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WCCLF, through the use of Art Based Therapies has brought phenomenal changes in the residents of Sadhana village . Few instance of remarkable changes noticed in the residents after 9 months of therapy :
HEERA
Heera does not participate in any activity and prefers to sit in one place throughout the day. It takes effort to make her move. As a result of this lack of movement, she has joint problems. Her fingers are swollen due to lack of use. But now, she enjoys participating in the drumming activity and because of that the swelling in her fingers is gone, her mind is engaged and we have started making conversations with her.
- SADHANA VILLAGE Documentation Nov 2003.
ANUPA
After a fight during the drama therapy session, Anupa threw a tantrum and walked out of the room. This was usual for her. But she came back after a while and apologized to the whole group for disrupting the session (of her own accord) and resumed participation. This was different from her usual behavior.
- SADHANA VILLAGE Documentation Nov 2003
OMKAR
"Dada, I remember what we did in the last session!"
Omkar has epileptic fits. For this he gets medication. Very strong doses of antibiotics. Due to these drugs he is "stoned" most of the time. He gets drowsy, has constant headaches and gets disoriented. Most work done by way of arts-based therapies gets undone because of the side effects of the drugs. A facilitator of WCCLF recommended his family and the institute to a brilliant homeopathic doctor. Omkar's medication is being complemented with homeopathy. The long-term objective is to stop delivery of antibiotics into his system. Already the change is visible as he is happier, his memory has improved drastically, and is more present to his surroundings. In short, he doesn't feel so sick anymore.
- SADHANA VILLAGE Documentation Nov 2003 (as written by Zubin in his diary.)
Even during eating his meals, omkar has to get up and walk around at least 3 times. He is hyperactive and suffers from epileptic fits. But during the drum circle session, he is able to sit and participate in the activity for 1 hour at a stretch without losing focus. Can this success be transferred to his daily life? YES! Volunteers and caregivers agree that he has become more calm and aware since the process has begun.
- SADHANA VILLAGE Documentation June 2003
UTKALA
Good Sky
Good Rain
Green Trees Grow Again
- HAIKU BY Utkala (special friend, Sadhana Village)
XAVIER
"Children Feel Something,
Child Marvelous is bound.
Children never get tired."
-Words written by Xavier (Special Friend, Sadhana Village). Xavier cannot speak, and these words were written by him and given to Mr. Zubin Balsara during the drum circle session. As we encourage him to write, we are getting a chance to see Xavier's world.
- Up to this date, nobody in Sadhana Village has seen Xavier get upset, angry or depressed. He is perfect. His spirit shines through in spite of his lack of words. He helps Vasanti to cross the road; he makes sure there are enough chairs for everyone in the room. In fact, Caregivers at Sadhana Village are a little concerned that Xavier never gets angry. Could it be that he is above these trivial emotional disturbances? We think so!
MOHAK
Mohak has not spoken since the past 7 years. He can speak but refuses to speak because he is very sad that his siblings have institutionalized him. Mohak loves music and dancing. During the past 3 sessions of Individual sessions, Mohak has started speaking words. Sometimes he speaks about 10 words during 20 minutes. He likes a hindi song "Kya Hua Tera Vada", and in the music therapy sessions, he sings the song.
- Sadhana Village documentation July 2003
VASANTI
Vasanti can speak, but her speech is not clear. After drama therapy sessions and emphasis on voice work, her speech is getting clearer. Clarity in speech has a positive impact on her self-esteem, and she is now seen eating with the group at dinner time, whereas previously she preferred to be alone.
- Sadhana Village documentation Nov 2003
APPA
Appa is in his late 40's. He had not spoken more than yes or no for years. He would use gestures, mostly. During the drama therapy intervention, however, he initially would make sounds, and then formed words - first to say his name clearly, then to sing his line (a song made by special friends about their own flower) clearly, without prompting, with movement. A thrilling development happened on the day, when after the closing meditation and ritual, I asked, if anyone wanted to say anything. Bappa was the only one who answered affirmatively - and then put his hand on his chest and said aloud " I am Bappa speaking". It came as a surprise even to the other special friends, and after a stunned silence, everyone started clapping in applause for him. Thereon, he has been expressing himself physically as well as verbally, and in the latest session, on the exercise "whom do you miss the most?", he looked into my eyes and said "you!".
- Sadhana Village documentation Jan 2004
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