A Class of 150 Students, filled with hope to learn more and more!

March 13 2015:) A day full of happiness and amazing hatke experience in my memory book:) 

Left to Mysore early morning by 6 am with Nagrathna, Vijay, Jacob and Manju Anna who drove us safely:) We had good fun filled discussions on our way...  As per earlier plan trainers Jacob and I were told that this session was more of interaction and assessment of students so that we are building base for our Foundation training that is planned on 26th and 27th March. As we had no topic in mind we were clueless about what we would train on. We just knew there would be 2 batches one to be trained by Jacob and me separately:) We reached the venue JSS Poly technique College for Differently Abled late by half an hour, so we had to immediately rush to the class room. To our surprise we had all students in 1 class. It was a class of 150 students with a mix of Hearing Impaired/Deaf, Visually Impaired, Students on Wheel Chair, Few had multiple disabilities like on wheel chair and challenged for not having complete hand.... A class full of students with disabilities, yet. each face full of expressions, hope and excitement to learn and grow in life. Jacob a super trainer, chose to observe the class and choose his topic based on his observations....  So here begins the Training with my session... Being used to doing couple of energisers I chose to start the session with same. I chose a energiser which needed lot of energy and body movement. After declaring that we are doing a small energiser game named 8 4 2 1 that needs the participants to scream  to shake right hand left hand right leg left leg and twist in 8 4 2 1 order, I stepped back for a moment in my mind and thought am I doing right for a crowd of 150+ with a mix of disabled who would find it challenging to do. A person with multiple disability might not be able to shake and twist his hands and legs, a visually impaired might not see what all are doing, a hearing impaired might not be able to scream 8 4 2 1 and so on. Having said this and thought of challenges, I thought each one of us have challenges including me who is disabled completely and unproductive during my migraine attacks. So thought let me get this done by saying how I am disabled when I have migraine and so is each of us sitting there. But we all will do it together and  complete the activity with whatever abilities we have. I could hear 8 4 2 1 loudly from all those who could scream, I Could see people shaking and twisting whoever could and most importantly 1 thing common that was flowing around for that 5 mins was "laughter, smile and positive energy". The session just picked up from there and the flow went on so well that we had so many discussions right from decision making to positive thinking to cherishing skills and qualities we possess to the Silent National Anthem (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk02qPlnS2E).... Followed by my session was super energetic session by Jacob who again went with flow and taught so manyyy things to students related to queries they had about interviews they would be attending in future. He just filled each one of them with confidence! Not to forget Jacob got a Sign Name and ya I got one more sign name the one related to energiser I did;)

A session that started with no clue ended up with loads of learning and memories not just for students but to the Trainers as well:) All of this for sure wouldn't have been possible without super coordination by Vijay with awesome team of JSS and YES! the Interpreters Nagrathna, Kanchan and one more Deaf student (sorry forgot the name) who voluntarily did few signs which were different and new for all of us but were understood by couple of them in crowd:) 3 Cheers to the Dedicated Team of JSS, Cheshire Homes India Bangalore and the students:) Hip Hip Hurray! And Yes I am looking forward for the Foundation Training on 26th and 27th:)

How could I miss telling this JSS Polytechnique College for Differenntly Abled is Just one best example of disabled friendly campus!