General News

Don't pity, let them live life

PARENTS of children living with any form of disability must not pity their children, but instead treat them as they would other children.

These are the words of Shabina Prasad whose 13-year-old daughter Rachel has a hearing impairment but attends Gospel Primary School, competing academically against children without any form of disability.

"Although it broke my heart when I saw that my daughter had no ears when she was born on Sunday September 22, 1996, I had to challenge myself that I will make sure Rachel lives a normal life despite that," Ms Prasad said.

"Today, Rachel goes to a normal school among some 900 students, goes to the movies and enjoys social life. She is a normal girl and having hearing impairment doesn't mean she cannot enjoy a normal life like everyone else," she said.

Ms Prasad worked for eight years at the Gospel School for the Deaf in Vatuwaqa and noted parents were sometimes embarrassed because of their child's disability.

"That should not be the case, parents must not pity their children who are living with disabilities but they should be encouraged to live a normal life and be free from the stigma that continues to exist in Fiji," she said.

Additional Information

Country: Fiji
Website: http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=140723
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Source: Mail from: D_and_d_sub mailing list
When: 25/2/2010