admin, Author at - Page 2 of 10

Author Archives: admin

Your Biggest Baby Worries: Newborn Care Week 2018

Your Biggest Baby Worries: Newborn Care Week 2018

Coming into the world is a big and scary adventure for babies. Right after birth, they start communicating and giving little signals when they are tired, hungry or confused. It’s the job of a parent to comprehend these signs and make the world a welcoming place for their little ones.

Infants go through many changes in life to get used to the outside world after spending nine comfortable months in a protected womb! This adjustment almost always goes well, but there are certain warning signs you should watch out for.

When it comes to newborn development, what all should a parent be concerned about?

Seeing, Hearing and Communicating

Your child:

Isn’t responding to bright lights or can’t focus their eyes on something. Babies start to get attracted to shiny lights, primary colours, stripes, dots and patterns that really captivate their attention.

Isn’t watching your face or looking you in the eye. Since the human face is the first object they recognize, babies begin to remember particular faces and other objects during the first three months.

Isn’t hearing things – like startling sounds. Newborns can hear, and have been hearing noises from well before they were born. So, it can be worrying if they suddenly stop responding to it.

Behaviour and Movement

Your child:

  • Isn’t feeding well. Some warning signs related to feeding and digestion are harder to identify than behavioral changes or physical warning signs. The signs can range from having a poor appetite to sucking, spitting or vomiting problems.
  • Isn’t sleeping well. Healthy sleep is vital, especially in babies. Inadequate or low-quality naps will threaten healthy development and seriously hamper growth.
  • Isn’t moving their arms or legs. Infants in their first eight weeks have no control over their movements, they don’t know how to make each part of their body move voluntarily. They only start to work out how to lift their heads when lying on the tummy, and kick their legs by about eight weeks.

Children grow and develop at different speeds. If you’re worried that your child’s development isn’t ‘normal’, it might help you to know that the definition of ‘normal’ varies a lot. However, if you still feel that something’s not right, see your family health doctor to be sure.

Newborn Care Week is celebrated every year in India from 15-21 November, aimed at raising awareness about the importance of newborn care for child survival and development. Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan actively participates in promoting infant health development and ensuring that children with special needs are taken care of professionally. Our hope is to better the state of infant and child mortality in India.

The Perfect Bhai Dooj Gift for Your Sibling

The Perfect Bhai Dooj Gift for Your Sibling

The legendary English novelist Jane Austen once said, “What strange creatures brothers are!”.

Brothers might surprise us with the most thoughtful present or shock us with the weirdest gift of all time, yet they hold a very special place in our hearts that can never be replaced.

Bhai Dooj is the day to celebrate brothers and sisters – partners in crime whose bond grows stronger with each fight, and there’s no better way to thank this permanent friend of ours than by giving them a gift as special as them. Bhai Dooj gives us all an opportunity to hunt for the ultimate gift that our siblings will cherish for life.

This festive season, going eco-friendly with your gifts is the best call. Thankfully, we have already made gift-shopping easy and less strenuous by making hand-crafted and meaningful gifts available just a click away on our website. Fashioned with love, all the items made in our Swayam training workshops are sure to win your siblings’ heart.

Check out a few gifting options for every kind of sibling:

For the one with a sweet tooth:

Chocolate Box – Set Of 5

https://www.mbcnschool.org/product/4-window-beads-chocolate-box-set-of-3/

https://www.mbcnschool.org/product/chocolate-box-set-of-5/

https://www.mbcnschool.org/product/round-dry-fruit-box-set-of-10/

 

Fill these chocolate boxes with the most exquisite truffle bites and turn them into perfect gifts for your foodie sibling.

 

For the ‘perpetually broke’ one:

Cash Box 2 – Set Of 5

 

https://www.mbcnschool.org/product/cash-box-set-of-5/

https://www.mbcnschool.org/product/folded-shagun-envelope-set-of-40/

 

Is your sibling a college student frequently running out of cash, always wooing you to empty your wallet for them? Bail them out and become their favourite by giving them some much-needed allowance in this fancy, eye-catching cash envelope.

 

For the family wordsmith:

Small Diary (Gota) - Set of 15

 

https://www.mbcnschool.org/product/diary-set-of-10/

https://www.mbcnschool.org/product/diary-set-pack-of-3/

https://www.mbcnschool.org/product/ethnic-designer-diary-set-of-4/

https://www.mbcnschool.org/product/office-kit/

 

If your sibling keeps a diary, or writes anecdotal tales, be an encouraging kin and show your support by gifting them these beautiful and useful diaries.

