World Disability Day on 3 December was extra special this year, thanks to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), who let us have the use of their ground for the occasion. We got to celebrate the second Sports Day in our history, the first being in 2018, at the Doon School — it’s not every day we have access to a ground large enough to contain us all! Our students, trainees, teachers, therapists, parents and visitors were out in full force, about 500 people in all.
And what a day it was! Aarti Nair, Director, Services, delivered the welcome address. Every child and trainee had their mobility devices, aids and appliances. The events ranged from competitive to crazy fun — marching (twice!) around the ground behind the ITBP piper band, racing in wheelchairs, musical chairs, sack races and tugs of war in which everyone, young, old, abled and disabled, could participate. Our singing star Siddharth regaled the crowd by singing with the ITBP band.
Jo Chopra, our Executive Director, gave the vote of thanks. Our trainees Astha and Krishna presented art mementos to the officials. We ended with snacks, refreshments and medals for everyone for participating.
The event was memorable in the community, with the local newspapers running the news the next day. Big thanks to ITBP not just for the use of the grounds but the tents, chairs, sound system and all the other special little touches!
This is my second attempt in response. Earlier effort may have gone out – or just evaporated. Anyway, once every twenty years represented to e at least a happy surprise. I last heard of Cathleen from David Vanderhooft and she had just received her doctorate. Today I was scanning the web to escape the debris field in which I am siting in an overly enthusiastic re-do of my home in Key West. Forty year ago, when new at BC, my late wife and I bought two weeks of time-share in KW and then spent the next twenty sunning, swimming and writing during the January intersessions. Painful! At some point we realized one could live here (minus Boston’s 120 inches of snow per year) and ultimately were blessed to find a two storey Victorian in the historic district. Again, painful!
Looking at the US today, this place is one of the less Trump-infested corners of the land – although ICE has recently manifested itself picking up people off the street mostly of a Latino complexion. I recently confronted one of the ICE cadre bullying a rather infirm Hispanic gentleman and he challenged me – even if you call me Patricio, the complexion limps! His officiousness subsided when the requested photo ID came in the form of retired commander USNaval reserve. I felt the good guys won a minor engagement. Three more years of the Blond Narcissist is hard to imagine.
Anyway, I’m glad to see that Cathleen is doing well – even if the Vanderhooft material was somewhat dated.
Please give her my regards and know it was fun to reconnect, even if in another century!
Peace,
Pat Kilcoyne