Our Tounge Ties

Namaste all!


So I finally ventured out of the hotel today to send some of you postcards after a 48 hour dizzyspell and have had a lot of time to think when I'm not sleeping the day away, reading, or joining the group for meals. Although I've missed a little bit of fun the past 2 days @ Sabera and clubbing, they have all been great with filling me in and allowing me to experience it through them. We share through reflection every evening in different ways and it's always a great way to see where everyone's at, the days experiences, and overall response to the work and life we're partaking in, in Kolkata. Mom & Dad--I went aganist the normal Meghan ways and actually slept and did nothing and am feeling 100% this evening :) All is good and ibuprofen took care of business.

Since I have had ungodly amounts of time to think, I have been thinking about missing my site and the boy I work with one-on-one a lot. The site I volunteer at is Daya Dan. This home houses children who have been adopted and have phsyical and mental handicaps. Mom told me before I left that I probably couldn't handle it emotionally (as tears are a regular thing for me even in VT!), but I've been pleasantly surprised that my connection with these children has morphed itself into endless energy with them with no tears as of yet. The structure of the floor I am on (which is for the higher functioning boys) involves prayer, meditation, laundry, cleaning, a 2 hour 1-on-1 Tutoring or Physical Therapy block, and then play time before lunch which turns into the American volunteers teaching the kids how to dance to Disney music vs. the Sister's choice of Praise and Worship tunes. Each boy has his own case and story, but I was pleasantly surprised here that they do not label the children with their story like we sometimes do in the states--the bio's are available to us though for accuracy when teaching and working with them. They challenge the boys to do everything themselves and if they physcially can't walk, you witness often a younger and older boy taking hold of the immobile child's arms and legs and moving him where he needs to be! I sit back often while watching this and am amazed that a 6 yr old who is often physically handicapped in his own way doesn't hesitate to offer his "brother" that helping hand multiple times a day.

The floor I am on is really only for long-term volunteers so those I work with have been there or plan to be there for over 6 weeks. They do this so the boys PT and tutor plans can actually make progress. I was pleasantly surprised when we were getting placed that the sister asked if I felt comfortable teaching a 9 yr. old boy 1-on-1 for the entire 3 weeks. I was delighted--what more could I ask for? Although I hesitate to share his story, it is hopeful to see how a setting like this home can be so positive to his learning. Dilip is 9 and was adopted by the sisters 2 years ago. They took him in and after being assessed he was diagnosed with hyperactivity and autism. He was also mute until his adoption because he was toungue tied until he had a procedure to correct it.

When he was trailing off during our lesson on learning Cat, Dog, and Car he stared off into the depths of the fan blowing overhead...I waited the usual 30 seconds until he returned his attention and he touched his lip. He had a massive canker sore inside his mouth. All morning he had been chipper, but was touching it constantly--I just hadn't thought anything of him touching his lip. Until he pulled his lip down I had no idea-he did not complain once. I myself HATE canker sores and know how annoying they can be. After touching his lip he proceeded to touch my lip (all silently). He wanted to see that area of my lip to see if I had what he had. I shook my head no after showing him that area, but he immediately stuck his hands into my mouth to open my teeth wider. I was confused, but went along with it as he needs 10-15 min. breaks and we'd only been off the lesson for about 5! Kids always love looking at adults teeth so what the heck--I let him go at it. Immediately he started pushing on my own tounge tie and he released his hands laughing so joyously screaming "Auntie's toungue! Auntie's toungue!" Inside I was laughing to myself because my silly tounge tie has never had a purpose in my entire 22 years besides being the butt of jokes between my siblings, and the few people who know about it, as something they will cut in the middle of the night! He then motioned for me to unhinge the hooks that hold his desk tray on, I let him out of his desk (which he's a runner w/ a lot of energy so that was risky but I knew he needed to do something and god forbid it was bathroom related!) He embraced me with the most gentle hug I think I have ever received and kissed me on both cheeks.

There is something beautiful about spending time with someone you can connect with on a deeper than surfaced level. Who knew my tounge tie would bridge our relationship from just another volunteer here to teach him his ABC's and 123's to someone to greet enthusiastically each morning from his favorite spot in the MCDonald's like ball pit! I knew my time with Dilip so far had been more than wonderful, but this moment gave me even more excitement for the next week and a half with him because of the simple excitement his discovery had on him! The remainder of the morning as the other volunteers happily danced to "Under the Sea", Dilip placed his feet on my feet, wrapped his arms into a tight embrace around my back and said, "Auntie dance. Dilip dance." We danced for about 20 straight minutes without a care in the world! Each day we dance now the same way after the end of a morning filled with structure and activities...what more could I ask for?

-Meghan
P.S.-Sumeya (or if someone in Mrs. Orlando's class can tell her!) I found you the best Indian Chocolate...just wait!