Click to play videoSrinagar: Dr Maqbool Mir's school in Srinagar gives the differently abled children of the valley a shot at life. In a region where medical care is a distant reality, Dr Mir's school is open to all.
It is a helping hand for 16-year-old Zafar, who was born with a speech disability and a locomotive disorder and for whom even the simplest tasks have been an ordeal.
"Earlier I would shiver if I took a cup in my hand, it would get out of control," Zafar said.
From therapy to medicine, Zafar went through everything before his father brought him to the Shafaqat Rehabilitation Centre where one man would open the gates to a new world.
Dr Maqbool Mir and his love for children, however different they maybe, translated into Shafaqat, a centre where each child finds love and confidence.
An ENT specialist, the idea of Shafaqat was born out of his visits to nearby villages.
"While working at the Srinagar medical college I saw a lot of children suffering. I used to visit different villages over the weekends. I would take my colleagues from various specialties and I would inform the local medical officer to collect the deserving patients who cannot even afford ot come out of Srinagar," Dr Mir said.
A room at the Srinagar medical college and some equipment by the state came in the 80s. In 2000, a school and a centre took shape with special attention to mental, orthopedic, speech and hearing related disorders. Today almost 100 children are being treated there.
However, convincing parents to send their children remained a tough task.
In spite of more children and less funds, Dr Mir has never lost hope or humour.
"I am begging. I tell my own patients. I tell them I see you for free. If someone is a friend I won't charge them, but I ask them to help this school and these kids," he said.
Dr Mir's next step is a world class rehabilitation centre. The land has been donated by the government, funds have come for a new building and the hope is in the eyes of young men like Zafar who are confident of starting a new innings.
Zafar said, "Practice makes a man perfect. God helps those who help themselves. I am learning control over the tongue and I'll keep doing my best, I promise."
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)
More on IBNLive Right Now
TOP NEWS
MOST SHARED
PHOTOGALLERY
