We’re very grateful to Suma and Sanmitra Trust for the opportunity to have Tarush be part of their initiative, “Educating the World on Prevention of Cerebral Palsy”. Tarush has voluntarily been part of several social initiatives related to HIV positive kids, Speech and Hearing challenged people, Education for kids of the economically backward classes, etc., but this was the first time that he undertook a social program in a structured manner.
Suma patiently coordinated asynchronous academic and extra-curricular schedules of a dozen children across age groups, and ensured deep participation from all, sometimes even from their respective families! Meetings were organized with the various CP stakeholders involved, right from gynecologists, specialists, rehabilitation center workers, and CP patients themselves, and that helped build deep empathy with CP in Tarush and us alike. A lot of research work was also involved, and we were amazed to see how the team worked together to create extraordinary awareness campaigns.
In one such awareness campaign, Tarush was part of the 3 member team under Suma that presented to nearly 40 adults at Sneha Counseling Center, a social outfit that is primarily engaged in teenagers’ counseling activities. At the end of the ~45 minute interactive session, it was heart-warming to see most of them come forward and express their amazement at their ignorance on the subject, and how they would like to volunteer to spread the message around CP awareness as well. A job well done!
Sanmitra Trust also set up a stall to raise CP awareness levels in a community fair called the “Kaikondrahalli Kere Habba”, where the CP team explained the concept to around 1000 people over 8 hours! It was a great learning experience for Tarush, engaging people from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds, helping them appreciate what CP is all about. We think its an opportunity that doesn’t come by frequently, and one we’re very proud to have Tarush been a part of.
As parents, we can’t laud Suma’s efforts enough. Thank you very, very much.

Warm Regards
Nisheeth (Tarush’s Father)

It was a fantastic experience to meet and hear Dr Rao, a highly qualified and experienced lady in the field of children with disabilities. Although the discussion was primarily on cerebral palsy, she discussed a lot about the potential of brain. With her extreme awareness of the terms and technologies of the younger generation, she was able to engage the teens that came to attend her talk. From Einstein to time travel, to CP and polio, to pregnancies and awareness during labour and delivery – she covered a variety of topics. She shed light on the gaps that exist in data and research in CP cases in India and discussed the need of primary care and kits at all hospitals and delivery centres. She talked about symptoms, reasons, and management of CP to great detail. To me, the best part was her sense of humour and ease with which she kept the conversation going. Loved every bit of her talk. Thanks Suma for having her come and inviting us to attend the same.

Anjali Mahajan

We would like to thank Suma and the Sanmitra trust. Firstly for taking up this noble cause to the forefront and secondly for letting our children and us be a part of it too.

It has been a great learning experience for Tarush, both in terms of increased awareness on cerebral palsy and also on a personal development front.
Thanks for providing this brilliant opportunity to the children to be a part of this wonderful social venture and for your dedicated guidance. Kudos to the team of children for their hard work, enthusiasm and efforts and all the best for such future projects that act as a stepping stone to inculcating social values in the young generation.

Vandana (Tarush’s Mother)

This was a great opportunity for me as a volunteer to work towards such a noble cause. It was a good chance to learn about things I never knew of. Not only did all of us learn about the condition but had a chance to develop other qualities such as leadership, speaking skills and many more. Hats off to Suma aunty because, if it was not for her, this project wouldn’t have been possible.

Visits to the rehabilitation centre, presentations in various places and the learning experiences actually gave me a broader view of CP and this is something that I will continue working for in the future.

Sahana Suraj

Thanks Suma for making teenage kids a part of this social awareness project. The visit to the rehabilitation centre gave the kids a feel of the difficulties faced by the affected people and I am sure they will spread the message about prevention of CP.

I attended a lecture by Dr. Indumati Rao and got to know lot of things about CP. It was a good opportunity for me to learn as well.

Thank you

Padma Suraj (Mother of Sahana)

CP was something I had never heard of before and I was curious as to what is was. I heard it had something to do with brain damage but I never would have expected it to cause motor limitations to the body as well. It was my want to know what CP was that got me interested in joining this cause. When I thought about how many people did not know about the condition, it worried me as the first step to solving a problem is the realization that there is a problem; in other words, awareness. This is what motivated me to join- to spread awareness about an unknown condition so the problem can be prevented before it even occurs.

Janani

Researching about Cerebral Palsy and working with Sanmitra and Suma Aunty has been a memorable experience. I remember walking into this project with 9 other kids like me in August, having absolutely no idea what CP is. But now, I’m so glad I chose to be part of this endeavour! I think this journey has made me aware that not everyone is as privileged and blessed as I am. It’s also made be a more responsible citizen, and how it feels to give back to the community.

Mihika

Hello! I am Richa Bairathi, and our family’s journey with Sanmitra Trust began when my daughter Mihika Bairathi started doing community Service about Cerebral Palsy, under the guidance of Mrs. Suma Prasad.

When she started, our knowledge about Cerebral Palsy was limited to it being a ‘Mental Disease’. However, as she started to work on the project along with her team mates, we became aware that it is a condition and very preventable- the people who have CP need our empathy, not sympathy.
Mihika’s journey has been an eye-opener not only for her, but for all of us as well. It has made her more empathetic towards people less fortunate, and she is now more aware of her societal responsibilities. It gladdens my heart to see her evolving into a better human being.

