| BBC Appeal |
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Writer of the National Theatre’s acclaimed production of War Horse and former children’s laureate Michael Morpurgo presented DDP’s Radio 4 Appeal, on Sunday 10th February 2008. The Appeal was broadcasted at 7.55 a.m., repeated at 9.26 p.m. Sunday evening and again at 3.27 p.m. on Thursday 14th February. |
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| This is what Michael said |
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Ten years ago now I was researching a story†. I was writing about a young man who loses a leg in a landmine accident. I was trying to understand how it would be to suffer such a trauma, how to endure the long term consequences. This was when I first came across a charity who gave practical help and new hope to people whose circumstances gave them little or no chance of having a prosthesis or calliper fitted, of ever living a fulfilled life ever again.
The charity was addressing a dire and immediate need, and was doing it with huge determination and dedication. This charity was Disability and Development Partners - DDP.
I think the best way to explain how they work is to tell you a story.
Shilpa Shetty is 6 years old and lives in a village in rural India. Every day her father carried her to school. He put her down to sit on the classroom floor with the other children – but she sat alone and her teacher ignored her.
Why? Because Shilpa had polio as a baby and couldn’t walk unaided. So her father had to carry her to school – something he was finding increasingly difficult – 6 year olds are heavy. The only way for Shilpa to get around the classroom was to crawl and her teacher assumed she wasn’t capable of learning anything.
DDP met Shilpa whilst doing a survey of 176 villages in her area – seeking out children whose lives could be transformed with a little help.
In Shilpa’s case this meant fitting her with callipers to help her stand and a wheelchair to get her to school. They’ve built a ramp there and now there’s a toilet she can use at home. But perhaps most significantly they’ve shown the school teacher how to include Shilpa in the lessons. This all cost just £150.
Shilpa’s life has really changed. She now learns with her classmates and plays with new friends. This little girl now has a real chance in life.
Today I’m asking you to help us to help more children like Shilpa. |
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| Shilpa attending her first assessment conducted by the ELO Rehabilitation team who recommended that Shilpa be provided with a wheelchair and be fitted with callipers that will help her to stand. |
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Shilpa (in purple) stands supported by her family (mother on the left, with small brother front left, father at rear) in front of their house in Heggotra Village, Kasabi, Karnataka, S India. |
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Shilpa’s parents have been trained by ELO field workers to take apart the wheelchair and assemble it again. Her father no longer has to carry her all the way to school. |
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†The story Michael was writing is his book Dear Olly, published in paperback by Collins, London UK, ISBN-10 0006753337 (www.michaelmorpurgo.org)
The cost of changing Shilpa’s life has been calculated from the real costs of callipers and wheelchair; time and local materials to build the school ramp and the family’s accessible toilet; initial identification and assessment, rehabilitation treatment, monthly rehabilitation follow-ups and weekly visits to her school.
Shilpa is one of 200+ children already benefiting from DDP’s Education and Livelihood Opportunities programme (supported by the Big Lottery Fund and Medicor Foundation) in Chamrajnagar District, Karnataka State, implemented with DDP’s local partner, Mobility India, Bangalore. more about Shilpa>> |
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