Child Series III – Medha
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Medha
When I met Medha she was only two
Doing everything any child her age, would do
What was startling was that even at that stage
She recognized complex words, way ahead of her age
But one horrible day, quite abruptly
Medha stopped talking….completely..
Traumatic visits to doctors ensued
The parents did everything in the world they could
Leaving not a single stone unturned
To hear her voice we all just yearned….
Till the heart-rending truth came to light
Medha was Autistic
She would never be all right…
When God makes special children
He gives them special parents too
And Medha’s parents are the exemplary few
While the world brands an Autistic child as “Odd”
They gracefully accepted her as a “Gift from God”
And with every opportunity that they could see
They gave her a life as normal as could be
It wasn’t easy, the task was tough
There were times that were testing and things got rough
But with every hurdle or problem that they face(d)
They just renewed their strength – trusting in God’s grace…
Medha, now fifteen enthusiastically attends school
Today she can draw, cycle and swim in the pool
She loves computers which she easily operates
And thru her eyes and soft words,
She nicely communicates
A loving soul in a world of her own
No malice, no pride, no hatred shown
Never ever a thought of doing anyone any harm
A radiant smile reflecting her divine charm…
People do stare, estrange and try to keep her at par
But Medha, you are more normal that any of us are….
An Ode to resilience and strength of the “Special Parents ” of a “Special Child”A third poem in my series dedicated to all the beautiful children who have touched my lifeand Medha is definitely a key one…sharing a very special and close bond with me, she reflects a deep inner self which theworld may not see but I can understand it and its a beautiful pure world of a “Pure soul”.
88 Comments
Wow, goes deep into the core of the heart. And truly said, such persons are away from deception, lies and all malpractices that we supposedly normal people do. God give her a good life and to her supporters too who are important part of her life.
seema Reply:
March 19th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Yes Parminder….its hard to express in words what the parents of special children go through and face from a sometimes very insensitive and callous society….
Seema…..your poems touch the “emotion” that we humans perhaps seem to lose in this so called “modern life”. Ecah poem in this series is so full of meaning, the zest to live and reassures me that the good is here to stay!
Keep writing and touching our hearts!
seema Reply:
March 19th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Thanks Preeti, this is in fact a lot more than a mere poem as you can see.. ideally would have liked to do away with the rating for this poem as it really does not need to be judged as a poem… right na?
Preeti Datar Reply:
March 20th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Yes, your poems, particularly this series is beyond poetry. It’s what I call life in ‘text’! And no one has the right, or can ever have the right to judge such poems…..
seema Reply:
March 20th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Lovely term ” Life in Text” so apt. Preeti!
Vidya Reply:
March 28th, 2009 at 10:55 am
Hi Seema, I too am one of those people who have know Medha from the time you have known her. After reading the beautiful piece I was absolutely overwhelmed and remembered the first time she called me Polymashi. That moment still remains very special to me. After becoming a mother and seeing my own child growing and learning I think I now understand Medha and her mother more. I am always at lose of words when I speak to Nivedita, therefore I wrote you. Thanks for this beautiful poem. Vidya
Very beautiful and an optimistic one.
seema.sahaa Reply:
March 19th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Thank you medhiniji, You know Medha is as much a part of my life as my own children are.. and you are right it was optimism which really helped make her reach here…
Seema- must congratulate you on writing such an inspiring series …..you tell a story beautifully and esp ones that are poignant n heart touching with a restrained hand.Well done
seema.sahaa Reply:
March 19th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Thanks Renu, When I thought of the series I had thought of writing generic poems on different facets of children.. but as I started to work on the series, one after another I realized there are so many lives/ real life situations which are so closely connected with ones own life, the experience and learning from which should be shared with the world… its been an amazing experience to reflect over them and give them a more pronounced form through poems….
Seema, what can I say! I have read & am feeling this fantastic write in the core of my heart. You have given a beautiful profound holistic purpose to poetry through a God-given inspiration and made the readers; whosoever may be fortunate to read this poem, understand these special children in the correct sense.
