[Reader-list] A book engaging children in dialogue about disability

[Chintan]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Tulika Books <tulikabooks at gmail.com>
Date: Dec 1, 2009 4:42 PM
Subject: Tulika Books
To: chintangirishmodi at gmail.com

      'Why are you afraid to hold my
hand?'<http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TulikaBooks/~3/3X_tB5P2-Qw/why-are-you-afraid-to-hold-my-hand.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email>

Posted: 01 Dec 2009 02:14 AM PST
<http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A1tN3ZnaLng/SxTqG-UNCTI/AAAAAAAAAqI/zGG_NLiXoU0/s1600/Why+are+you+afraid+to+hold+my+hand.jpg>Over
twenty five years ago in a school run by the Spastics Society of India in
Mumbai was born a spark of an idea. As a  final year NID student I developed
my thesis on ‘Visual Aids and Materials for Children with Physical
Disabilities’. I was told by the teachers in the school that people react in
the strangest way to children who are differently abled.

An idea about this book was born on that day.  No one wants pity - least of
all children born with a disability  such as cerebral palsy. The lines in
verse and visuals in the book come simply and straight from the heart. Years
later, the excitement when the book was published by Tulika was matched only
by my passion to spread the questions, misconceptions, doubts, fears and
preconceived notions toward a child with disabilities.

It inspired me to do workshops in India, Singapore and in the U.S. where I
created bookmarks, postcards, banners, coffee mugs and fun T-shirts - all
spreading the message of the book. In the U.S., among teachers especially,
there was an air of excitement on seeing this book at various schools where
there was an author-illustrator’s book reading, public libraries or at book
stores. Inclusion and mainstreaming the differently abled child is the norm
in the U.S, so most of the teachers and parents felt delighted to have a
book such as *Why Are You Afraid to Hold My
Hand?*<http://www.tulikabooks.com/inverse1.htm#why>to bring about
awareness, raise questions and create a dialogue among
children who bring with them a myriad of experiences; from children of
different walks of life and at different levels of ability.

In fact, in Singapore, there was a proposal to develop a book series
addressing Cancer and AIDS. In India, the issue of stigma is not an uncommon
sentiment. At Goodbooks, through Tulika’s initiative, a fun workshop was
organized where children were encouraged to think out of the box. It was
good to have a key representative from Tulika, Sandhya Rao, interacting with
the children on that occasion.* The Hindu* newspaper carried a positive
write-up about this unique event. Children loved getting bookmarks and the
bright yellow T-shirts as a means of communicating this very important
message. These children and others who read this special book are the true
ambassadors for championing a worthy cause.

Usually verse brings mixed emotions but in this case, less is more. The
visual lines have a childlike simplicity and the verses speak eloquently
raising an animated discussion of candid responses to the differently abled
child’s needs. Commonly, this is born out of ignorance among children who
re-examined their own feelings and preconceived notions about disabilities.

In Chennai, India, at The School founded by the J.Krishnamurti Foundation,
the participation among children was heartwarming. Children narrated their
own experiences honestly and openly. In different international schools,
this sensitive little book has already struck a chord in all those who read
it. Overall, this an unforgettable  journey of compassion and hope for the
disabled child.
* *
*- Sheila Dhir, Author*