To look for more gifts, you can simply visit the Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan official website. All our products are hand-made by our special children, primarily from wood and other biodegradable raw materials, and are sure to light up your festivals.

Visit: http://www.mbcnschool.org/shop/

My Prayer Box: Your Go-to Prayer Box, This Diwali

My Prayer Box: Your Go-to Prayer Box, This Diwali

Diwali, the most awaited festival of them all, has drenched the entire country in a festive mood. So, giddy up and get ready to add a pinch of enthusiasm to your otherwise monotonous life.

No matter where you look, it’s tough to not be surrounded by oodles of infectious laughter and joy during these days. Houses get a facelift, streets get lit up and markets get flooded with various housewarming gifts and puja items. Like all Indian festivals, Diwali is incomplete without typical festive shenanigans like shopping, exchanging gifts, decorating homes and most importantly, performing a handful holy rituals.

Pooja Samagri is one of the most crucial elements in festive rituals. Keeping that in mind, the specially abled children of Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan have handcrafted a beautiful Prayer Box that contains 23 pooja items. Using their abilities to show the world that they are worthy and useful, these talented students are proud to come up with the incredible ‘My Prayer Box’. Made with intense care in tune with international quality standards, ‘My Prayer Box’ is your go-to pooja samagri box for the festive season. It is a huge hit in Indian households, and is a harbinger of blessings and peace.

This Diwali, these handmade wooden prayer boxes can prove to be the best housewarming gifts for your friends and family. Besides, you can get it for yourself as well – and have your own pooja box to keep your oil lamps, essence sticks and other pooja samagri safe. Take a look at what this box of happiness has to offer:

At the core of products like these is Swayam’s desire to give our specially abled children a shot at earning their own livelihood. By applying the skills they acquire through their hard work and dedication at Swayam, the vocational training workshop at MBCN, these students create products every day. It is success stories like these that motivate us to come up with such trainings. As the wise have said, “There is a plan and a purpose, a value to every life, no matter what its location, age, gender or disability”.

If you find it difficult to buy puja samagri despite your busy schedule, you can easily find this pooja samagri box on our website. Purchasing it will not only give you joy, it will also motivate these students to be self-sufficient and financially independent. Buy Now!

Vaakya: Giving ‘voice’ to the differently abled

Vaakya: Giving ‘voice’ to the differently abled

Smartphones, laptops, and tablets have revolutionized mobile technology and the way we communicate with each other. The mobile app market is flourishing due to the increased usage of smartphones. New apps roll out every day to make our lives easier and entertaining.

 

Everyone faces hardships and difficulties at some point, but for people with disabilities, barriers can be frequent and with a greater impact. Communication is one of the many barriers that can make it extremely difficult or even impossible for specially abled people to function. It is experienced by people who have disabilities that affect hearing, speaking, reading, writing and understanding different ways to communicate externally.

Use Vaakya ApplicationVaakya App Demo

The technology we use on a daily basis can be used to help the lives of disabled people. Assistive technology is often thought of as wheelchairs and hearing aids, but it’s actually an umbrella term that covers everything from pencil grips to latest technology tablets.

Vaakya ApplicationUse Vaakya App

To help people with severe communication problems, we have designed a picture-based augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) app. Vaakya that assists people with speech impairments. This app can be utilized during rehabilitation and conventional speech therapies. For individuals who are unable to read and communicate, the app works as a useful tool as it relies on pictures (for visuals) and audio instead of text. With the app, one can create a combination of pictures and audios related to his/her needs, to help them communicate effectively. For educators, therapists and guardians, multiple user accounts can be created that will contain pictures and audios, the combination of which helps derive a seamless expression.

Vaakya is available, free of cost, on Google Play Store.

Download it here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mbcnschool.org

Nothing Is Impossible: Five Heroes Who Beat All Odds – MBCN

Nothing Is Impossible: Five Heroes Who Beat All Odds – MBCN

The journey of life is not an easy one. At certain times during this journey, you might be brutally bombarded with challenges that leave you thoroughly discouraged. This shouldn’t stop you from dreaming big.

A group of permanent movement disorders that appear in early childhood, cerebral palsy is one such challenge. The symptoms include poor coordination, stiff muscles, weak muscles and tremors, depending on the severity of the case. Albeit a deadly disorder, CP can be overcome with a little support and a lot of courage.

