At a time when trees are being cut for road widening and metro rail construction, the residents of Malakpet and its nearby areas have something to cheer about. A new park — National Park for People with Special Needs — has come up at Nalgonda cross roads. Besides beautiful manicured lawns, a play area for children and an amphitheatre, the 27-day old park has different blocks where therapies are given to special children. The park is in partnership between GHMC and an NGO Ayesha Educational Society. While the therapies are administered by this NGO, the park is maintained by GHMC.
“This place was a dump yard earlier,” informs physiotherapist Sumeria Sahira Fatima. “Ayesha Rubina, the secretary and correspondent of our NGO who is also the corporator of Ahmed Nagar has been working to make this a reality,” she adds.
A therapy session
The foundation of the park is based on the concept of inclusiveness, where the special people mingle with everyone. Also, here different therapies for physio, speech and behaviour are given. A Visual department for which the equipment is awaited, will also be up soon. Walk around the park, and one can see a track. Sumeria states this wheel chair track has been created for people with disabilities. “While others walk and jog, those on the wheelchair can be brought and their wheelchairs are easy to manoeuvre. Even in the play area, children with special needs and other children can play together. This helps them to mingle together and start a communication; The levels of understanding and acceptance increases.”
Different therapies
Separate blocks have been allocated for different therapies; with ₹ 20 charged per therapy! “This is for a service and good cause.” The gait training equipment is also placed with a mirror in the centre. “Some special children who have muscular weakness sway while walking. We train them to look into the mirror and walk in a straight line,” she states. The amphitheatre is let out to schools to hold their functions free of cost. “This is also part of inclusiveness as we want children to come here and interact and know about the special children so that they don’t make fun of them and be empathetic towards them.”
Play area
However, she points out that some walkers who come during the evenings litter the park. “This park is a small step towards helping people with special needs. And, if we want to have an inclusive society, we need to keep the park clean so that it serves the purpose.”
