Special Children mark a Special Achievement!

February 16, 2009: The children did it! This is about a struggle well fought, a will which never died, and an achievement which did the country proud. The Idaho city in USA witnessed its largest multi-day sporting event last week. More than 2,500 athletes from 97 countries across the world participated in the Ninth World Winter Games held there from February 7-13. Of the 75 Indians and 7 Delhiites representing the country in the Games which are held every 4 years, 2 were Deepalaya's faces. These bright faces, Brijesh and Reena, lit up the entire country by bagging the Silver and Bronze medals in the Snow Boarding and Alpine Skiing events respectively.These special children from Deepalaya's Sanjay Colony location participated in the Special Olympics of the World Winter Games. The Special Olympics provide a global stage for special athletes to showcase their talents and invite them to join a world of welcome a world of inclusion and mutual respect, without bias or prejudice.

Brijesh at the Special Torch Rally
Brijesh and Reena participated in the Special Olympics rally held in New Delhi last month. In fact, Brijesh became the first child to receive the Special Torch from brand ambassador and actor Akshay Kumar as he ran part of distance with other special athletes and representatives of Special Olympics. This came after passing through a grueling competition followed by a rigorous session in Shimla, where these children trained for polishing their skills.

Reena-Alpine Skiing	Brijesh “Snow Boarding

Brijesh is the youngest son of Triloki Sah, a tea-stall-owner. He has been in Deepalaya since the time he was 8 years old. In 2004, he was mainstreamed at Deepalaya School, Sanjay Colony in grade 1 and has been doing well since then. This tall boy currently studies in grade 6 here. Reena on the other hand, is the eldest daughter of Ram Gati, a labor in Okhla Industrial Area. She is currently a grade 8 student of class 8th at Government School, Govindpuri Extension. Reena came to Deepalaya when she was 6 and was mainstreamed to the Government School in 2002. Her brother Mukesh too is hearing impaired, who is taking speech therapy and special education from Deepalaya disability unit. Their parents have shown a commendable courage and support in bringing up two special children. Deepalaya Special Unit facilitates the growth of its children in every possible way.Deepalaya also partnered with Special Olympics Bharat to support and uplift these children. The special children at Deepalaya train under the Coach appointed by Special Olympics Bharat twice a week in different sports activities like bocce, athletics, and roller skating.Both of the children have been participating and winning in different activities of Special Olympics Bharat since last five years. Brijesh won silver, gold and bronze medals in roller skating events for three consecutive years at the Delhi State Games in 2006, 07 and 08. Reena too, is the one-time-gold and two-time-silver winner at these games. Deepalaya is just waiting to welcome the winners come back and help prepare some more of them.'