Every year, World Cerebral Palsy Day is observed globally to ensure that children and adults with CP have the same rights, access and opportunities as anyone else in our society. Here’s a list of people with cerebral palsy who have inspired many with their bravery and vision.

 

Bonner Paddock

Bonner Paddock

Bonner Paddock was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of 11. In 2008, he became the first person with CP to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro unassisted. In 2012, he broke yet another record, becoming the first person with CP to complete the Ironman Triathlon. He is also the founder and chairperson of the OM Foundation, which raises money to build early-learning centers that provide therapies for children with disabilities. A true inspiration, indeed!

 

Christy Brown

Christy Brown

Christy Brown was an Irish painter, poet and author born with a severe case of cerebral palsy. Incapable of any movement, he learned to speak, read, and write with the help of his mother. He is most famous for his autobiography – My Left Foot. In 1970, Christy published another best-selling autobiographical novel, Down All the Days. People like him make us realise that disease is just a word.

 

Geri Jewell

Geri Jewell

Geri Jewell is an American actress, author and motivational speaker. Defying the odds,  she received national recognition for being the first person with cerebral palsy to be cast in a prime-time television series. In 2011, she published her autobiography titled I’m Walking as Straight as I Can. The book spoke about her experience in Hollywood.

 

Ayush Chamoli

Ayush Chamoli

Ayush Chamoli is an #MBCN student with multiple disorders, including cerebral palsy. A vivacious boy, he has faced each obstacle with admirable courage. Despite the odds, he and his family never gave up. Rather, he used the hardships and setbacks to motivate him to try harder. Kids like him are an inspiration for many!

 

Jatin Kanojia

Jatin Kanojia

Jatin Kanojia is a 25-year-old boy from Ghazipur with cerebral palsy, but he hasn’t let his disability define him. Jatin worked hard as a child, completed his education and joined the Wave Group in 2016 as a computer operator. Despite the odds working against him, Jatin has remained focused towards building a career.

These people are an inspiration for everyone as they made us believe that a disease cannot stop you from achieving your goals. They overcame near-impossible obstacles to show us just how much can be accomplished despite limitations.

Also Read: Indian celebrities who didn’t let their disability get the better of them!

 

Full Inclusion with Sign Language – International Week of the Deaf

Full Inclusion with Sign Language – International Week of the Deaf

“Nothing about us, without us!”

 

To quote author James Charlton, the slogan above “expresses the conviction of people with disabilities that they know what is best for them.” When working with deaf communities or any differently-abled community for that matter, the value of representation must be considered and integrated.

 

The international week of the deaf is an initiative of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), and it promotes the awareness of human rights and sign language by hosting a variety of events around the globe. Every year, the last week of September witnesses highly concentrated global advocacy to raise awareness about the deaf community on different levels.

 

The students and teachers at Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan celebrate this week with great enthusiasm. Under the watchful eye of our teachers, students participate in various programs and events that require them to show their unique talents and express their views. All the events are designed in ways that ensure complete inclusion of the deaf community.

 

This year, to celebrate and empower the hearing impaired, our talented students wrote and performed skits on various social issues like gender discrimination, child abuse and right for education.

 

 

The skits above, performed using sign language, convey powerful messages and strike the right chords. Sign language is an essential tool of communication for tens of thousands of deaf people across the world. But in most cases, limitations in the use of this language make the children and adults who are hearing impaired deprived of their right to communicate with others, and therefore, from enjoying many other rights.

 

Language should be all-inclusive; learning sign language and using it more often can help ensure that. During this International Week of the Deaf, it is important to remember that without the inclusion of the deaf community, we are not only being unfair to our own brethren, but also missing out on their valuable contribution to society.

Why is it important to create an inclusive society with Sign Language?

Why is it important to create an inclusive society with Sign Language?

India is the 7th largest country in the world. Out of the 1.3 billion people that live here, 18 million are hearing impaired. That’s 1% of our entire population. When such a huge number of the Indian population suffers from hearing impairment, isn’t it our duty to build an inclusive society where everyone can live peacefully?

The hearing impaired miss out on a lot of things they actually deserve, and that isn’t right. Someone’s physical disability should not stand in the way of their betterment and improvement.

