Kohima lights up blue for autism awareness
Alice Yhoshu
KOHIMA, APRIL 2
One of the busiest roads in the state capital, the PR Hill Junction, witnessed a heartwarming happening this morning when young students and the authorities of Jo Foundation Inclusive School, Kohima took to the streets an awareness programme marking the World Autism Awareness Day 2016, calling for ‘Respect, Acceptance & Inclusion’ of the autistic community in the society.
Holding up placards that said, ‘Love me, I am Worth it’, ‘Autism cannot be caught like a cold’, ‘Its OK to be Different’ and ‘Disability is NOT a Curse’ etc., children as young as 5 years of age braved the hustle and bustle of the busy street with their campaign for the cause of persons with autism, who are more often than less excluded from the rest of the society, mostly due to ignorance.
“Autism is a part of humanity and it is the responsibility of the society to accept them as they are, without prejudice or preconditions,” asserted Rovilatuo Mor, the Deputy Commissioner of Kohima.
He underscored the need for the people to step forward and embrace persons with autism without reservations, extend love and affection, and help them develop their potentialities.
“Autism is not an abnormal illness,” says Vincent Belho, a parent of a child with autism, speaking during the awareness programme. He cited that the most brilliant people in human history like Albert Einstein, Mozart, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and Michaelangelo were also autistic.
Sharing his experiences and challenges as the parent of a special child, Belho explained that it is important to know early diagnosis and medical intervention enhances the chances for autistic children to improve their condition.
“If your child is non-responsive to sounds at 12 months of age, or displays a peculiar habit, a repetitive action, seek the help of experts… He or she might have autism,” he advised parents. He said early diagnosis and treatment has helped his child immensely, who now hardly shows any trace of autism.
State Commissioner of Disabilities, Dr. Atha Vizol, in his brief address on the occasion, talked about the need to do away with the negative social mindset that persons with disabilities (PWDs) should be confined in their homes and not be exposed to the society. “It is wrong to feel ashamed of children who have disabilities,” the official stated.
He highlighted that as per the 2011 Census, there are nearly 30,000 persons with disabilities in Nagaland, but out of these, less than 10,000 have so far availed disability certificates from the medical department. He informed that any person with any disability should be assisted to approach the nearest government medical centre and get assessed by an authorized doctor so as to obtain disability certificate and avail government facilities meant for them. Pointing out that PWDs, like any other children, are entitled to education, Dr. Atha told parents to approach the authorities, including him, if at any point of time admission to an educational institution is denied to any PWD.
He acknowledged that different organizations are increasingly becoming aware of autism, more so, because effected parents have taken the lead role in heading NGOs and starting schools to cater to the differently abled. He lauded Jo Foundation for being one such organization in bearing the torch for children with disabilities.
City Church Kohima pastor, Kedo Peseyie offered prayers for the community, and later, the students of Jo Foundation Inclusive School also performed songs and choreography during the programme.
Meanwhile, the business community in Kohima, from the town area up to BOC area, put up blue lights in their respective shops this evening as a mark of solidarity towards the cause of the autistic community, under the initiative of the Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
Every year, on World Autism Awareness Day, an international campaign ‘Light It Up Blue’ is carried out where iconic landmarks, skyscrapers, schools, businesses and homes across the world unite by shining bright blue lights in honor of the millions of individuals and families affected by autism. The blue lights depict spreading of awareness and understanding of autism, honouring the unique talents and skills of people with autism, and brings attention to the needs of all people with autism.
