TQM
A midday break to benefit everyone
A midday break to benefit everyone
Enforcement of the law protecting workers who are out in the sun this summer period is commendable.
But perhaps the rule should be applied to others working outside. Mawaqif inspectors, for instance, are out all day. Why not give them a respite? While we’re at it, how about a summer free of Mawaqif parking fees? That would be a true win-win.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online.
SUJIT SUKUMARAN – The will to have it your way – ALL THE WAY – an inspiration from an inspiration "unlimited"
In the beginning of 1990s, when I landed with my first job in the emirate of Dubai, I happened to stay as guest with a family in Karama. I was moving to Dubai for the first time, after a disastrous start in Abu Dhabi and then looking for a good break here and there and nowhere like. I was made comfortable in the initial days by the ever smiling presence of a young man and his wife and two children. I am always attracted to children who has sparks of brilliance or creativity in them and I really blended well with them. It was a scene of surprise and awe for me as this little boy who could barely walk a few steps and then fall down in front of me but had a tremendous will power in him to get up and walk the remaining steps towards his goal.
His father was his inspiration and his mother and elder sister support and solace. Without no lift to come down from the third floor apartment, his father used to carry him down and take him to the school bus and school and then the numerous medical treatment and therapies including swimming.
Life moved on and I too moved on from them and this little boy grew bigger, better, stronger, intelligent and ambitious to be one among us.
In between we lost contact for several years. After some 7 or 8 years, I reconnected with them one day and as fate has its own way in our life, his ever loving and smiling father passed away on a Friday morning within a short period of our meeting. I was back to Abu Dhabi by then and immediately rushed down to Dubai hearing this sad news.
His father, Late Sri E N Sukumaran, was an inspiration to many of his friends and well wishers. Those who all know him never misses his presence, even so many years after his death. That was the personality of the man and there were numerous friends and well wishers in that home at that moment. Seeing me amongst the crowd, Sujit, emotionless and in shock leaned on to me and remained with me for the next two days till his father’s body was repatriated for funeral. My tributes and prayers to his soul, once again, while posting this message here.
The connection we made during my short stay remains everlasting and the little boy of that time has grown leaps and bounds and now a self made enterprising individual as any one of us.
Sujit Sukumaran is now an established Toast Master in UAE. Add a very good writer, a professional Resume Maker, a promoter of vegetarianism and Indian culture along with a “no physical or personal difficulties can hold me from moving on in my life attitude”; you will get a picture of Sujit. Oops sorry, add one more precious quality – an eligible bachelor for those numerous young girls out there!!
I invite you to please take a 30 minutes of free time from your life and read the two articles below and carefully listen to what Sujit has to say in his 19.02 minutes video to the world during his recent speech at TEDxAlAin 2012.
His is an inspiring story of exceptional courage, of triumph over the most difficult challenges. It is also an outstanding example of what a human being can achieve if he has the determination to succeed and the support of devoted parents, dedicated doctors and helpful teachers and friends.
By Jyoti KalsiPublished for GULF NEWS December 7, 2002
Strong family and willpower have enabled Dubai resident Sujit Sukumaran defeat cerebral palsy
His is an inspiring story of exceptional courage, of triumph over the most difficult challenges. It is also an outstanding example of what a human being can achieve if he has the determination to succeed and the support of devoted parents, dedicated doctors and helpful teachers and friends.
Sujit Sukumaran weighed just one kilogram at birth. Oxygen deficiency after birth resulted in cerebral palsy, leaving him with several physical disabilities. He started crawling when he was 18 months old. He took his first steps, on crutches, when he was four and was unable to walk without support till the age of 12.
He has known the discomfort of daily physiotherapy since he was nine months old and he has spent every school vacation in hospital undergoing medical treatment.
Not only did he have to overcome physical challenges but he also had to deal with the pain of losing his father at the tender age of 15. Yet, today the young man of 17 strides confidently towards a bright future, free from physical or emotional crutches.
“I prefer to count my blessings. Most cerebral palsy patients have some amount of brain damage, but I am lucky that my brain is in pristine condition,” says Sujit.
Life has forced him to grow up quickly but he speaks about his struggle without the slightest trace of self-consciousness or self-pity, and a lot of humour. And a struggle it has indeed been.
