Two Differently Abled Girls Will Represent India In The 2017 Special Olympics Winter Games

Two Girls from SOS Children’s Village Khajuri Kalan have been shortlisted in final round to represent India in the Special Olympics Winter Games, Austria 2017.

Sports and outdoor activities assist in balanced physical and mental development while simultaneously improving an individual’s lifestyle. The importance of games and sports can never be overrated; they provide lessons that cannot be obtained in a classroom.

SOS Children’s Village Khajuri Kalan located in Bhopal provides rehabilitation, long-term care, training and allied services for physically challenged as well as special-needs children who have been abandoned by their families. The SOS Children’s Village at Khajuri Kalan is a great example of SOS India’s belief in the wholesome development of children with proper care. A large number of children from Khajuri Kalan are athletically-gifted sportspersons and have successfully made their mark.

Two girls from Khajuri Kalan, Kiran and Vidushi, have been shortlisted in the final round to participate in the Special Olympic World Winter Games, 2017 in Austria. The Logical Indian describes the inspirational stories of these two girls.

Vidushi

Vidushi was brought home to SOS Children’s Village Varanasi as a 4-day-old baby in 1999. Later it was found that little Vidushi suffered from vocal & hearing impairment. SOS Children’s Village provided best possible treatment for Vidushi but, unfortunately, there was little improvement in her condition. Gradually, it was found that Vidushi is also mentally challenged. Following this, she was moved to SOS Children’s Village, Khajuri Kalan, at the age of 8.

After years of training, Vidushi is now able to express her views and feelings through sign language. In 2016, she participated in the Football National Championship, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh in which she led the team of Madhya Pradesh and won a Gold Medal.

Kiran

Kiran won the Gold Medal in National Football Championship which was held at Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh in 2016. However, this incredible feat in Kiran’s life was preceded by years of struggle and hard work. Kiran was brought home to SOS Children’s Village, Latur as a day-old baby in 1996. As she started growing up, it was found that she can hear but cannot speak and has a problem of drooling too. She finds chewing difficult too. Due to these issues, she was moved to Khajuri Kalan at the age of 8. Since her childhood days, she has shown interest in both studies as well as sports. She started taking part in sports at the age of 10 and started winning prizes and medals. In 2013, she participated in the Football National Championship (Special Olympics), Hissar, Haryana in which she led the team of Madhya Pradesh and won a Bronze Medal.

After that, she won Silver Medal in Badminton with her wonderful performance in National Championship Camp held in Mumbai in 2014. That year she did not get selected for World Winter Games, but that didn’t dampen her spirits or confidence. She kept training hard and went on to win medals at various levels. Noticing her keen interest in sports, her coach suggested that she undergo football training. The opportunity for this soon came knocking on her door and in 2015, she got the chance to go for football training to Yamuna Nagar, Haryana and came out as the winner at the National Championship. Seeing her glorious performance in National Championship Games, Special Olympic Bharat (SOB) has confirmed her position in International Competition (Winter Games) which will be held in Austria in 2017.

SOS Children’s Village Khajuri Kalan has been producing such athletes. Three SOS Children represented India at Special Olympics held in Los Angeles in 2015. Dolly, Shruti, and Vijay were part of Indian contingent to Los Angeles Special Olympics. Shruti fulfilled her dream by bringing gold in Cycling while Dolly won a silver medal in the 5km cycling event as well as a Bronze medal in the 10km time trial. Vijay was part of Indian Football team which finished fourth at LA2015.

The Logical Indian applauds the courage of Vidushi, Kiran, and all the other children who beat the odds, defy expectations, and inspire us all.