers of these competitions but also the government would recognise the skills that the disabled people posses.
The Regional Abilympics for South Zone was inaugurated by Jayakodi, State Commissioner for People with Disabilities, on the Anna University Sports Grounds. The competitions took place over two days at Anna University, Vidya Sagar, Thakkar Baba Vidyalaya, Little Flower Convent and The Kotturpuram Community Centre. Winners will move on to compete at the national level and further the International Abilympics that is organised by the International Abilympics Association.
Source : The New Indian Express , 9th December 2013
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