During one of my animations in an elite city school, I took off an hour to visit a nearby house of the MC Brothers (Missionaries of Charity) for the differently abled men, most of whom are mentally retarded, others sick who need daily nursing and assistance. One MC Brother whom I knew from the seminary days, took me around to show their boarding. At seeing me, most of them rushed to wish me, held my hand (against my unwillingness!) and expressed their sentiments. Some had something to tell me, with their muttering words. Unlike the MC Brother, I tried to shrug myself from their close proximity.
They have a small dispensary, which is crucial to the physical healing and treatment of the 45 inmates. One of them, lying down in bed, expresses to me that he is not well, and needs rest. Once he feels comfortable, he would join the rest for the outdoor recreation in the courtyard. Another boy came to me limping. He extended his hand to hold my hand. He held on and I reluctantly held for a while. Seeing so many differently abled elderly persons I thought of their common cause: all had one or other physical ailment. I focused my thought on what bothers most in the poor society - concrete issues and problems of today, namely, health crises, hunger, violence, social inequality, migration, political crises, ethics and social issues. Brother Mariadas brought to my attention of the many years that these ‘adult boys’ faced fierce problems and abuses in life, that marred their memories – a result of marginalization, exploitation, and being despised. And here are six MC Brothers taking care of them with compassion and love.
I began to be aware the daily challenges they face, being stigmatized as they carry their ‘diseases’ for life. An experience of encounter
with these ‘differently abled persons’, change my perceptions and attitudes,
and generate greater understanding their daily struggle and the need for assistance
to help these suffering persons, and the
MC members, dedicated to care for them. How can the middle-class students of a
school where I went to animate, can make efforts on giving special emphasis on how to
support and show solidarity with these ‘broken’ brothers, visiting them,
cleaning their wounds, serving food to them, make available their resources and assistance? According to
the WHO study, 55 million people live with dementia worldwide. These members
whom I had met, are part of this number. Most of them have forgotten memories -
most common type of dementia.
Each
of these members needs special attention. All 56 persons are with mental and
physical disabilities. They need constant help, night and day. They are called
boys although they are between 20 and 70. They have not grown mentally. Some
are on wheelchairs and unable to do anything by themselves. Brother told me
that they take only mentally challenged and handicapped persons. Often they are
abandoned by relatives who found it difficult to take care of them. They are
given here a home and treat them as part of a family. Besides this work, the
MCs give food, medicines and other materials to poor people around. They look
after those rejected by society. The house makes the ‘boys’ part of a family.
This is what differentiates the house from other charitable and religious
institutions. This ‘home’ of Charity is a living example of God's universal
love, that provides neighbors an opportunity to practice works of mercy.
Taking care of these boys becomes a Christian mission.
For
the principal, teachers and students of the elite school I spoke about, can be a
learning experience. The children can be taught to be sensitive to these boys
through occasional encounters with them, organizing moments of entertainment,
service and sharing. They can give joy to all these persons. That is their gift
to them.
How
then, can we all be open to the elderly, differently abled, and be close to the
poor, and teach the same to our children ?
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