AHMEDABAD: It was a dream come true for
Mahesh
and Jayshree Gangdia when they adopted a newborn baby in 1998 and finally call the child their own. The parenthood journey hit a challenging roadblock for the duo when the child - whom they lovingly named
Jay
- developed severe jaundice about a year later which severely damaged his nervous system triggering
cerebral palsy
.
The neurological condition rendered Jay unable to move his limbs below his neck.
"It was a crushing blow, and we questioned our destiny. God blessed us with a child but now the child could not move on his own. The emotional setback was only a momentary phase when we decided to take this as a sign from the Almighty to put in all our might for Jay," recounts Mahesh, 62, a resident of Ghatlodia.
On
Father's Day
celebrated on June 16, Mahesh's is a heartwarming story as the dad kept his promise and has stayed with Jay over the past 26 years through thick and thin. He got an able support in his wife Jayshree till 2019.
"A severe bout of swine flu claimed her. We were living in the Gurukul area in a flat on the second floor. But after her demise, we shifted to the first floor where I can work and take care of him. I am now with him round the clock," he says, adding that he books tickets and hotels for clients and also has an agency of mineral water supply, something which he can do from home.
A major turning point for Jay came in the form of an art camp for persons with disabilities at CN Vidyalaya in 2016. "He was drawing earlier, but the vibrant colours just fascinated him. He started painting like there was no tomorrow. We were amazed at his prowess as he secured the first rank in the camp among 60 and the teachers told us to motivate him further. In the past eight years, he has grown in his imagination and expression," says the proud father.
Jay hit the pinnacle in 2023 when he was awarded the national Shreshth Divyangjan (eminent person with disabilities) award for his talents by the
President of India
on Dec 3, celebrated as International Day of Persons with Disabilities. "Through his work, he is meeting dignitaries and celebrities, including the chief minister and governor of Gujarat. He earns through the sale of his paintings and has contributed to the national fund for Covid in 2020," says Mahesh.
Through his father, Jay told TOI that what he enjoys the most about his father is his company. "He takes me to places and helps me with exhibitions," says Jay.
Mahesh says it is not easy to handle a
child with disabilities
for a single parent. "Right from his daily routine to taking care of education and health, it sometimes gets daunting. I meet many parents who have children with similar conditions. I tell them that the first step is acceptance. Hoping that there will be a miracle tomorrow may not work. We have to do our best. Kids understand empathy, warmth and support. It's the only thing that matters. Other things will fall in place."
English (US) ·