Sujit’s tryst with physiotherapy began at nine months. “The stretching and bending was extremely painful and I remember that I always went in crying, kicking and shouting all the way. But four years later I was able to stand with the help of callipers. Today I am very grateful to the physiotherapists at Al Wasl and Rashid Hospitals,” he acknowledges.
Sujit’s main sources of strength were his mother Ramani and his father E. N. Sukumaran. “God gives special children to special parents and whatever I am today, I owe to it my parents,” he says. He was particularly close to his father. “Dad was my friend, guide and mentor. He was a self-made man with a very positive outlook. He always pushed me to aim for the impossible and taught me that problems only exist because we create them,” reminisces Sujit.
His nursery school teachers recommended that he be sent to a regular school. Sujit did well in the entrance exam of The Indian High School, Dubai, and despite initial reservations, the school agreed to admit him.
“The happiest day of my life was the first day I went to a regular school. With my callipers on and holding the hands of both my parents I walked shakily into school, but this was my first step into a normal life,” states Sujit emphatically.
He strongly feels that regular schools should be open to admitting students like him. “A special needs child can never be pushed to improve in a special school environment however good it may be. Whatever I am today is largely due to what Indian High School was able to do for me,” he insists.
A helper carried Sujit and his bag from the school bus to his class everyday and his teachers were always encouraging.
“A major milestone for me was when in the fifth standard a friend suggested that he would carry my bag instead of the helper and others followed suit. I am fortunate to have such friends who do these things for me with love,” says Sujit, adding with a smile that the front seat in the bus was always reserved for him.
Being in a regular school also had its share of problems and disappointments. Children stared at him all the time. “When I asked dad why they did that, he would explain that people stare at anything that is different. They will stare at Aishwarya Rai also if they see her at close quarters, he would say. And eventually it was their curiosity to know which strange planet I came from that helped me to make friends with them,” he laughs.
Sujit felt particularly miserable when the class went out to play. “I sat on my bench and watched them running around and felt really angry. I would pray that someday I could join them and luckily for me, even though it took 15 years, that prayer has been answered,” he says happily.
His most disappointing experience was his first school picnic to Mushrif Park. “Dad had given me money and told me to try all the rides, but the teachers were too scared to let me go on them. So I just sat on the grass and watched the others,” he recalls sadly. But Sujit immediately brightens up at the memory of his parents taking him back the same evening to all the rides in the same park. “And recently I went to Wild Wadi with my class and enjoyed the 80 foot Jumeirah Sceirah, one of the scariest rides in the park,” he says beaming with pride.
Big strides
While he made big strides academically and socially at school, his medical treatment continued. Every morning before school he went for two-hour physiotherapy sessions and there was some surgery scheduled during every vacation.
The first operation, at the age of eight, was a dorsal rhizotomy performed in Hyderabad, India, to treat his spasticity. In a five-and-a-half-hour operation, the doctors opened his back and cut off a series of nerve fibres from the spinal cord. “This was my first experience with big time pain. The physiotherapy was just a trailer while this was the movie,” he jokes.
For 15 days he lay in hospital on his stomach and had to stay in bed for two months. He could not sit and any movement was painful. “The anticipation of a better future, prayer and my ability to make friends with doctors, nurses and other patients is what kept me going,” recalls Sujit.
He finds a positive side even in this traumatic experience. “The doctor gave me a set of books called the ‘children’s knowledge bank’. This is what got me interested in reading and in quizzing. And though I still had to wear calf splints, after this surgery I could walk better and the spasticity reduced considerably,” he reflects.
His 11th birthday was again spent in hospital. This time it was to loosen his hamstrings. “Instead of cake, I got some chloroform. Both my legs were in plaster for two months and the itching felt like there was a swarm of ants in there,” describes Sujit.
As usual he had read up everything he could about the surgery and even watched part of it under local anesthesia. The physiotherapy after the prolonged immobility was extremely painful once again.
“There is no gain without pain,” he says nonchalantly. “At least now I had total freedom of muscular movement. I could touch my feet and tie my own shoe laces, though I still had to wear support pads to protect the muscles,” says Sujit with typical optimism. He has yet another scar from a tendon lengthening operation done during yet another vacation.
