This Article is From Oct 10, 2015

Overcoming Cerebral Palsy and Winning

Mumbai: Fourteen extraordinary achievers were honoured at the ADAPT Achievement Awards in Mumbai on the occasion of World Cerebral Palsy Day. The six winners are Vivek Joshi (Academics), Mandeep Singh Manu (Arts and Humanities), Avelino D'Sa (Activism), Padma Tharani (Entrepreneurship), Basawaraj Nagnath Paike (Independent Living) and Rohit Jain (Corporate Employment). Seven runners up were also awarded at the function.

Mara Palli Saravanthi from Hyderabad won the Special Jury Award. The young girl from Hyderabad has got a Masters in Economics from the Osmania University. But Ms Saravanthi says she is equally good with her culinary skills.

"I want to mention my mother here. Without her support from the beginning, I would never have been here," she told the audience while accepting her award.

Avelino D'sa, who overcame huge challenges, battling the disorder that affects motor movements, is now an Investment and Tax Consultant and a staunch supporter of inclusive education. Addressing the parents at the function, he said, "You also must be wondering, what your children with severe disabilities will be doing. They will be doing well and these questions must be there on mind as well. You are seeing achievers today in the field of disability. Be rest assured your children one day will be achievers if you believe in them."

The highlight of the evening though was a selfie contest in which individuals have to post selfies with a person with cerebral palsy.

Among the attendees were doctors, differently-abled activists and parents of children with cerebral palsy. What caught everyone's attention were the fantastic performances which the students really enjoyed.

An extraordinary evening of fun and celebration of talent that that overcame huge obstacles came to an end with an inspiring message from the Founder Chairperson of ADAPT, Dr Mithu Alur.

"It has been said that it is an intelligent mind in a disobedient body. We have found in 45 years, that given little modifications, that we have done in various programmes in the schools and the treatment etc, they have gone to places. In fact today we are celebrating awardees coming from different parts of the country," Dr Alur said.
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