Today I had double breakfast, first my cornflakes, then Nancy brought me down Appam, a kind of pancake like bread made with fermented dough. I tend to view fermented dough with caution as
it is what Idli and Dosai are made of. Having said that I have now got used to idli which is a step in the right direction. She also brought me down kesari which is a sweet flavoured confection made with semolina, I've made it and taken it with me as a contribution on several occasions in Scotland. it's usually yellow when I make it and has cashews and sultanas in it... yummy!
In school today, Buvana and Santosh had fun lying out together and having an opportunity for some uninterrupted interaction which was good to watch, Santosh was by far the most enthusiastic but had to be deterred from landing large punches on her! (he has a fairly high muscle tone affected by his cerebral palsy so both accurate and delicate touches are very hard for him!) He was only trying to make friends we think!
Anand and Sanjay were in after break Anand is just progressing so well it's a joy to watch. his mum is finding it hard though as his dad has gone to work in Chennai for 4 months so she has to carry this not insubstantial child around on her own... its about 300 yards to school from the bus stop for example. Anand then had water play and had a ball both with and without bubbles. Sanjay had bubbles of another sort as he is susceptible to colds and his mum is not happy about water play even with warm water.
Joel and I had a look at some standing frames and other physio equipment to try to check what would be most useful to have in class. Their equipment is largely locally made, by a joiner and not very adjustable or portable. They are only just beginning to use velcro which we use a lot in school at home. there is a link to an Indian physio equpt site if you are interested in having a look.
indiamedico.com/occupational_therapy_equipments/positioning_equipments.php
I've not put a page link as it upset all my page viewing statistics so you will need to cut and paste I'm afraid...don't forget to put www. in front.
This is all equipment to help those who are unable to weight bear independently to do so and so develop their muscles, and strength and also access activities and the world around them from a more upright position. We have them in the UK, you can see some of our more up to date ones on this site.
smirthwaite.co.uk
The last picture is of Viknesh and his mum. I was passing when he pulled my arm and said 'Amma' and pointed to the lady with him, Amma means Mother, then he mimed camera and taking a pic, so how could I resist those melting eyes and big grin. That's the kind of communication which is clear to anyone isn't it. Viki is a residential pupil and his mum had popped in to see him so he was very happy. He's the wee boy who has begin to sing heads, shoulders, knees and toes (in Tamil of course) to me.
After school I went back to the diocesan press to see the final draft! It wasn't quite ready so I'll be going back again tomorrow. I then started to walk home and the heavens opened yet again! I gave up on exercise and went for a couple of cups of coffee in Arryas until the rain stopped then caught an auto home. After dinner I went out to the beauty parlour and had my eyebrows done by threading, it's amazing, they sort of twist a length of thread and put it over the hairs, tweak and its done... not as painful as tweezers or waxing, and very quick, I also got her to trim my hair a little as it is very wild. I've arranged for a photographer to come in tomorrow to school to take a whole staff and pupil photos, so all the staff are coming to school in their best saris and I need to attempt to match their level of beauty! School closes next Friday, and there is a holiday this Monday. I then have one week before I leave for home. Joel and I are going to go into school for 1 hour that week and work with my two youngest for an hour each day. Who says I'm not dedicated. I can't believe how quickly time is flying. I am longing to see everyone (well nearly everyone!) at home, but will also find it very hard to leave so many friends, both new and old, here.
After the beauty parlour, I took Raja's auto and went to see Rajan at his restaurant/cafe (restaurants are often called hotels here, no beds so don't know why. Rajan's is called, Ratna Restaurant after his wife. A picture of Ratna on her scooter follows.
Finally if anyone at Kinnoull is reading this, Cursillo 55 is on my prayer list this weekend, also there is Durham Cursillo 9 at Shepherd's Dene.
