They have words for company

Art is abundant at Cheshire Home. The centre that cares for the differently abled is a storehouse of vibrant colours and moving poetry.

Sarasu and Jyothi Kumar, residents of Cheshire Home near Ambala Nagar, are recipients of literary awards in Malayalam. Sarasu, afflicted with polio, has been bedridden since the age of five. She is paralysed from neck down, except for the three fingers with which she writes.

A two-time winner of the award instituted by the State Committee for the Differently Abled, she bagged the prize this year for her work

Shehadoothumayi Jailukalil Rachel Benny (Rachel Benny’s Messages of Love in Prisons), the life story of a Malayali woman who preached the God’s word in prisons across the world, including in Siberia.

“Writing kept me company while I was alone,” says Sarasu. She finds solace in penning her thoughts, for she says it is one of the few things she can do without depending on others. She has published three books.

Though she acquired a laptop a few years ago, she still prefers the pen to the keyboard. “My pen writes better than me,” she says with a smile.

Mynah’s death

Jyothi Kumar, who is wheelchair-abled, received the award for his collection of ten poems.

The poems and artwork of Jyothi Kumar reflect his personal experiences.

“Once during a rainy night a mynah flew into our room here. The next morning we found it dead under a wheelchair. The incident disturbed me and later inspired me to write the poem Ente Chithrakili (My Mynah).”

He also derives inspiration from events in society, such as the recent murder of the LLB student in Perumbavoor.

While Sarasu has already published her books, Kumar is hoping that someone will approach him to publish his first collection of poetry, which he wants to name Dasapushpam .

“The facilities at Cheshire Home helped us gain this recognition. There are many who lack such facilities and remain sidelined,” he said.

Two differently abled residents of Cheshire Home beat back adversity with literary achievements