International Day of Persons with Disabilities - 3rd December 2010

On 3rd December, we are going to observe 'The International Day of Person's with Disabilities.' The International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1992. The annual observance of the Day aims to increase awareness and understanding of disability issues and trends, and to mobilise support for practical action at all levels by, with and for persons with disabilities.

This year's theme is "Keeping the promise: Mainstreaming disability in the Millennium Development Goals(MDG) towards 2015 and beyond". It aims to ensure that disability and the concerns of people with disabilities are included in the commitments. The inclusion of persons with disabilities in all development activities is essential to realizing the MDGs and other development goals. This year's Day will serve as a reminder to governments, global leaders, policy-makers and other stakeholders to keep up their efforts on behalf of disability-inclusive development.

The 13 December 2006 adoption of the Convention by the UN General Assembly reflected an attitudinal change towards people with disabilities. The Convention recognises that persons with disabilities have the same inherent dignity as persons without them, are capable of claiming their rights, and should be participating members of society. As of November 2010, 147 countries have signed the Convention, and 96 have ratified it.(Sources-www.hrea.org, UN Dept of Public Information, UN Enable)

We have made a good start by introducing a path breaking Right to Education (RTE) where in children with special needs are included in the mainstream schools. Hope to see some real affirmative action in other spheres as well.

In the month of December, besides International Day for Persons with Disability, we are also observing Volunteering Month, so are planning a workshop for effective volunteering. So please register your names, be with us.

Let us make both these events meaningful!

I am One in a Hundred .....& want to be the only one so!

This is not a boast but a wish, a commitment made on the occasion of National Epilepsy Day which falls on 17th Nov 2010.The epilepsy statistics say that every one person in a hundred has epilepsy( tendency to have Fits /Seizures ) & this National Day our earnest efforts should be to keep it constant & better still, make it nil. But this statistics will be brought down only by Preventive measures towards Epilepsy & Awareness about them.

Nov 17th is commemmorated as National Epilepsy Day & the entire November month will be dedicated to Epilepsy Awareness. This year, Indian Epilepsy Association (IEA) which is a National Body has decided to focus on 'Women & Child'. IEA has urged all their 27 chapters / branches & neurology depts/organisations to focus their programs on this theme to have a stronger impact.
Children's Day is also celebrated in the month of November.

In India we celebrate November 14 as Children's Day, while 20th November is universally celebrated as Children's Day. In India this day has been preponed to 14th November, the date that marks the birth anniversary of independent India's first Prime Minister – Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.The reason why his birthday has been chosen for the celebration of children is because of his love and passion for children.

So it becomes doubly important that we take extra care in case of children on this Epilepsy Day. My journey in the special education & disability field started with my having epilepsy attacks post childbirth & eventually my joining IEA & Samman- Epilepsy Support Group in Mumbai. In these past 15 years of my association with Samman, I have seen that impact of epilepsy is adverse in childhood & it clouds every aspect of life thereafter. I have witnessed many cases of children with epilepsy going haywire due to lack of resources. In this month all our efforts are to increase Epilepsy Awareness & provide resources that are available for people with epilepsy.Especially to provide educational , psycho-social guidance to children with epilepsy & their parents. Let us all join hands together to bring "Epilepsy Out Of The Shadows!"

For further Information regarding treatment of epilepsy Click here

Global Campaign against Epilepsy: Out of the Shadows Bringing support to epileptic patients

Read NEVER NEVER GIVE UP!

WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY DIWALI & A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!!

This year, like every year, ChildRaise had organised a Diwali Exhibition on the 30th and 31st of October 2010, which was a great success. We were successful in creating a lot of awareness on children with special needs. Well-wishers and supporters poured in, providing us with appreciation & encouragements throughout.

On 14th November we will be celebrating Children's Day & on 17th November we will celebrate National Epilepsy Day. Indian Epilepsy Association has appealed to their chapters all over India & other organisations to focus on women and children with epilepsy for a unified effort to raise epilepsy awareness from all corners.

Preparations for festivities were on when we received the sad news of Mr. Damodar Tilak, disability activist, who passed away in Pune, where he used to reside along with his wife & Nandita, fondly called as Nandu (who is mentally challenged) .Mr. Tilak, had worked tirelessly for the welfare of mentally challenged. In financial planning section we have made available his entire book. We, at ChildRaise pray that his soul may rest in peace...