Ronit was just short of his 15th birthday when he started attending APAAR's sheltered workshop for social skills, pre-vocational and vocational training in July 2021.
Other special schools were closed for Covid -19 still. We had re-opened APAAR on July 22, 2020 after just three months off in the pandemic. (We now require full vaccination by staff and clients to attend APAAR's sheltered workshop.)
Ronit's dad ,who works outside India ,saw him recently after seven years and was amazed at how different he is now. He does not run from home for starters. He would run from home and had to chased. Twice the police found Ronit as his family could not trace him.
A year or so before starting at APAAR, 14 year old Ronit took his 10 year old sister's bike and left the house. She chased barefoot after him crying in despair ( of losing him) but soon lost him as he was cycling. A shopkeeper helped her call their mother.
Ronit was not found for three terrible hours. His mother lodged a police report. As dusk gathered , by the bus station of Jalandhar , a scream was heard. Ronit was trying to prevent someone from snatching his bike. This was several kilometres from his home. Ronit is non- verbal with intellectual disability.
The police informed Ronit's mom who got him home. His sister was crying loudly , frantic all those hours.
This is not an unusual story. Running from home - for an outing - as your family is unable to take you safely happens. Try to imagine a home confined life in your childhood and adolescence when your siblings go to school daily !
On seeing swings in melas , Ronit would get " hyper"--- it was hard to control him in public.
This Feb 5, at the Guru Ravi Das mela close to his home, Ronit peacefully sat on the two rides smiling. He ate a snack and came joyfully home with his family.
He goes on outings with APAAR each month. He is now socially appropriate . He is respected .
These pictures with his parents and sisters taken at this mela last week say it all. We aim to keep our beneficiaries home, out of institutions.
Changing the landscape one young man at a time ---- one family at a time. That is our job here at APAAR.
And we love it.
