Day 4 & Day 5

Day 4 & 5

My last morning in Udaipur was memorable. Santosh, Pamna and I went out shopping for some jewelery for me. I wanted Santosh’s expertise and bargaining abilities to help me out. We found a beautiful necklace and earrings. I also wanted to get a new Indian nose ring, but I needed to go to the ATM first. Sometimes, that doesn’t work well overseas. Tried three ATMs and it didn’t work, so we decided to head back to Love Nest before going to the airport. Santosh really wanted me to have an Indian nose ring though, and so she gave me hers! It is very Indian. For those of you who have nose-rings, I’m not quite sure how it got in or if I will be able to change it out without help, so I may be asking for assistance!

Ben and I headed through Delhi and on to Kolkata. We arrived late on Monday night. My wheelchair even came --- out with the baggage. Kolkata is much different from Udaipur, the driving is a bit scarier and the population is considerably more dense in Kolkata.

Smiles and laughs, that’s what it’s all about. I arrived late at night on Monday to Shishur Sevay only to be greeted by one of the most radiant smiles you could ever imagine, Ganga, one of the girls here who has cerebral palsy, was so excited that I was coming she waited up. Ganga is the most vocal of the girls with disabilities; she is extremely intelligent and curious. I must admit, I am a bit of a distraction to her when she has her lessons going on because we just want to laugh together.

Ever since Michelle has taken in the girls, she and I have been in constant communication about things to try in terms of speech and language and alternative/augmentative communication. Who knew that speech pathology would still be a part of what I was doing. One of the first tasks I did yesterday was install some AAC software on laptops for the kids with the BIG MAC buttons. I worked with the language teacher and special ed teacher to show them how the big mac buttons work and how to start off with scanning-2 choices and then build to 3 choices and eventually 2 buttons etc. (See, I still remember some things!) For you speechies, I wish you could meet these girls, they are so expressive.
The other big task of yesterday was tracking down a reliable internet connection for my online class. Who knew that could be an all day affair. If you only could see and understand the process that it took to find this solution. I honestly don’t even know how to capture the ridiculousness and the frustrations of the situation, but let’s just go with the solution: I am currently in the basement of the five-star Taj Hotel (that I am not staying at) using their business center that they opened specially for me and had a back alley tour through the kitchens and store rooms to get here. It was literally an all day quest for internet, but mission was accomplished!

I am so excited for the next week to work with the girls! Pictures to come soon!!