Elizebath P Paul

,

India

Their Dreams Take Flight

Before joining Akkara Foundation, I had heard about Cerebral Palsy (CP). I had read about it, studied it, and seen it clinically. But it was only when I stepped into Akkara Foundation that I truly understood CP, not as a condition, but through the lives, dreams, and talents of the children themselves.

Here, I have had the privilege of working closely with more than 150 children with CP. Each of them has a unique spark that defines them far beyond their diagnosis.

Take Finza, for example. She dances with such grace and joy that she has captured the attention of people everywhere. When the music starts, she spreads her wings and moves fearlessly, forgetting everything else, and reminding us what true passion looks like.

Then there’s Master Kichu, whose drawings are nothing short of spectacular. His artwork speaks volumes, telling stories that words often cannot. And like them, every child I’ve met has one or more special abilities, their own way of expressing themselves, their own dreams to chase.

Being part of their journey has transformed my perspective as a Speech-Language Pathologist. I no longer see CP as a limitation, I see a community of determined children who are exploring their worlds, finding their voices, and chasing their dreams in their own extraordinary ways.

Every day at Akkara Foundation, I am reminded that these children don’t just live with CP, they live with courage, creativity, and boundless potential. And it is our responsibility as professionals, families, and communities to make sure their wings never stop growing.