Pratibha joined the Arpan family in April, 2014 when we were still experimenting with our new venture. At the time, we were not sure of our direction and therefore neither was she. But she went with the flow.
Now she loves to come to work and hates to miss a single day. She is wonderfully warm, and very hard-working. She is always dressed beautifully, has a ready welcoming smile on her face for all and works non-stop for hours on end without allowing boredom to set in. She perseveres. What a huge strength of character that is!
Her perseverance and dedication, as well as that of her doting family, led Pratibha to complete her Bharat Natyam arangetram a few years ago and very recently to give a fairly long sitar recital on stage. Rajeev Kamath, her father, shared with us Pratibha’s amazing journey. And in watching her play the sitar, as a lay person, it is totally unfathomable how she knows, and there is no doubt she does, what combinations of notes to play. She works hard and figures it out. Pratibha is also an individual who at times needs significant levels of support in carrying out the most mundane of activities.
Pratibha’s story, and there are many like that around the world, resonates of “Yes, We can!” In 2008, Barack Obama made history in his journey to the White House while he battled all kinds of odds. Persons with developmental disabilities continue to battle odds, day in and day out. Pratibha has proved she `can’ and given opportunities, so `can’ all others. It is up to the community to believe in them and support them — unconditionally.