Kudos (which also falls much short towards appreciation & recognition) to you for this extremely beautiful, meaningful poem, to the understanding lovely parents of dear Medha & sweet promising Medha too. My thoughts go to them.
Seema, according to me, your this poem is a classic example of p4poetry (Passion for poetry) inspiring & leading to p2poetry ( Profound Purpose to Poetry). Kudos to you for this too.
seema Reply:
March 20th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Thank you. Writing this series on the various children and episodes in my life which have touched me and to a large extent brought about meaningful change in my life has been a very emotional, poignant but enriching experience….
Writing about Medha is like writing about my own child … she is no less to me…and I consider myself lucky to have been a part of her life and blessed that she closely relates and reaches out to me….
Vishvnand Reply:
March 20th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Seema, I forgot to mention. Medha’s teachers in special education also deserve our reverence & a lot of credit for nurturing and guiding Medha towards her refined development with love and dedication. Our hearty “Kudos” to them too for their dedicated efforts of a high order.
seema Reply:
March 20th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Thank you so much. Medha’s mother has forwarded this link to all her teachers and special educators and they have also commented….it is really very nice of you to have also remembered them…
An excellent effort to sum up the emotions and the efforts of Medha and her parents during the last 15 yrs . Touched my heart and soul. Nivedita and Tilak have been and will always be a source of inspiration to me. I only wish there was atleast one SEEMA with every child in this world.
seema Reply:
March 20th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Thanks Rachna, You are right. Specially Nivedita’s undying spirit and strength are definitely a divine gift to her. So amazingly strong, positive and undying in the face of the worst of adversities.
This really really touched the heart & feel this will make all of us better humans
seema.sahaa Reply:
March 20th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Thanks Vijay, You are right we must learn from other people’s experience and the commendable strength they show.
the poem is wonderful! i may not exactly know, but can feel what you have gone through those trying times.. the trials and tribulations.. its very true, the parents are very special too.. and you have proved yourself every step of the way.. known you since cls 8 when u joined sjc.. to see u metamorphise as we now start getting greys in the hair, has given moments of great reckoning.. u hv proved urself to be a champion every step of the way.. to be able to relate to medha when she most needed you, to provide unstinted support, to appreciate her role and build on her positives.. you hv emerged a clear winner as a mother and as a person every step of the way.. when we last met, it was wonderful to see you all together.. god bless u! tc..
seema Reply:
March 20th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Thnaks Mohua you are absolutely right… Nivedita is strength personified….and the same goes for all parents with ’special’ children..
the beauty of the child so appropriately expressed…..i have met Medha very briefly with Shalu and she charmed me with her smile…. and though i dont know her parents…am sure like each one of us , parents of these ’special kids’ , we consider ourselves the blessed ones, the chosen few. An amazing poem Seema!
seema Reply:
March 20th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Thanks Ameeshi, my heart goes out to you … special parents are definitely the stronger souls sent to teach us what strength and resilience is all about….God bless You!
Beautiful weaving of words and feelings for a beautiful girl And Nivedita, you are an inspiration for every mother.
seema Reply:
March 20th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Thanks Shelja, Nivedita tells me you are one of the best counsellors we have in the city ..how does one convey what it means to have people like you help special children over come their problems….A big Thank you from the heart!
beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. only a poet can see the beauty of a drop of dew on a leaf. there is no doubt Medha is a very special and beautiful child. but you have the eye to see and the heart to feel and the talent to write. god bless you
asha uberoy
seema Reply:
March 21st, 2009 at 10:41 am
Thank you Ashaji… Thank you for everything you have done for Medha .
Thanks Seema, the poem is really nice and says everything that we wanted to say.
seema Reply:
March 21st, 2009 at 11:54 am
Tilak.. I have only put in words what you and Nivedita have gone through and done all these years. You both deserve all the credit and Blessings from every one!
