Southern States
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Kerala
Mental Retardation Day observed
By Our Staff Reporter
KOZHIKODE, DEC. 8. The highlight of the observance of the National Mental Retardation Day here today was a seminar which sought to stress on the educational, vocational and social rights of the mentally challenged, and how efforts ought to be made to bring them into the mainstream of society. The physical and mental needs of these children, and the role of parents.
The programme was held at the Town Hall here today under the aegis of the Rahmania School for the Mentally Retarded in association with a number of welfare organisations. Mr.T.P.M.Saheer, MLA, inaugurated.
A vital point which was revealed at the seminar was how doctors and other fake therapists exploited the parents of these children through promises of curing the retardation. Such blatant misleading of parents was on the rise in the State of late. Expensive medicines and therapies were prescribed by such practitioners, speakers said.
Mental retardation could not be treated as it was a malady brought about by the arrested development of the brain. On the other hand, the performance levels of those affected could be improved through training.
An interesting point revealed was the finding of a scientific study of 40 mentally retarded persons in the State who were married. In 38 such cases, there was no mental retardation in the children through such marriages. The study conducted by Ms.Thresiakutty of the National Institute of Mental Health, Secunderabad was a pointer to the fact that marriage was not forbidden for the mentally retarded. On the reverse, it had to be encouraged.
The special talents of these children had to be exploited. While some had exceptional memory of figures, others had a flair for drawing, painting.
Dr.A.M.Kunhikoyamu (Head of Department, Psychiatry, Kozhikode Medical College), Dr.C.P.Aboobacker (Coordinator, Seshi CBR Project, Parappanangadi), Dr.K.Satyanathan (Psychiatrist, Suraksha Hospital), and others spoke.
A meeting of parents under the aegis of Parents Association of Intellectually Disabled, Kerala [PAID-Kerala], was held on the occasion. Students from 20 special schools from the six northern districts along with teachers and parents were present.
As many as 200 mentally challenged students participated in a painting competition. The students were divided into three categories - mild, moderate and severe. Prizes were given to all who participated besides first and second prizes which went to students of St.Camillus School, Kannur and Emmaus Billa, Wayanad.
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