“identity beyond illness” Prayaan, meaning “Journey,” symbolizes a new beginning and a path forward toward growth and transformation. The project represents an opportunity for adolescents to embark on a meaningful journey of learning, empowerment, and personal development through structured support and guidance. Prayaan is an adolescent development initiative launched by Mobility in Dystrophy (MIND) Trust in 2021. The project focuses on nurturing the personal growth and leadership potential of adolescents, particularly those living with Muscular Dystrophy (MD) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Recognizing the unique challenges faced by these young individuals, the program aims to create a supportive environment where they can develop confidence, resilience, and life skills. A total of 60 adolescents have successfully completed the Prayaan program. The initiative is designed to address the specific social, emotional, and developmental needs of adolescents with MD and SMA. Along with academic and personal guidance, the project places strong emphasis on improving psychosocial well-being and encouraging active participation in society. Through mentoring, interactive learning sessions, and capacity-building activities, Prayaan works to cultivate essential leadership qualities among participants. The program encourages adolescents to discover their potential, strengthen their decision-making abilities, and develop the confidence needed to pursue their aspirations.
The session includes fun games, workouts to improve cognitive skills, and short speeches. The participants’ abilities are always praised. During the session, children’s videos, YouTube links, as well as other entertaining videos and games are played. Their craftsmanship, singing, and mimicking are also encouraged to shine.
Every child takes an active part in each session of Prayaan. Parents were delighted to notice the positive changes in their children within just ten sessions. They are enthusiastic about the prospect of continuing this programme. Every month, the children from the initial batch get together for a talk.
Dr. Arun Sadasivan (Montfort Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore) and Dr. Manjusha Warrier G (Christ University, Bangalore) led and arranged Prayaan’s sessions, where we saw the beautiful convergence of music, games, and joy. Members of the MinD trust, Krishnakumar K.K, Divya.S, and Muhammed Jabir, assisted the day-to-day progress. The initiative, which was designed for the MinD trust’s children, has flourished and gained great significance.
Prayaan’s coordinators are preparing to start the next session with a fresh group of 15 youngsters. Every child in Prayaan yearns to visit the beaches. It will be completed with the help of volunteers in their respective districts once the Covid pandemic situation has passed.
We hope to live in a community where we can help children have a decent and happy life by conquering the diseases and limitations caused by muscular dystrophy and spinal atrophy. They too like all of us have every right as well as the ability to lead a happy and fulfilling life. They have formed a group in which they can express their emotions and create connections through Prayaan. We’d like to extend our programme to other differently-abled children to provide them with a similar chance to what we accomplished here and encourage them to improve the benefits they have gained through this programme.
Mobility in Dystrophy (MIND) Trust was formed in 2017, by us patients suffering from Muscular Dystrophy (MD) & Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). In 2016, we started off as a small Whatsapp group of patients reaching out to each other.
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