“Straight From The Heart” is the only thing I can say for the poem. So is true for these children .To me these are greater souls landed on earth on a special mission. Proud are the people who are the care takers As people who are assigned the task to be with these noble souls are the chosen one, learning from them, getting trained each day . To follow the path of integrity, truth, unconditional love, compassion and above all acceptance. Nothing greater is achieved without pain and perseverance, these are the things they never let us forget. If as caretakers ,I am able to help my child connect with his life purpose I would feel succeeded in my purpose.
Love and Light,
Mini
(on a similar journey)
seema Reply:
March 23rd, 2009 at 11:48 am
Mini, My heart goes out to you and all other parents who are “On a similar journey” and all I can say is we are all with you….
really heart rending
Seema Reply:
March 21st, 2009 at 7:52 pm
No Rajdeep its exemplary.
rajdeep Reply:
March 21st, 2009 at 8:01 pm
ya its a gr8 example to copy, but its all ’bout inspiration,
feelings, emotions,
and i can say the amalgamation of all
lovely poem
Indeed very eloquent, moving and apt., many many thanks to Seema for a wonderful sketch of Medha’s life.
Many thanks to all who have directly / indirectly helped Medha blossom.
With love to Medha from Rupa Pishi, Pishemoshai, Jhumkadidi and Pupul
Seema, a very good poem and a very good series……………..You poems have brought to life these stories…………….
Your way of writing is great……………I must say…………………….
All stars for you
Hi Seema
I have already writen to Nivedita the day she forwarded the poem to me. Fantastic – we have known Medha since she was a small child it brings tears in our eyes to read such wonderful verse. Nivedita and Tilak have been such great parents my hats off to them. NO ONE COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER. As my husband says Nivedita and Tilak are not friends but extended family.
seema.sahaa Reply:
March 23rd, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Yes Madhulika… you are abs. right…. No one could have done better! Hats off to them!
Hi Seema,
I have known Nivedita for close to a year now.
Our sons were in the same play school and are very fond of each other.
I really admire her for her strength, positive energy, passion and commitment.
Medha is blessed to have Nivedita as a mother and Nivedita is blessed with a beautiful daughter.
In many ways Medha is more normal than most of us.
Your poem is very well written and an inspiration for all parents… every child is special and every child is able to teach us so much…
The responsibility is ours to be willing to learn…
Thank you for sharing your thoughts in such a beautiful manner.
I wish Nivedita a long and healthy life… and for Medha … our love and support always!
- Divya
seema Reply:
March 24th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Thanks Divya….yes the best teacher is the child… who looks at the world in its purest form and reacts to it straight from the heart…..
Absolutely touching. Seema has given words to a feeling which many of us who know Medha have felt but never been able to express in such a beautiful way. I have known Medha since she was born and have seen her grow up. I have also seen the amount of pain and effort Nivedita and Tilak have taken to give her as pleasant a childhood as any other child, against great odds. They have never lost the battle against what nature has given them. I would say that Medha is what she is today because of the untiring efforts of her parents and the encouragement from their friends many of whom have expressed themselves here.
seema.sahaa Reply:
March 26th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Thank you… and Thank you for being such a pillar of support and strength to Medha’s parents always!!
am not understanding what to write.. it is beautiful, real and i feel privileged to be known by someone as wonderful, devoted and true as nivedita..
seema Reply:
March 26th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Thank you and I totally agree with you!
Dear Nivedita,
I don’t know where to start, I see you both almost everyday but I don’t think have ever told you how inspiring you are with your can do attitude , smiling face, always positive demeanour. Recently i was going through a tough patch in life i thought a lot about you and how very positive you are and it gave me strenght to deal with my own situation.
Hats of to you and Medha.
