He’s super dad for 70 kids!

AHMEDABAD: As is the case with most men, fatherhood was a pleasantly life-changing event for 56-year-old businessman Anup Parikh. As he saw his son, Sahil, grow up Parikh realized that he had a special child — an extremely hyperactive child, in fact. While seeking therapy for his son, Parikh was inspired and established a school for special children in Gandhinagar that has enrolled more than 70 children so far.
“Sahil was so hyperactive that he was denied admission in several schools.People refused to visit our home because he was extremely restless,” said Parikh, who also has a daughter who is elder to Sahil. “His condition did not improve despite several forms of therapy and treatment,” Parikh said. “But I was not ready to give up. I always believed that each child has potential and with love and patience, my son’s condition can improve.”
Parikh, who owns a transport company, said his confidence was boosted when he met a doctor couple — Deepali and Chirag Upadhyay — who specialize in education of special children. “Their methods were different, but I could see a clear difference in Sahil’s overall conduct,” Parikh said. “That’s when I realized that just like my son, other special children deserve a better life.”
One thing led to another and Vishesh Education Centre, a school for special children, was established. Parikh has been funding the school in his individual capacity and has been successfully running it for two years. Nine teachers have been appointed at the school, where people in the broad age group of four to 24 are enrolled. “Fees range from Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 per month. However, parents pay what they can afford,” Parikh said.
“My eight-year-old son Kalp’s brain was not developed and thus, he remained very hyperactive. Till a year ago, he used to bite people,” said Bhupendra Patel, a resident of Koba, whose son is enrolled at the centre. “He faced difficulties in sitting or eating by himself. However, over a year, he has been showing significant improvement. He is doing several routine activities independently and I am really happy to see him so confident and happy.”
Sahil was enrolled in a regular school after taking therapy. However, Parikh has not ceased to make lives of other kids better. He is also strongly pushing for awareness among parents about children with special needs. “Taking care of special kids is often frustrating for parents because at the end of the day, the one who cares is in deep pain too,” he said. “However, our motto is to support such parents and spread the message that love and patience can make the life of any child better.”