Richa (Mihika’s Mom)

The CP campaign was an excellent opportunity for my daughter in multiple ways. In this age of speed and selfishness, the campaign helped the young teenage kids to become aware of the multiple dimensions of life, connect with different aspects of the society, inculcate the habit of thinking and working for someone else in the society. Working as a team and sharing tasks based on team member availabilities and abilities, keen research and presentation skills were the added advantages. The campaign has sowed the seed at this young age, which can help them to become responsible citizens with lot of empathy and service orientation in future. We are very thankful to Suma for providing this great opportunity to the children and mentoring them all the way through.

Janani (Gowri’s Mother)

We started this programme with literally no knowledge of CP. Now a couple of months later, I am able to give an entire presentation on CP.
This programme has benefited me in so many ways. First off it opened up a portal of knowledge for this little known condition. From rehabilitation visits to lectures from professionals, the amount of knowledge I grasped in these few months is incredible. It showed me the dark light of CP as well as how prevention is the best cure and how simple awareness can change a child’s life.
Second off it reaped in me a hardworking seed. I saw how only with hard work can anything be achieved. There was never a second of boredom and it always kept me on the edge. All our weekly sessions were bursting with energy. The work load also never allowed us to get CP out of our head. It inculcated in me moral as well as life values

Honestly, from the bottom of my heart I would like to thank Suma aunty for giving me such an opportunity, I would also like to thank the entire team for constantly keeping me encouraged to go on with this programme
Thank you,

Diya

“Along with my daughter, learning about CP has been eye opening. As I became aware of the basic facts, I was surprised to know that CP is very easily avoidable. Kudos to Suma for her focusand effort on bringing awareness to us all.”

Nagarani (Aparna’s Mom)

“With all our efforts, we’re on the right path to eradicate CP. If our efforts to bring awareness about CP continue, we really can make a big difference in our society. I feel very grateful to have had this opportunity and have thoroughly enjoyed my journey with the group. Thank you Suma Aunty!”

Aparna Kola

This program has not only given me an extraordinary chance to help those in need and give back to our society but I have also learnt other important things in life, such as team work, presentation skills and researching so much in detail about CP.

Aditi

The program has given a lot of exposure to our child and she has understood the true meaning behind helping the society and contributing a little part of her time to such a noble cause.

Ritu(Aditi’s Mom)

Dear Suma Many thanks for organizing the field trip and for guiding the children through their community work activity. It has been a great experience for the kids – giving them exposure to something that they usually do not encounter or think of. I think this experience will make them more sensitive and more aware individuals. Kudos to your enthusiasm and perseverance in herding the cats! Its not easy to get these teenage children to take interest in community activities and sustain it. You have a done a great job with that. I am sure this takes up a lot of your time and energy and I want to thank you for that.

Regards
Shilpa (Mom of Aditya Khelkar)

Dear Suma, I would like to thank you for taking this humble initiative. I am sure most parents and children will agree that it turned out to be more humbling experience for them than initially thought. I myself humbled to be part of the journey along with the kids. It is indeed been a great exposure for all the children and had an impact on their thought processes. I have learnt a lot not only from these children who participated but the children with this condition (and their parents). Surely a lot has been put forth by you as far as the planning and logistics is concerned. Kudos to you for making this happens for the children. At the end I do hope sincerely that this preventable condition is eliminated in our country.

Best Regards,
Bhawani (Mom of Revanth.)

Agree with Bhawani’s sentiments…overall a great experience to see the children getting involved in something like this … truly inspiring…. Suma thanks for this….

Deepak Bhootra
(Father of Prabhath Bhootra)

It is indeed a very good exposure for all the children and a great learning. Thanks Suma for initiating such a meaningful project and giving our kids an opportunity to serve the society. Looking forward to continued activities in this direction. Thanks again & appreciate all the effort you have been putting towards this & more.

Regards,
Malathi. (Mom of Aditya Shastry)

Hi Suma, Thanks a lot once again for all the efforts put in by you. Its been indeed great learning for our kids and exposure in an area which would be difficult to explore. The field trip and talk session with the gynac have been very enlightening for these young adults. Hope to have more such educative and learning projects being conducted under your guidance. Its such a wonderful initiative to help the society too. Thanks once again.

Best Regards,
Kusum Periwal (Mom of Pranay Periwal)

Suma, Thanks for your leadership and passion in driving this initiative. Was a great exposure and learning for Rashi ( and us too)

Thanks, Shaila
(Mom of Rashi Dembi)

Thanks a lot for guiding the kids through such an activity. Nitika enjoyed all the sessions and the preparation for the same. She totally LOVED the visit to the CP center and hopes to make it there again. It has opened not only her eyes but our eyes too to this subject. First of all, I would like to say that the whole experience of working and learning so much about Cerebral Palsy was great and I enjoyed it a lot. On the first day of the class, I admit I was a little confused as to what the teacher was talking about because I had not done a lot of research about the condition. But at the end I went home and looked up all the terms mentioned and had finally got an idea. On the second day, which was an interactive session with Dr. Indumati, we sat and listened to her speaking all about CP. She talked about what exactly is it, how it happens, and even some extra information. After this session I felt much more confident on the topic than I already was. Finally, on the third day, we actually went to a center where they help people with CP to develop basic skills like talking and walking. When we went there, I was excited as it was a new experience for me to really see people with CP. At the same time it was also educational as we learnt many different cases of how it happens. When I went home I reviewed on how the day went and remembered the time when we saw the children and heard the family members talk about how difficult their daily lives are, and that made me very sad. Overall, I thought it was an amazing experience and I had a great time!!

Isha Kumar