Around this time Sujit took part in a poetry recitation contest. “The cruel remarks of some boys triggered the desire to prove myself on stage. The confidence I gained led to participation in quiz contests and other such competitions,” he admits. He remembers with pride his first stage experience as a compere at a variety show organised by the Al Wasl Ladies Club for special needs children and their parents.
Best wishes Sujit, Good luck and keep travelling – you are an inspiring personality to all of us.
Ramesh Uncle
08 June 2012
Campaign – Clean up your medicine chest
Campaign – Clean up your medicine chest
I was alarmed by the unused medicines lying at the medicine chest at my home. I can imagine the reason, because, many times medicines prescribed are not consumed in full. This is the quantity cleared, usable and not expired during this week-end clean up.
Why not you devote a few minutes during this weekend to clear medicine chest at your home too.
I am sure, you will save some space, avoid children/elders taking medicines already expired.
I am not sure, these days, organisations take in those non-expired medicines that could be reused, if so, it will save money for some needy and come handy to those poor patients.
Any campaigners to take my thoughts, welcome in advance.
Ramesh Menon
23 Feb 2012
Corporates – Its time to promote the real heroes
To read this issue of No News in pdf, please email me at team1dubai@gmail.com
An example of excellent hygiene – Public Toilets for Abu Dhabi Science Fair at Abu Dhabi Corniche
An example of excellent hygiene – Public Toilets for Abu Dhabi Science Fair at Abu Dhabi Corniche
Need for " A Will"
Need for ” A Will”
The October 2011 editiorial of KNSS (Karnataka Nair Services Society) News Bulletin came out with an important topic – ” A Will”. As a person who interact with many during emergency situation, I have noticed several times families left stranded with no guidelines as to assets and liabilities of their heads or bread earners. The topic detailed is therefore very important.
In addition, I have also noticed that many of us do not carry valid contact numbers to reach near and dear ones in case of an emergency. There is a need for such a document carried along with valid contact details, blood group and other relevant instructions such as health conditions (allergy/operations carried out etc), which will help assist emergency assistance.
Thanks to KNSS editorial team for coming out with a very useful topic.
Phone-in dangers – Gulf News Dt. 27.10.2011
Phone-in dangers
Radio stations in the UAE can play an important role in educating traffic safety to road users. After listening to various radio channels in the past few days I suggest an increased voluntary participation by radio jockeys from all prominent radio stations to talk about the importance of not using mobile phones while driving — or using it diligently with appropriate hands-free equipment. Radio stations should implement a check to not entertain a caller if he or she is not using such equipment while participating in phone-in programmes. Can the radio stations, which are doing a wonderful job in passing out useful information and entertainment to listeners, include this in their daily agenda? Could the authorities also ensure that an appropriate guideline is issued to radio stations on this subject?
From Mr Ramesh Menon
Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, visit GULF NEWS online.
Closer Cooperation with the Local Community at Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services’ Al Dhaid Branch
Closer Cooperation with the Local Community at Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services’ Al Dhaid Branch
On Tuesday, October 18, 2011, a delegation comprised of His Excellency Colonel Ali Saif Alndas, Director of Al Dhaid Police Department, His Excellency Misbah Aajeed Ketbi, Chairman of Maliha Cultural & Sport Club and a Member of the Federal National Council—UAE, His Excellency Mohamed Ali Saif, Mayor of Maliha, His Excellency Misbah Saif Ketbi, Director of Maliha Municipal, His Excellency Rashid Mahaan, Chairman of Parents of Students in the Central Region Senate at Al Dhaid, His Excellency Saeed bin Laith Tunaiji, Member of the Parents of the Students Senate, and 9 of the parents of students at Al Dhaid Branch visited Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS), a nonprofit organization located in United Arab Emirates which aims at providing advocacy, inclusion, and empowerment for people with disabilities under the Director Generalship of Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, in order to increase communication and cooperation with the activities of the local community in Sharjah.
During the visit, a brief introduction about the services provided at the Al Dhaid branch was conducted. Visitors then discussed their expectations for this meeting. They were provided with a tour of SCHS. At the conclusion of the visit, delegation members expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the invitation and admiration of the efforts of the administrative staff and technical support team in providing the best services for children with disabilities. They expressed their willingness to cooperate with the objectives set by the branch to increase the level of coordination with local institutions and activities taking place in the community.
ClicksandWrites 
You must be logged in to post a comment.