The inclusion of sign language should start at the very beginning of social interaction – schools. Schools are the one of the first platforms of social engagement children experience. At a young age, children can learn sign language very quickly. This will help them speak ‘without’ speaking, which might prove immensely beneficial for children who aren’t very comfortable verbalising what they are going through. Likewise, learning sign language can teach kids to be empathetic and grasp certain emotions better.

Sign Language

Following are some ways to incorporate sign language in our teaching methods:

  • Signing letters as you teach them.
  • Signing songs that are traditionally sung in the classroom.
  • Signing words used during snack time.
  • Signing numbers, months, days, pledges, names and feelings.

Most commonly used by the hearing impaired, sign language can work wonders for many others, including those who face trouble speaking.

sign language

Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan is a school for special children that creates a warm, nurturing environment for students, giving them plenty of scope to excel in academics, communication, social skills, basic application sciences and self-care skills. Our teaching programmes have been developed after careful consideration of our students’ special needs, and our teachers are always committed to making their lives easier.

To learn basic sign language, click here!

A fit and active individual makes a society healthier, and a nation stronger!

A fit and active individual makes a society healthier, and a nation stronger!

The benefits associated with regular physical exercise are innumerable. Not only does it keep one in shape, it also improves the functioning of the brain and builds immunity against several diseases. It is a proven fact that children, when exposed to a variety of sports early in their lives, develop better self-esteem, grasp social skills and communicate new ideas effectively. They are also likely to excel academically, as all the physical work improves blood circulation in the body, including the brain.

With our lives getting busier by the day, we are less likely to devote time to our physical well-being. This is a major cause of obesity and several other related diseases in India. ‘Khelo India’ is a government initiative to restore the forgotten culture of sports in our country at the grassroot level. It envisions to implement a component of physical fitness across all schools. Primarily targeting children, women and the specially-abled community, Khelo India National Fitness Assessment Programme is further divided into 12 verticals. It covers everything from field and coaching development to supporting national, regional and state sports academics.

We, at MBCN, actively work towards including some form of physical exercise or activity in the daily routine of our students. A few months back, our special children gladly accepted the #HumFitTohIndiaFit challenge introduced by Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.

Take a look at how our children pushed their limits and set an example for everyone:

We hope to inspire people to take up this challenge and work towards making themselves fitter and healthier.

In light of National Sports Day observed on August 29 in India, let’s take a pledge to exercise every day, and learn at least one sport. With India’s diverse and rich heritage in sports and athletics, we as Indians should treasure the values our ancestors attached with playing sports.

So, let’s dedicate an hour of our daily routine to exercise, and together build a healthy and strong country! #HumFitTohIndiaFit

Is the Indian sports infrastructure supportive of disabled athletes?

Is the Indian sports infrastructure supportive of disabled athletes?

In our country, events like Paralympics don’t garner much attention due to our singular enthusiasm for popular sports like cricket. While our para athletes strive for bare minimums, countries like Canada actually celebrate the success of their Paralympians.

According to WHO, there are about 650 million people in the world who are differently abled in some or the other way. Out of this, eighty percent live in developing countries like India. In India, several acts like the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 and the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities, 2006 are supportive of the need for individuals with disabilities to participate in sporting, recreational and leisure activities. When compared to ‘normal’ athletes and sportspersons, para athletes are often widely ignored, forced to strive harder than the able-bodied to master their sport. They also have to endure massive societal rejection and discrimination before they can make it to the international level. Besides, even when they do make it, competitions are few and far in between, and in developing countries like ours, they neither get support from the government nor recognition from the society.

People are unaware of such competitions and we don’t see crowds thronging to watch them. However, at the recent Rio Paralympic Games, India outperformed several countries by winning many medals for their exemplary display.

In our country, there is a major focus on field events, and this has led to the evolution of world beaters like Devendra Jhajharia and Mariyappan Thangavelu. Since 1968, India has won 12 medals in Paralympics, yet somehow we don’t recognise their efforts. These players have given their craft everything they’ve got and their stories are remarkable.

In an evident attempt to change the existing scenario, the union sports ministry released Rs. 83.7 lakhs in the previous financial year under the Khelo India Scheme for sports persons with disabilities. Our Sports Minister, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore believes that the revamped version of this scheme has allocated sufficient funds for the creation of specialised sports infrastructure for persons with disabilities.

Today, one can clearly see that people with disabilities are at par with everyone else, when it comes to making our country proud through achievements in sports. Most of these athletes come from rural backgrounds, and strive hard to succeed despite rampant corruption, fund deficits, and the overall apathy that plagues our system. It is high time we understood and acknowledged the struggle that they have to endure to qualify for, and win medals in global sporting events like the Paralympics.

