In 1996 a 14 year old boy called Kalpanath was brought to the center with his parents. We were told he was mentally challenged. At that point he had no self confidence – could barely talk above a whisper or lift his head to look at you. For years he had been berated for not being able to cope with school work. Gradually he began to gain in confidence as his ablilities and potential were identified and strenghtened. While he was not able to cope with academics even through the open school system, he did pick up litracy and maths and began to excel in sports and certain vocational activities. Today, after having won a medal representing India at the Special Olympics in Alaska, he is working as a instructor in vocational training at a center for people with special needs. Confident and responsible its now difficult to recognize him as the same boy.
