A REFLECTION BY SISTER SILBIYA M
When Udith Raghavendra, a 6-year-old boy with cerebral palsy and an intellectual disability, first came to us, he needed support with almost everything. He could not walk independently, had difficulty holding a pencil, could not clearly communicate his needs and depended on others for dressing, feeding and toileting.
Every day brought small challenges: stretching his legs, practicing with a walker, holding a thick pencil, tracing lines, identifying letters and numbers, and learning to communicate his needs. I still remember the joy on his face when he took a few steps with his walker. What seemed like a small step to others was a giant step for Udith.
Gradually, those few steps became 15 to 20 steps. His standing balance improved, his grip became stronger and he began recognizing letters and numbers. His attention span also increased.
One day, Udith proudly said, “Ma’am, I want water.”
Those simple words brought immense joy to all of us. He was finding his voice.
Today, Udith eats independently, indicates when he needs to use the toilet, plays with his friends and participates in school activities and assemblies. His confidence has grown along with his abilities.
I realized that our role was to walk beside him, celebrate his small victories and never allow his limitations to define his possibilities. For us, every step Udith takes is a reminder that when a child is surrounded by love, patience and belief, even small steps can lead toward a world of possibilities.