Physically Challenged children unconsciously carry some negativity about their disability. Initially if the counselor points it out to the candidates flatly deny it. This is the most vital and delicate issue observed in many special children.
Make My Dream Foundation, has come out with an adventurous solution to overcome these negative barriers. Initially, our candidates were not ready to opt for taking the public mode of transport for travelling. But that time the foundation strongly inculcated the thought in them that they have normal mental health and if they wish to pursue studies in a crowded and costly city like Pune, they should be able to comply with their daily chores like any other person.
While working on this issue, we came forward with a trekking mission for them. Initially, we climbed the Parvati Hill in May 2012 with candidates having more than 90% disability in their legs. With the help of calipers and crutches they climbed Parvati in just 20 minutes and mentally became barrier free. Their confidence boosted up tremendously with this adventure trekking.
There they realized that it was just fear that created a hurdle in climbing the hill and they could do it with their strong will power and determination with some extra patience and care. They enjoyed the climbing and very excited and look forward to such activities.
In December 2012, we climbed Rajmachi Fort with these special ones. It was a great expedition. Some candidates expressed that the experience of doing the trek was very fulfilling. Sunita says “I watched this fort many times while travelling by bus and thought that these things were not made for us. But now after climbing the fort, I feel really great because I had never thought of it! Watching the buses/ vehicles in the ghats and roads, trains from the peak of fort is very, very joyful and a great thing for me.”
We organized Sinhagad Trek for them in November 2013. It took about 11 hours to climb such steep road. But our candidates dared to complete the trek with great courage, patience and confidence. Their classroom sessions on personality development seemed to reflect as they got the experience of that day trek. It was an experience that they would cherish lifelong. They felt it to be an experience like climbing Mount Everest.
Our trekking expedition proved to be a turning point for these candidates.