Kathmandu:

Don’t label us disabled for we can also do something,” said Rameshwor KC, who has cerebral palsy, summoning all his strength.

And he, with other physically and mentally challenged children (numbering over a hundred), proved just this by participating in the sports competition organised for the differently-abled children at the Jawalakhel ground recently.

The competition was jointly organised by Lalitpur District Children Welfare Committee (LDCWC) and Patan Community-based Rehabilitation organisation (PCBR) on the occasion of 15th World Disabled Day. Differently-abled children from various organisations in and around the Capital who are mentally-challenged, who have cerebral palsy, who are visually- and hearing-impaired participated in the event, which has been organised annually for the last four years.

“Disabled children are generally neglected but they have a right to play and enjoy like the other children,” said Rajendra Dangol, facilitator of PCBR. “So this competition offers a platform for them to come out and interact with other children.”

The events included softball throwing and 50 metres and 100 metres dash.

“We all are very excited about the event,” said another enthusiastic participant, Suprabha Aryal, who hails from Hetauda.

She is visually-impaired but she said her confidence has been bolstered by these kinds of events.

“If visually-impaired children can participate in these events like any other children, there exists no difference between us,” she added.

Suprabha also called for such events to be organised regularly to let the other children like her add some amount of happiness in life.

Coordinator of PCBR Indira Joshi said, “Old concepts regarding disabled children are evaporating, thanks to these kinds of events. These children can prove to their parents that they need not always stagnate at home.”

Joshi also added that the funds meant for organisations working for such children are not properly channelised, urging for that something be done about this so that children in need get the needed help.

Interestingly enough differently-abled children from affluent families suffer more than those from poor families, said PCBR chairperson Surendra Shakya. “Poor people have no qualms in exposing their children to the outside world, however, rich people do.” Founding member of LDCWC, Sita Sharma, said, “We are just trying to make these children more healthy and active through such sports competitions.”

Parents, too, are happy and satisfied.

One of children Aman Bajracharya’s mother Hira Devi said her son can now eat and write by himself.

Similarly, Chinni Shobha Tamrakar, grandmother of Vidya Tamrakar, said with a smile that her granddaughter can now do her some of her work herself.

“If other events like drawing competition, poem recitations and other extra-curricular activities are organised, then not only physical, but intellectual development is also possible,” said runner-up in soft ball throwing competition, Prakriti Sharma.

Said Shova Pradhan of the Self-help Group for Cerebral Palsy, “Participating in such events give our children much happiness and their excitement knows no bounds when they are able to display their talents.”