This one of a kind café in Mumbai provides employment opportunities to adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities and is full of yummy snacks. Read trustee Ashaita Mahajan’s interview for full story.
In the last few years, a handful of restaurants and eateries have opened across India that are creating opportunities for the differently abled. Café Arpan is the latest addition. Could you tell us how Café Arpan was envisaged and what is its mission?
Cafe Arpan is the second supported…
Cancer stigmas are often barriers for seeking diagnosis, as well as treatment and rehabilitation. Shubha Maudgal and Susmitra Mitra of Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA), Mumbai give us an insight into the current taboos surrounding cancer and the challenges such stigmas pose for patients and society. 1. What does cancer stigma entail? There are two kinds of stigma involved with cancer. One is Self which is in the mind of patients themselves, stemming from guilt or shame. The other is…
I Support Foundation tries to make cafes and restaurant visits a hurdle-free experience for families of persons with disabilities. We speak to co-founder Juhi Ramani on how they are going about it. This initiative is to create awareness and provide hassle free service to persons with disabilities. We, the I Support Foundation (NGO), started this initiative for achieving universal accessibility that will enable persons with disabilities to gain access for equal opportunity and live independently…
Chinnappa Mathanda, a parent of a child with special needs and one of the people behind aSpecialWorld talks to PatientsEngage on the amazing experience of youth on the autism spectrum riding the waves in Chennai. Don't miss the videos below 1. Tell us how and why you thought of getting kids with autism to go surfing I came across some really exciting videos of children with special needs, not just autistic children, learning surfing in the US. This sowed the idea in our minds. 2. How did you go…
"Hippocratic: 18 Experiments in Gently Shaking the World" is a documentary movie that chronicles the journey of Dr M. R. Rajagopal, founder chairman of Pallium India and his initiation into the field of Palliative Care. A film synopsis and review by Dr. Shital Raval. Released in 2017, the movie is based on 18 experiments or quotes by Mahatma Gandhi who happens to be his inspiration and guide. Founder chairman of Pallium India, Padma Shri award winner and lovingly called the “father of…
Children who are out of town patients often miss school for months on end. This affects the child socially and psychologically and often makes reintegration back to school difficult. Dr. Shital Raval visits Canshala which helps bridge that gap by providing continuity of education and normalcy to a child’s life. Set in a Municipal Marathi school in Parel, Canshala is a school for children with cancer, run in collaboration with the Mumbai MCGM. In contrast to the drab exterior, Canshala is a…
Yuna Angell, who has schizophrenia, advocates it is important to be empathic and sensitive to people living with mental illness and advises how best to communicate with them. Although I have schizophrenia and depression, it still does make me feel awkward when people tell me they have mental illness. I’m at a loss as to what to respond afterwards sometimes. For me, I’ll just say, “Me too. I have schizophrenia and depression. How are you coping with your medication or counselling sessions?” I…
Minu Budhia and daughter Preeyam Budhia, co-founders of Café ICanFlyy in Kolkata, a café which employs individuals with disabilities and empowers them to chart out their course in life, talk about the vision behind setting up this one-of-a-kind café in the country. Tell us about Cafe ICanFlyy. How did it take shape? Cosy, quirky, and certainly a labour of love, Cafe ICanFlyy is a 50-seater cafe run by individuals with special needs. Whether you’re making a quick stop for a cuppa, a short…
Understanding neglect, disrespect and other forms of Elder Abuse with Sonali Sharma, Communications Director, Helpage India and how to protect yourself against abuse. Spotlight on the programmes organised for Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15. ‘While the taboo topic of elder abuse has started to gain visibility across the world, it remains one of the least investigated types of violence in national surveys, and one of the least addressed in national action plans’ : How much would you agree…
