Events

Beyond Limits

“I might not be good at expressing myself to others in day-to-day routine due to my physical impairment, but when it comes to translating my imagination to canvas, I am no different,” seemed to be the massage of over 19 physically challenged artists from across India who had come to participate in the week-long exhibition in Delhi. The exhibition titled “Beyond Limits” was organized by the Family of Disabled in the Arpana Art Gallery at Khel Gaon Marg.

The viewers were surprised at the flawless works of the artists. “The works are immaculate. I liked the collage works of Siddhartha the most,” Mr Bishen Singh, an art lover said who gave an order of 50 pieces to hearing and speech impaired artist Siddhartha from Orissa.

The artist specializes in collage. He creates his works without using paint. With the help of tiny paper cuttings, he creates a world close to reality. Another hearing impaired artist Imamuddin draws only tigers in various moods. His miniature work in silk is so flawless that it lends a photographic image of the painting.

“He was a signboard painter before joining Ranathmabore School Art. Now he is an accomplished wildlife artist, ” Preeti Johar, senior executive FOD said. Sixty-eight works in Madhubani, mixed media, collage and miniature paintings were at display out of which most of them have buyers. FOD is a dream of Rajinder Johar, serving as a physiotherapist in Lucknow two decades ago when he was shot in the spinal cord by goons who had come to loot his house. He was however, able to save his daughter who was sitting in his lap.

Source: Beyond limits- Disabled excel in art. Asian Age, Daily. New Delhi, 26 September 2006.

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Conference on Fragile X

  • Fragile X syndrome is the most common cause of inherited mental impairment. This impairment can range from learning disabilities to more severe cognitive or intellectual disabilities. It  is the most common known cause of autism or "autistic-like" behaviors.Symptoms also can include characteristic physical and behavioral features and delays in speech and language development.
  • It results in intellectual, emotional and behavioral deficits. 
  • It affects approximately 1 in 2,500 males and 1n 5,000 females, with 1 in 250 women and 1 in 800 men being carriers of the syndrome  (due to lack of awareness we do not have the exact figures of prevalence in India )

Fragile X - It is a condition that can impact individuals in an entire family across many generations. It can be passed on in a family by individuals who have no apparent signs of this genetic condition. In some families a number of family members appear to be affected, whereas in other families a newly diagnosed individual may be the first family member to exhibit symptoms. 

It may cause:

FXTAS – fragile x- associated tremor ataxia syndrome (seen in older adults who may be suffering from neurological problems)

POF – premature ovarian failure (seen in mothers who may be at risk of early menopause)
FXS - fragile x syndrome

The awareness for the same is still in its infancy here in India and growing at a pace slower than it should be. We need to create awareness about Fragile X at the level of doctors, therapists, parents and general mass too

  • Timely detection can give mothers reproductive choices.
  • Early diagnosis will lead to early intervention and we can help the child realize his/her true potentials.
  • The schools, counselors, doctors and therapists need to come forward to help a parent bring up the child in a manner most suitable to facilitate his/her optimum capability.

To herald new innovations in this awareness, The Fragile X Society- India has invited a team of professionals from the MIND institute. This team shall include Dr. Randi and Dr. Paul Hagerman along with an occupational therapist, speech and language therapist, behaviour therapist and a geneticist. The experts at the MIND institute are pioneers for Fragile X world over. They will be here in January 2007. It will be an elaborate 5 day conference covering many aspects and giving India newer dimensions to this lesser known and prevailing disorder.

"Working together we can help our children with fragile X syndrome - now, while making the road easier for those diagnosed in the future!"

For more information please contact:
Shalini Kedia - resource head for Fragile X in India,
+ 91 98201 99092
+ 91 22 66642151

ainbow1481@hotmail.com

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