Seema your poem in some way reaffirms my faith in humanity… thank you.
regards
Prriti
seema.sahaa Reply:
March 27th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Thanks Prriti… you are so right about Nivedita…and it feels really good to be able to touch so many people with this poem…
Dear Nivedita and Seema,
The poem written on Medha made me feel emotional,the poet has aptly expressed every aspect of Medha’s life.I am overwhelmed about the depth of emotion exhibited in the poetry.Medha constantly delights me with her knowledge and understanding and I feel blessed to become a part of her life.As I have told Nivedita earlier too that I am continuosly learning from Medha and her.Seema Congratulations! for writing such a beautiful piece ,I feel a special connection with your work. Lata Shastry(Medhas Teacher)
seema Reply:
March 31st, 2009 at 12:24 am
Thanks Lataji, So kind of you… to express so much appreciation…Thanks for all that you and people like you do to make the life of the special child so much more meaningful and simple….
Dear nivedita(jhumadi),
You are great mother & inspiring for other. I know how hard work you did last 11 yrs & it still on
Dr. daisaku Ikeda said “The mother can be a source of sunlight in the home.The mother who never forgets a warm smile, who lives every day with purpose, will implant a positive image in the children that will endure for the rest of their lives.”
Dear Seema,
I know medha last 11 yrs she improve a lot because of her mother effort. special thanks to seema also for her beautiful poem, i think your poem give perfect picture about medha. Top of that she has sharing character which is lacking in other children. once again many many thanks for such a inspiring poem.
seema Reply:
March 31st, 2009 at 12:31 am
Medha is very dear to me like my own kids…. and I agree she is a wonderful child!
Hi Nivedita,
Till now, I just knew Medha was a special child without knowing the real background. I can understand (may be not to the core but still), what you have undergone. But its true that while everybody was staring at your daughter, your efforts never became less, and the smile Medha always has, must have been rewarding to you. Believe me, I am not alone in thinking, that you are truly inspirational to all. You have seen me undergo so much, but I have understood the depth of your ache, today. I just don’t have words…. hats off to you………
seema Reply:
March 31st, 2009 at 12:33 am
Thanks Deepa… i have seen what Nivedita has gone through and believe me she is the strongest and most optimistic person i have ever come across…….
“Silence is Golden” so oft said. Little the westerners realize that we say ” Maunam Sarvartham Sadhnam” ( i.e. Chup reh ke sab kuch sadha ja sakta hai.) After all maun(silence) is the highest state of man(mind). The zenith of meditative and contemplative state of mind , which very few of human beings achieve even after greying our hair. And Medha reaching that state in her childhood days is a testimony of how much gifted she is. after all she is Medha. and who says – what’s in the name ?
There is a lot in the name – her childhood brilliance as seen by the poetess. And that brilliance having grown over years, irradiating all over , conquering the darkness of autism and illuminating her world. The mom lighting up the lamp and protecting from the tempest of early years for Medha to become a beacon for herself and for other autistic friends to outshine others . Glow , glow and glow Medha .
Tamso ma sat gamaya…asto ma sach gamaya…..
Medha will certainly lead us to many more truths in the years to come…..what we read in the poem is just one of the truths discovered.
The purest one like the purest these kids are.Rare living specimens of pure unadulterated love – a feeling divine and that alone explains so many tearful eyes. After all in this world where even pure air and water are rarer than all 7 wonders ,how many times we come across pure feelings ? The purest feelings truthfully expressed in words by the poetess.
Let truth alone prevail as has prevailed since aeons.And medha and her friends are surely truth incarnated
dear nivedita the poem is very touching.medha has a special place in my heart.yes.she is btr than any child her age as her innocence is her biggest asset.
Dear Medha,
The poem about you was absolutely touching and beautiful.May God bless you and may you always do well in everything you do.My prayers are always there for your happiness and success in life 
Lots of love,
Surobhi Mashi
Dear Nivedita,
Thank you so much for making me read this poem. It brought back the memories of all those wonderful years I got to spend with Medha. There were times when I thought that its getting too much for me the work pressure working with five children at four different levels, but then just out of the blue Medha would walk upto my desk and touch my cheek gently and say ‘pyaar’…… and suddenly every thing became fine again and I knew my children trusted me and loved me.
