“Disability is a matter of perception. If you can do just one thing well, you're needed by someone,” said ace tennis player Martina Navaratilova. This was not just an afterthought from the tennis player but born out of a deep reflection on the question of disability.
Defying the fact that they are “disabled,” students of Anbagam Special School, Madurai, brought laurels to their school by winning gold, silver and bronze medals at the State level Special Olympics held in Chennai recently. During the State level event, 18 students of Anbagam participated and won 13 gold medals, seven silver medals and six bronze medals. The effort of the students does prove the fact that if given an opportunity, with a little bit of encouragement, the differently abled students can excel in all events, said Rev. Sr. Selvy, secretary and headmistress, Anbagam School.
In Roller Skating, R. Gopal bagged the silver medal in 100 metres and the bronze in 300 metres. P. Velmurugan, bagged the gold medal in 100 metres and the silver medal in 300 metres. Both of them qualified to participate in the national event to be held at Hyderabad.
In Aquatics, C. Srinivasan bagged four gold medals. He also later participated in the Special Olympics aquatics event held at Mumbai and won the gold medal in 100 metres freestyle and the 4x100 metres freestyle relay, and bagged the silver in 50 metres freestyle.
R. Kokila bagged the gold in 100 metres sprint and K. Krishnamoorthy won the bronze in 400 and 800 metres running event.
During a felicitation function for the differently abled held recently, Madurai District Disabled Rehabilitation Officer K.N. Kanagaraj honoured the students. He encouraged children to participate and prove that disability could be overcome with determination and grit.
The Special Olympics is an effort to encourage the physically and mentally impaired children, men and women, and offer them coaching in various sports to enable them to participate in the district, State, National and international sports championships.
