Imagine raising a child who is unable to walk, or trying to teach a child with hearing loss to communicate meaningfully. Now imagine doing so as a desperately poor parent in North India, where any disability gives cause for social exclusion and shame. EHA is committed to helping such families.

Baptist Christian Hospital runs a significant community-based rehabilitation program for adults and children with disabilities. They provide both home-based and center-based therapy, assistive aids, and therapeutic items. Part of their goal is to raise awareness about living with disabilities and how to improve lives.

Two individuals in one community were struggling with social inclusion and interaction. Krisha is a nine-year-old with cerebral palsy and Raju is a 28-year-old with an intellectual disability. Both of them rely on their families for care, and when their parents found out about BCH’s program, they sought help. Through ongoing community discussions about disability, both Krishna and Raju have been increasingly integrated into school and social programs.

Teachers now provide Krishna with extra attention and grace periods for his work, reflecting a broader acceptance. A notable highlight of their inclusion came during a village music competition during the Bihu festival, where Krishna performed as the lead singer of one group, and Raju played the cymbal. Their group was led by a person with blindness, further underscoring the spirit of inclusivity.

The work that the BCH community staff do is making a huge difference across communities and in the lives of many individuals.