Special Education Needs

CHANGEMAKER

Mother Courage

ADVOCACY IN SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS WAS KEY IN MAKING THE BOMBAY HIGH COURT DIRECT THE STATE TO MAKE CHANGES IN FAVOUR OF STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES. HOW THIS MOTHER OF TWO SHOWED COURAGE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY

MOST parents of children with learning difficulties are not eager to recount their experiences. Many blame the apathy and lack of interest among school authorities. But, the same cannot be said for Kate Currawalla, founder-president of the Maharashtra Dyslexia Association (MDA). She recounts a positive experience of admitting her sons, who are dyslexic, into a mainstream school. She is, perhaps, among only a handful of parents who have been as fortunate.
   Interestingly, it was this positive experience that inspired Currawalla's advocacy in special educational needs. She elaborates: "The school in which my sons were studying was very encouraging and supportive. The teachers even went out of their way to assist my boys, and I saw how they benefited. But, at the same time, I was acutely aware that this was an exception and not the norm."
   "Besides, even though the school was supportive, it was never easy for my sons or for me. There was a lot of pain in struggling with the effects of the learning difficulty and with the comments from peers and family. An extraordinary amount of time and effort had to be put in to achieve even small successes and there was always the all-pervasive anxiety about the future. I realised that not only is it difficult, even when schools are supportive, but that it is so much worse when they are not. When I met other parents they shared their experiences of schools being hostile and indifferent. They all felt a sense of despair," she adds. And thus, MDA was formed in 1996 by a group of parents and professionals with the aim to create awareness and advocate the right of students with learning difficulties.
   Although dyslexia is more widely known today, in 1988, when Currawalla discovered that her older son was dyslexic, there were hardly any professionals around to help diagnose it. In fact, it was due to MDA's concerted efforts that the Bombay High Court directed the state to make changes in favour of students with learning difficulties. Following this, the state government issued a resolution on provisions for students with dyslexia (difficulty with language), dysgraphia (difficulty with writing) and dyscalculia (difficulty with numbers).
   Currawalla elaborates: "The state education department held a series of workshops that were attended by every school principal in Mumbai. They were provided clear guidelines on how to support children with learning difficulties in mainstream schools. They were even told that if they did not co-operate, it would not be taken lightly."
   The work done by Kate and MDA even inspired Amole Gupte and Deepa Bhatia, the writer-duo of the hugely successful Bollywood film, Taare Zameen Par. "They worked closely with us when they were researching for the film. Taare Zameen Par was a boost to the cause; the film beautifully captures the isolation of the little boy Ishaan, the film's protagonist who is dyslexic, as well as the intervention by his sensitive arts teacher who helps tap his creativity," she says.
   A proud mother, Currawalla says her biggest achievement is how her sons have turned out. "As parents, you always have to make tough choices and it is even harder when your child has a special need. You have to strike the balance between motivating them without pushing them. Today, my elder son is working in the US in graphics and visual effects while my younger son has joined the family business. My personal success has made me even more determined that with a little bit of help and understanding we can tap the potential of every child, irrespective of his/her needs."
   And her advice to parents: "Believe in your kids and in yourself."