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“People in my school are my only family now. I enjoy music and love to celebrate festivals”

Rajesh Maganbhai Harijan (32) has no family except for the residents of the Blind Welfare Council school in Dahod, Gujarat. The school took him into its fold when he was 14, visually impaired, with a speech disorder and with latent signs of muscular dystrophy.

Rajesh has become attuned to the progressive degeneration of his muscles. Dystrophy has affected his locomotion, but with his tenacious willpower he manages many aspects of his life independently and requires only minimal support. Earlier he used to play the Paralypmic version of softball and (the ball game) bocce. Radhika Singh, the school principal, informs us that every child is guided according to their abilities and Rajesh was directed towards vocational training. He learnt to operate the paper plate-making machine but now that he can no longer stand for long hours, he counts the plates, stacks and packs them and organises their dispatch.

When the younger children leave their toys scattered all over the floor, Rajesh is there to stow them away and tidy up the playroom. You can find him making the beds in the dormitory, folding dried clothes and linen, wiping the dining table, or cleaning the floor. The payment for his tasks is credited directly into his account.

Citing his likes and hobbies, Radhika says he enjoys music, owns a Bluetooth radio, and has stored his favourite songs on a pen drive. He loves to celebrate festivals, especially the Ganapati festival. He has a sweet tooth and also likes chicken and other non-veg dishes when they are available.

Even as Rajesh’s muscles continue to weaken he is sure to learn new ways to adapt with the constant support of his caring ‘family’.