Also Read: Dhyan Chand: A Role Model For Leaders

Hearing Impaired Students Recreate Saare Jahaan Se Accha in Sign Language with accompanying Djembe Drums

Hearing Impaired Students Recreate Saare Jahaan Se Accha in Sign Language with accompanying Djembe Drums

On the 15th of August in 1947, independent India was born – making many million hearts brim with joy in the afterglow of freedom. 72 years later, the day still evokes a similar emotion.

While events and celebrations in honour of this day are held throughout the country, and amongst Indian communities abroad, children with special needs at Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan are celebrating it in their own special way.

Over the last few months, these children have put in their tireless efforts to make our ‘Connecting Signs’ campaign a successful one. It is is a year-long endeavour, which has raised greater awareness around those who can’t speak or hear. This campaign has made people realise that, despite having limited abilities, these children are no less! They have boundless talent that can help make the world a beautiful place.

Djembe Circle is a musical therapy using drums that helps children with autism improve their hand-eye coordination and refine their social and motor skills. For children with other disabilities, the therapy helps build team coordination and rhythmic movement of the body, and allows participants to bond with other children over drumming.

Last year, our children recreated Jana Gana Mana in sign language as a part of the campaign, reaching more than two million views. Moving ahead with the same spirit this year, MBCN students chose to recite ‘Saare Jahaan se Accha’ in sign language. A popular verse penned by poet and politician Muhammad Iqbal in 1904, this poem has been immortalised as a song plenty of times, yet we are sure that this is definitely one of the most special versions.

As a progressive society, we love exploring new things all the time. However, to help those who need us the most, it is imperative that we first understand their language. Watch the video here:

Best house warming ceremony gift: handmade pooja box made by special children from MBCN

Best house warming ceremony gift: handmade pooja box made by special children from MBCN

Using their special abilities, and their burning passion to create something for the world, children at MBCN are proud to present their new creation, a one of a kind ‘Prayer Box’. Carefully crafted by deft hands, these prayer boxes are ideal for all homes.

With the learning they get at ‘Swayam’, our vocational training workshop, our special kids could fashion these gems expertly, and on their own. At Swayam, we recognize our responsibility towards the environment and therefore only promote the production of eco-friendly articles. We have always inculcated a pro-nature approach in our children, only sanctioning the use of biodegradable materials like wood. Applying the skills they acquire through hard work and practice, our students create products every day. It is success stories like these that validate the work we do to empower our specially-abled students with skills that make them feel confident and independent.

prayer box 1

These handmade wooden pooja boxes make for one of the best housewarming gifts you can get for a friend. It is great for storing pooja items, and it helps bringing positivity and serenity to a house. You can get it for yourself too; have your own pooja box to keep your oil lamps, essence sticks and other pooja samagri safe.

prayer box 2

Not to forget the value your purchase will add to the lives of our special students! Though the joy they receive is beyond any monetary reward for us, your purchase will not just encourage the use of eco-friendly materials and products, it will also help the special children make a vital contribution to our economy.

prayer box 3

You can easily find the prayer box for sale on our website, along with other amazing products made at ‘Swayam’. Our specially-abled children from Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan also craft tissue paper boxes, slip pads, make-up kits, wall decorations, office decorative items, jewellery boxes, envelopes and leaf bags. Purchasing any of the items on our website will help us go a long way in making our students feel self-sufficient and financially independent. Join us and create a world where all children feel warm and welcomed.

MBCN ka Fitness Challenge – Hum Fit Toh India Fit

MBCN ka Fitness Challenge – Hum Fit Toh India Fit

Every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier and to be the best version of you.

Fitness, as we know it, is associated mostly with sports. However, it is equally significant for the health and well being of non-athletes as well. Taking this thought forward, our Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore initiated Hum Fit toh India Fit – a fitness challenge aimed to make India fitter and better. He has urged the citizens of India to share their fitness mantra and regime online. This challenge has spread like wildfire and has brought about a fitness revolution in the country.

 

 

Our students at MBCN, too, have taken up this challenge to prove that despite their disabilities, they are fitter than most of us. Here’s a sneak peak!

Take a cue from these children and strive towards making ourselves fitter and healthier. Because #HumFitTohIndiaFit!

Also Read: Medical Insurance Facility Now for MBCN’s Special Kids