Evening of Song and Dance by Differently Abled Girl Guides:

Indomitable spirit

Ishara Jayawardane

Anyone who walked into the Galle Face Hotel last Tuesday for the Evening of Song and Dance, thinking they were attending just another concert by the differently abled, would have had another thing coming. The Differently Abled Girl Guides, some sight impaired and others, hearing impaired, all performed extremely well.

The brochure distributed among the audience the well known lines of song;

"Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly

Birds fly over the rainbow, why then oh why can't I ?"

An apt phrase. The girls were so enthusiastic and eager to entertain that it was heartrending. Their performance was an affirmation of what we were all taught when we were children - failures are the pillars of success. It is hard to imagine the long hours of hard work and striving that went on to it.

But what was most impressive was the courage they liberally demonstrated. They were sight impaired yes, hearing impaired, yes. Their impairments caused difficulties for them. But they still pulled it off with flying colours. Concerts like this are so vital because it helps these girls to develop their strengths.

The participating institutions were Supem Uyana, Gonapinuwela; Meth Mihira, special education centre, Moratuwa; Dayamina Nugegoda; Chithra Lane School for Special Children; School for the hearing impaired, Ratmalana; School for the sight impaired, Ratmalana; Sri Chandrasekera school for the hearing impaired, Moratuwa; Nuffield school for the hearing impaired and sight impaired Kaithady, Jaffna and Moratuwa home for the differently able girls.

Special mention must be made about live wire Marlyn Dissanayaka, the director and her efficient organizing committee. In a message published in the brochure Ladies College Principal, Nirmali Wickremesinghe - a patron - stated: "At Ladies College we are 'One Family Unbroken' and our family consists of children and teachers of different abilities."

The Ladies College has always been committed to inclusive education. Their special education unit was established in 2004. "The children in this section are loved by all and are very much a part of our family," went the statement. They have taken yet another step forward by employing two young women with Down Syndrome. "They are well accepted members of the staff."

Ladies college girl guides are ever committed to encompassing the differently abled children into every facet of their lives. Recently a sports meet was held in the school and the guides involved themselves totally and sincerely to make it special for their special friends. Incidentally the Ladies College grounds will be the venue for the International Camp in planning for differently abled guides.