Healing power of nature

It was a normal working day at the institute, with everyone busy in their daily chores. Suddenly, there was commotion outside my room. As I ventured out to see its cause, I saw a young boy struggling to release himself from the clutches of a middle aged man, as another man and a woman looked on. The boy was about 18 years old. I was told the middle aged man was his uncle and other man and woman were his parents.

Together, along with a colleague of mine we literally dragged the boy into my office. The boy, I noticed, was heavily built and his uncle was struggling to restrain him. His name was Narasimha and true to the name he was wild and ferocious like a lion.

Narasimha was in a rage that day and he was in no position to follow any of the instructions given. He was swinging his hands wildly, hurting people around him in the process. I guessed he was upset to come to a new place and meet strangers.

Narasimha’s tantrums continued unabated and hence we decided to restrain him. We had no choice but to tie his hands so he would stop swinging them. He, however, continued to struggle and tried his best to release his hands. After a while he ran back to his car, as it was locked, he repeatedly banged his head to the car door. Once inside the car Narasimha chewed his shirt collar, mumbled to himself, giggled and cried. All his attention was focused on untying himself. I noticed that he was unresponsive to calls and never made eye contact with anyone.

I asked his mother to untie him. Once free he stared at his hands for a few seconds, then clapped, bit his hands and with one hand in his mouth hummed movie songs known to him. He pulled out a button of his shirt with his other hand and threw it away! As we watched him from outside the car Narasimha continued his activities, rocking his body back and forth.

At first glance it appeared he had most of the symptoms of autism. Leaving Narasimha in the car with the uncle to guard him, we made our way back to my office. Once inside, before I could ask, Narasimha’s mother gave vent to her feelings.

She said:

“He doesn’t listen to any one, behaves as he likes, I have to take care of him even when he goes to toilet, bathe him and dress him. He suddenly gets violent for no reason, doesn’t even know how to eat properly, grabs things that he wants, after doing so much to him he beats me so badly, (showing her bruised hand), I can’t bear with him anymore. You please keep him in your hostel and punish him in any manner.”

She spoke till she was literally out of breath!

Although they have taken care of him for 18 long years, they had deprived him of treatment, therapy or any sort of training. Now, he was uncontrollable and they wanted to get rid of him, their son! Initially one may feel the parents are rude to get rid of their troubled child, but they are helpless as they are unaware of the disorder affecting him. He was duly admitted into our institute.

By the time the formalities were complete, it was lunch time. The parents enacted and conveyed to Narasimha to come for lunch. He was hungry and hence followed them without any fuss. He grabbed the plate and ate the food messily like a child, spilling it all over.

Later that day the parents left the institute, leaving Narasimha and his uncle behind. The uncle was asked to stay till the time he gets used to the new environment. I noticed Narasimha didn’t show any emotions when his parents departed.

In the sprawling campus of the institute Narasimha was happy to walk free doing what he wanted to do. In the course of his stay he was urged to feel the things around him by touching them. He touched the cows, plants and trees; this “tactile” input (a sense of touch) soothed and calmed him. Along with this, he also underwent other systematic therapies to aid his recovery. As days passed Narasimha began to respond and follow instructions.

The serene environment and greenery had a positive impact on Narasimha and other kids with special needs. They were exposed to auditory, visual and tactile stimuli of birds, animals, plants, soil, rain and the sun. Along with this they were provided specific therapy, education and training to empower them to be self-reliant.

Now, after a year of therapy and training, a positive transformation can be seen in Narasimha, he is independent and takes care of himself. He feeds the cattle, waters the plants and helps other kids in his own way. He also wishes a “Namaste” to all visitors arriving at the institute.

Narasimha, after suffering from social disability, without access to therapy and training had struggled for eighteen full years, traumatizing his parents in the process.  Now, after therapy and specific training, he is able to transform himself into a dignified individual within a span of one year. This is a truly wonderful development and as a Psychologist I consider his progress and improvement as a GIFT OF NATURE.

Champa Jaiprakash