The one with the caring

I helped my grandpa get ready and removed his chappals. He was very excited. It had been months since he went out to his favorite garden for a walk. Dad said we will take car because we weren't sure he would be able to walk so much after such a long time. It is difficult at the age of 85. On top of that he is visually challenged. He hasn't seen daylight in last 8 years or so...

Dad parked the car right outside the gate (Ofcourse he will drive ... he always does this. We both love driving but he says its my car and wins the argument every single time #UNFAIR ). As usual dada holds my shoulder in his right hand and his walking stick in left .... umm .. wait sorry its the other way round. Never mind. So we started walking and talking about cricket which we all 3 love. I see a man in his 60s walking with his son who must be in his last 30s. the son looked bit mentally challenged. As they passed by my dad gave a wry smile to his father. I asked ,"Do you know them? Is there something wrong with that person?" Dad replied,"That guy is suffering from down syndrome. Its a hard life kiddo."

So for people who don't know down syndrome :

 

Down syndrome (DS or DNS), also known as trisomy 21, is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21. It is typically associated with physical growth delays, characteristic facial features and mild to moderate intellectual disability. The average IQ of a young adult with Down syndrome is 50, equivalent to the mental ability of an 8- or 9-year-old child, but this can vary widely.

Here I was thinking that its hard to be there for your grandparents all the time. Not that I am complaining a lot. I love them and taking care of them makes me feel responsible for what they have done for us. Sometimes it gets tiring though as your outings decrease and socializing becomes less. But here was this person who was taking care of his son since last 35-40 years with his son behaving as a 9 year old. My grandparents have his family to look after them. This person will have to live in the fear of unknown. What will happen to his son after he and his wife leave this world. Who will take care of their son who has such difficult condition. Its the same case with kids with autism. 

The lives of such parents is very very hard. Their kids aren't socially accepted. They practically have to spend their entire lives behind their kids. The sad part is they cannot make any possible arrangement for them after they are gone. I truly feel the way they take care of them, There is no other selfless love than theirs. 

After finishing a whole round of walking we left the garden and headed back towards our car and dad says you drive. I am like," REALLY? Thanks dad." He says,"Gotcha, April Fool." I will get back to him ...

PS: A simple act of caring creates endless ripple ...

Dedicated to,

all the parents,

Thank You,

From,

 Hetansh Shah a.k.a Hetu :]