You are a great parent and a dear friend. Medha has come a long way because of the hard work and dedication you have put in through the years.
seema Reply:
April 24th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Thank you Shipra and thank you for being such a wonderful teacher to Medha and all the other special children … they have all benefitted tremendously not just from your teaching but from all the love and care you showered on them…
God opened my eyes to a entirely new world with Christopher. Some see Autism as a curse, but to me it was a radiant light. My life is so much better because of my son. Thanks Seema for the beautiful words that only re-enforce what parents know..We are the lucky ones and god chooses well.
seema Reply:
May 3rd, 2009 at 11:18 am
Doug, Parents like you are exemplary in this world. God bless little Christopher and may all parents of special children learn from you how to face the challenge with such a big and such an optimistic outlook.
Dear Medha,
No surprise that you are such an excellent person as you mother is also a gem of a persons. Hats off to you n your mum. Lots of love.
shreemantee.
seema Reply:
May 5th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Thanks Shreemantee , you are so right….if only people in the world could be more accepting of special children and accept them as a gift of God the world would be such a better place to live in…
I have no words to express how deeply it has touched my heart. In this short time that i’ve known Nivedita, i’ve always found you a very strong & positive person . Even the doubts & fears u have are always stemming from the fact that you are continuously trying to give Medha & Rajit the best in the world & believe me you are giving her a wonderful life.
God has given you a special task becoz he knew that you have the ability to look after a beautiful child & give her as normal a life as possible. I would only want you to do one more thing, the way you take such good care of your kids & husband, Please do take care of yourself too, u deserve it! Enjoy your job & everything that u r doing, your innate strength will take you very far in life.
seema Reply:
May 10th, 2009 at 12:08 am
Thanks Divya, I totally agree that mothers like Nivedita are exemplary in this world.. and do wish people would not shy away from the harsh realities of life and live in their make believe world of happiness.. pain and problems are as much a part of life as is love and joy…
Nivedita:
the poem sums it all up for u and your wonderful daughter. Your perseverance and strong will to be there for her all along during her period of crisis is what got u all through. God bless her and all the luck for her future.
hope my tears knew a language….. its beautifully written, seema. god has been very kind to me, medha is my strength and source of knowledge… she is my purpose in life.God bless her.
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seema Reply:
March 19th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Your tears have no language and my heart no words to express what you as a mother have done for her.. If it was not for your determination, grit, fortitude and courage Medha would have never reached where she has….your optimism, faith in God and yourself are very commendable and exemplary…. I wish we had something akin to the noble prize, for “Special Mothers” you would win it hands down!!!
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dipannita Reply:
March 20th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Dear Nivedita,
The flow of wordsin the poem sum up the emotions and Medha in totality. Medha will always have a special place in my life, even though I was her ‘teacher’, but my learning came from her, and got reinforced by you, for helping me to see Medha for who she is, and not for who she isnt.
Medha tapped my strengths and honed my skills as a special educator. She made me teach beyond the books and no degree or diploma will teach me what Medha taught in her own wonderful way.
God bless you and Medha always.
Dipannita
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seema Reply:
March 20th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Thanks Dippanita, unfortunately I could not mention the commendable effort put in by all of you, the teachers, the special educators, the speech therapists and last but definitely not the least the doctors and counselors… its been a long journey but one which evokes the highest gratitude and indebtedness… to each of you, who seem to have been God-sent in your avatars to touch Medha’s life and make her reach this far…….we can never thank God enough for people like you…
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Lakshmi Reply:
March 20th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Dear Nivedita Di,
Sums all our children up. And most surely the tears are rolling down my cheeks. And they are tears of joy, tears of gratitude for being chosen to have one of my own.
Seema… I don’t know you… but a great big hug from another very ’special’ parent…
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seema Reply:
March 20th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Lakshmi, i know how difficult it must be for a ’special ” parent to read this and relate to it…but that is why you are special because you have the grit and determination to help your child overcome their problems …
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