Every child has the right to participate, grow, live and be protected from others. Being given a chance is essential for these rights to be fulfilled in a child. In India there are very few opportunities and prospects for differently abled children. SCAD gives hope, dignity and self respect to differently abled children in Tamil Nadu.

A golden opportunity was given by SCAD to 5 physically challenged students to take part in the State Level Sports Meet for the physically challenged. The sports meet was held at Chennai. SCAD staff and Sports Coordinator took 5 children to Chennai by train to compete in the State Competitions. For a few of these children, who come from low income families, this was the first time they had travelled on a train and the first time they had ever been to Chennai.

They took part in the following track events:

100 m running race, 200 m running race, 100 m crutches walk, 100 m crutches with caliper running, 100 m wheel chair, 50 m walking and 400 m tricycle race.

Field events such as Shot-put, basket ball throw, wheel chair with shot put, cricket ball throw; long jump and standing jump were also conducted.

Categories were from below 10 years of age, 11 – 14 years, 15-18 years and above 19, for lower limb and upper limb.

The differently abled children, who participated in the Sports Meet representing SCAD, won six prizes, of four gold medals as the first prize and 2 bronze medals as the third prize.

Names of the winners and the events:

1. Sivaperumal, of Athimarapatti, Tuticorin district, category 14-16 years, won the first prize in 100 m running.
2. The same boy won the first prize in the 200 m running race, as well.
3. Mohan Antony, of Singampaarai School, Tirunelveli district, category 14-16 years, won the third prize in 100 m running race.
4. The same boy won the third place in the 200 m running race, too.
5. Michael Pastin, Singamparai School, Tirunelveli district, below 14 years category, won the first prize in 100 m walking.
6. Ponraj, of Tirunelveli block, above 19 years category, won the first prize in 100 m running race.

The next day, the children were taken to Marina beach, MGR Memorial, Anna Memorial, Cricket Stadium at Chepauk and to the Nehru Foot ball stadium.

It was a dream come true for these children and they came back beaming with pride. The children would have otherwise never have had the opportunity to feel proud of something they had achieved.

Michael Pastin’s experiences of the weekend:

I am P. Michael Pastin, aged 15, studying in class X at St. Paul’s Higher Secondary School in Singamparai, Tirunelveli District. I am very much interested in Sports. Unfortunately, I did not get any opportunities to participate in any of the sports competition. But, it was a fortune that I came to know that SCAD has come forward to give us an opportunity. It was Mr. Malligaraj, Mr. Velmurugan and Mrs. Dhanalakshmi who assisted us in this. They took us to the “Sports Meet for the Differently abled” that was held on 26 February 2012, at Chennai. This seemed to be a golden opportunity for us. There were different sports competitions and we were very excited.

I took part in the 50 mts. walking race, in which I won the first prizes. I was really gifted for this. I’ve been to Chennai before, but this time Chennai seemed all the more new to me. We visited many places in Chennai, out of which Marina beach was the one I liked the most.  We were moved to see the Anna Memorial and the MGR Memorial, there. We had very good food in Chennai. Malligaraj sir and Stalin sir bought us food.

I have missed many opportunities just because I am physically challenged. Nobody came forward to give us a chance. But SCAD had the trust on us and gave us this wonderful opportunity, which made me win the first place.I made use of the opportunity given.

I’ve never participated in any such sports meet, before. I’ve never visited Nehru stadium and Chidambaram stadium, earlier. SCAD made these dreams come true, for us. Further, I request you to please take us for any such sports competitions conducted, hereafter. Thanking you for your kind support!