August 12, 2019
Frustrated by the lack of centres that could offer support for their
disabled grandson, Balaraj and Teresa decided to start a centre of their own.
Today, their venture Balajothi has three centres spread across Karnataka
where 60 children with severe disabilities are supported.
Rahul was born with multiple disabilities including cerebral
palsy, Down syndrome and autism. His grandparents Balaraj
and Teresa spent a lot of time looking for a centre where
they could send him. Finally they found the Spastics Society of
Karnataka where Rahul spent a a few years.
The struggle led the couple to realise the battles other families face to
access therapies and other services under one roof and that led them to start
the Balajothi Centre for the Disabled in Karnataka.
Today there are Balajothi centres in Bengaluru, Kolar and Mysuru.
At Spastics society, Rahul underwent intervention and therapies. Soon
enough, we realised that we had to do something for children like him who
are struggling to fit into a place. Their families faced many difficulties
too. We empathised with them and decided to start a centre of our own.
Rahul was our motivator. He keeps inspiring us to do things new things for
children from disabled community. –Balaraj, Co-founder/Executive
Director, Balajothi Centre for Disabled.
In the first year after their launch, Balajothi received support from
Spastics Society of Karnataka. The society sent therapists and special
educators to help Balaraj and Teresa run the centre smoothly. Then they
started doing things on their own which was a struggle. But the smiling faces
of children made it all worthwhile, says Balaraj.
“We tried to work on our deficiencies. Today, we provide food, therapies
and other facilities to children with physical and intellectual disabilities
who are from economically backward families. Even their transport to our
centre is taken care of. Since most of the parents are struggling for a
living, they cannot afford facilities for their disabled child”, says
Balaraj, who is 73 years old.
All their services are free of cost. With no government support,
the couple are struggling to make ends meet. Thanks to generous donors and
fundraising platforms, they are able to sustain themselves. That is how the
centre also offers occupational and music therapies, physiotherapy and other
services for the children.
“There are no caste, creed or religious differences here. The only criteria
to be admitted at Balajothi is that the child must have severe disabilities,
both physical and intellectual”, adds Balaraj. There are 20 students each
at their three centres and trained special educators ensure that children get
the best training to do things independently.
“When we look back at our journey”, says Teresa, “it has been great. We are
satisfied that we could help many children with disabilities and their
families too. All our children have poor understanding skills. They were not
able to do things on their own. But after coming to our centre, we trained
them to do things independently”.
In spite of the many difficulties and obstacles on their path, Balaraj and
Teresa are hopeful of reaching out to as many children as possible. Their
journey is truly inspiring and motivating.
Contact Balajothi Centre for the Disabled at +91
93419-07162.
ALSO READ: GiftAbled, providing sustainable livelihood to disabled people
