By Susan Narjala | Corporate Communications Manager
If Gopi could speak using words you and I could understand, he would say, “Thank you.” This young man sat alone, week after week, at the Special Needs Home for Men. He was reluctant to communicate with anyone. He knew his spot in the Home and stayed there – no one thought it would make a difference to engage him in a conversation or game. He was brushed aside. At least till two of our volunteers decided to invest in Gopi’s life.
Rounak and Sunny decided to lend Gopi a hand. Literally. Every visit, the two determined volunteers would help Gopi to his feet, hold his arms and take him for a short walk. Every visit they saw a change in Gopi. A small change. But enough to give the volunteers hope to stick with it. They then decided to engage him through games. The young volunteers would roll the ball to him, expecting him to catch it. Gopi looked on listlessly, ignoring the ball. But, slowly, that changed too.
One day, as our volunteers rolled the ball to him, Gopi grabbed it. To their amazement, he effortlessly threw the ball back to them. It was a turning point for Gopi. He no longer sits alone in the corner. He knows the U&I volunteers and while he may not have words, he does have a beautiful smile and an enthusiastic clap. Your support makes it possible for us to continue to give Gopi the care he deserves at the Men’s Home. Gopi may not say thank you with his words. But he does smile and clap in his unique way to show his thanks.
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