by Amarnath Dinesh Roy (SAR News)
 
BANGALORE, Aug 21 : When Robin Thomas and Esther discovered their second child, Divya Celina, was born with Down's Syndrome, a genetic disorder that manifests in multiple malformation of the baby, their world came crashing down.

But a mother's love and affection knows no bounds. Undeterred by her daughter's disabling conditions, Esther decides to help her live a decent life. By putting her in a school. In a special school...and of her own.

"When everyone went to school, my child was left alone; and that's what inspired me to start a school, especially for Celina. It took seven precious years to cope with the fact that my daughter is a Down's Syndrome victim. It was then that I joined a course under the Karnataka Parents' Association of Mentally Retarded Children and underwent training to take care of mentally challenged children," says Esther.

Thus was born Divya Down's Development Trust-cum-school in 2003 at Viveknagar in the City. Esther's husband Robin Thomas, Hillary Francis and Sunita Painyuli have all been instrumental in keeping the institution up and running.
Says Esther: "Children with Down's Syndrome have a chromosomal aberration that causes physical growth problems and slight mental disability when compared to normal children. They need early intervention and care that include proper training to integrate them into the mainstream."

Divya's father Thomas says that once parents realise their child has Down's Syndrome, they must continue to socialise and take the child out. "Divya is a source of joy and happiness to our family," he adds.

One out of every 800 children is born with Down's Syndrome, which makes him or her physically and mentally weak, with a Mongoloid look, swollen face and small eyes. Such children were medically described as Mongoloid, but now they are known as Down's children. The condition takes its name after British doctor John Langdon Down who first described the syndrome in 1866.

Divya Down's Development Trust presently has 20 children. Parents, especially mothers, are involved in the entire teaching process. Vocational teachers provide skill training to older children in order to make them independent. They are taught to make wall hangings, decorative items, etc.

The school follows the syllabus provided by the National Institute for Mentally Handicapped.
"We provide special education to children at our school. It includes speech therapy, physiotherapy, dental care and skill training," says Esther.

Divya Trust depends largely on generous hearts for funds to run the school. "Providence has kept us going through. So many generous people come forward to help us. Except our van driver, all of us voluntarily serve the school," says Esther.

Divya Trust is the first exclusive centre for children with Down's Syndrome in Bangalore. It is located at 232, 4th Main, Viveknagar, Bangalore. Phone: 080-26484767 (landline), 9845423733 (mobile).