EKVIRA MULTIPURPOSE FOUNDATION AKOLA

When our son Arjun was two and half years old, we come to know that he was hearing impaired. We conducted BERA test at Aurangabad. Dr. Bhale advised us to implant hearing aid. We were completely shattered knowing that he could not hear. We were completed disturbed about his future. Some of our relatives informed about Balvikas Kendra and assured that he could speak. Meanwhile, we purchased hearing aid from Mandke Hearing Centre, Pune. We admitted him to Balvikas Kendra and started his training. He couldn’t utter a single word then. But Mrs. Suchita kindly guided him. She introduced him to different sounds and enabled him to speak. He was gradually taught to utter words and then sentences. But as there was no use of hearing aid, implant surgery was conducted at Mumbai on 20 April 2015. Now, the pace of learning and uttering words increased. He took interest in studies. His mother also accompanied the school. Today he is competent to get admission in normal boy’s school. We are sure, the blessing of Mrs. Suchita and Mr. Shrikant Bansod would always be with him. Every word she taught will be with him for whole of his life. We couldn't forget the kind help and guidance of Mrs. Suchita.

My son Sahil couldn't utter a word when he was three. (Family members used to say 'some kids speak late). We took him to doctor who asked us to conduct BERA test. We did BERA test at Dr Madan Kapre's Hospital At Nagpur. When Dr. Kapre confirmed his hearing loss, we were literally shattered. We didn't have a way out. On medical advice, we planted hearing aid. But, we didn't know that after planting it speech therapy is must. We blindly waited for three years. But Sahil couldn't speak a word even when he was seven. Then, one day we read about Balvikas Kendra of Ekvira multipurpose foundation in newspaper. Next day we arrived there with Sahil and his father. Mrs. Suchita, director of Balvikas Kendra asked us to conduct few tests. After conducting all tests, 2-3 days later we came back. Then, Sahil got admission and the positive change started lurking in. This positive change would not have been possible, if we didn't come to Ekvira Multipurpose Foundation Trust's Balvikas Kendra. Could his life would have rhythm and music? - I humbly think thanking Mrs. Suchita Bansod.

When Vedanta was two years old, we went to a marriage ceremony, where my nephew came to know of his deafness. When he told me, I couldn't believe him. Then, hiding myself, I tried to call him, Vedanta didn't respond. We took him to Dr. Belsare at Amravati. Upon his advice, we conducted Bera Test at Dr Gupta's Hospital, Nagpur, where he was declared 100 percent hearing loss. It was a great shock. Then, he admitted him in a school of deaf and dumb at Narkhed. Few days later, Vedanta's father came to know about surgery from Tanisha Survanshis's father. He then went to Jaslok Hospital Mumbai with him and took complete information from Dr D'Souza Madam. She told expenditure of 8L. We sought help from Tata Trust, where Vedant's father met Vanshu's father, who helped him collecting the sum. After the surgery, we came back to Ambada our home town. Then, finally we come to know about the Balvikas Kendra (special school for hearing impaired). We approached Balvikas Kendra and got admitted into the school. Then, Vedanta was seven years old and could not utter a single word. Now he can could sing. He could tell stories. He could read and write. Now he is ready to join the school of normal boys. During these years Mr. and Mrs. Bansod helped us a lot. When Vedanta's hearing machine was stolen from the railway station, they helped us. We could not forget their help.

My deaf son Abhay, was born on the back of my first girl child Gargi. When I realized that Abhay has a deafness at the age of 2 years. It was during the summers, continuous coolers were running in the house. But after the closure of the cooler, the sound of the noise did not have any effect on Abhay. At that time, I suspected him as deaf . After that, I realized that Abhay does not respond to any sound. He was taken to the Sevagram village hospital in Wardha. The doctor advised of the BERA test after taking a preliminary check. The BERA test proved that, Abhay has profound deafness. When I landed under my feet, my heart sank in tears. How and how do we understand such a small soul ? Well, I have not left the effort. During this time I got information about project for hearing impaired kids of Ekvira Multipurpose Foundation, Akola. Due to getting hold of my two year old Abhay I took him there with new ray of hope. In the center, the Director Mrs. Suchita Bansod observed him, and she felt that, Abhay is hyperactive and attention defecit he did not respond to anything and lives alone. Do not mix with anyone ,don’t make eye contact. The team of Balvikas center accepted this challenge and made a lot of difference in Abhay's style. We parents and center took lots efforts for his well managed hearing , as he was not benefited by hearing aid , hence he undergaon cochlear implant surgery , after that, he got good hearing, we felt very much change within him due speech and behavioral therapy. Abhay become very quiet , he started to mix with others. With the training of speech- hearing- language development, he start to take interest in participating other activities of the Center and simultaneously he got the age appropriate pre and primary oral education for general schooling readiness. And after six year, according to the advice of Director Mrs.Suchita Bansod he is integrated into semi English medium in fifth standared. Now, he participates in all other school activities along with his regular study and he maintain his overall performance high with respect normal student of his class. We are indebted to the organization's founder,Mrs. Suchitatai Bansod and her team of special educator. Hearing,speech along with language training Abhay has completed his pre-school and primary education from Ekvira's Balvikas Center for hearing impaired and now he is studying with normal students in Bharat Vidyalaya Akola at Std VI. Abhay has been the top performer in all the competitions, ahead of normal children in various competition , sports , speeches, and dance , drama ,rifle shooting, recitation competition, etc in the recently concluded in summer camp of his school. His confidence in the main stream of people is getting stronger. Now Abhay is very much responsible and independent and he has overcome his disability. Now we are not worried about his future because we are confident that, in the future he will be be self reliance. All this was possible only by training program for parents and overall development activities for H I children by Multipurpose multipurpose Foundation, Along with speech- hearing and language training that could made a holistic development in childrens.