Мой фон

I am a counselor by profession and a dance movement therapist as well. I started working for Access Life NGO, where there are kids undergoing cancer treatment. I am basically from Nagpur and shifted to Mumbai four years ago. In the first year, I met Ankit, who is the Founder of Access Life NGO. Since I had just finished my master's and was looking for opportunities, I started working with the kids. I have been with the kids for the last two years, and my heart goes out to the kids fighting bravely with cancer.

Я пытался найти работу в Мумбаи, и один из моих друзей попросил меня посетить неправительственную организацию и спросить, могу ли я там консультировать, и они согласились. Я думаю, что Вселенная просто хотела, чтобы я как-то служил детям, и у меня просто появилась подходящая возможность в нужное время.

Диагностика рака

Both my grandfather and my cousin had cancer. My cousin was just four years old when she was diagnosed with eye cancer. I was very close to her. Initially, her one eye was removed because of cancer, so she could partially see. The cancer had spread to both eyes, so we had to remove both her eyes. She was just four, and on October 28, she left the world. My grandmother used to take care of her a lot. I was so young when this happened.

У моего деда было Рак простаты. Он жаловался на боли в животе. Ему не пришлось через многое пройти. Ему только что поставили диагноз, и он скончался через два дня после постановки диагноза, поэтому мы благодарны, что ему не пришлось терпеть сильную боль.

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Опыт работы с детьми

Я был очень молод, когда у моего двоюродного брата диагностировали рак, и тогда я еще не знал, что в будущем буду служить детям, которые борются с раком. Всякий раз, когда я вижу ребенка, я вспоминаю о своей сестре.

Я использую разные средства, такие как искусство, консультирование, рисование, веселые игры, танцевальные движения, а иногда и просто обычные истории, чтобы мотивировать детей.

I always used to play games with them. I always used to ask them about their wishes, and they always had a long list of what they wanted to do after they were free from cancer. So through games, I used to help them understand that we have certain boundaries that we cannot cross, and only when we recover can we cross those boundaries.

I would give them metaphorical examples and also engage in art therapy with them. I would provide them with paper and colors, and we would have themes where we needed to create things we wanted to do in life. The stories that would emerge were always beautiful. Kids always inspire a lot; they just spread joy everywhere.

We had days when kids would share what they were going through, and I assured them that I would not share that with anyone. One of the kids I started my first counseling sessions with said that she wanted to become an IPS officer and shared every step that she had planned for her future. After a few years, I learned that she had passed away. I spoke to her mother later.

Уроки детей

I learned to be patient. We make our lives very complicated, but kids made me realize that we can make our lives simpler. I feel that I wasn't doing anything for the kids; the kids were doing everything for me.

Я человек, который боится инъекций, и я думаю, что благодаря этим детям мне стало лучше. Мы навещаем их каждый понедельник, и однажды, когда мы рассказывали истории, дети сказали мне, что теперь инъекции — их лучшие друзья, потому что у них появился иммунитет к инъекциям. Все они рассказали мне разные истории о том, как преодолели свои страхи.

I am a person terrified of injections, and I think it got better because of these kids. We visit them every Monday, and one day while we were storytelling, the kids told me that injections are their best friends now because they have become so immune to injections. They all shared various stories about how they overcame their fears.

Дети также научили меня принимать себя. Они не сравнивают себя друг с другом; у них нет никаких препятствий для общения друг с другом.

My life has changed a lot since I started counseling kids. Accepting myself the way I am is one of the biggest lessons I learned from kids. I used to feel inferior, but being with kids and experiencing their company made me realize that I am good just the way I am.

Консультации для лиц, осуществляющих уход

Я бы посоветовал и родителям. Консультировать родителей довольно сложно, потому что они задаются вопросом, в чем была ошибка, из-за которой их ребенок заболел раком.

Caregivers also taught me a lot. Even after what they are going through, they never lose hope. They always have faith. I make parents understand that it's not their fault that their kid got cancer. I listen to them because I believe that listening is very important. I ask them specific questions, and they eventually realize that it's not their fault.

Прощальное сообщение

That's excellent advice! Taking care of ourselves is crucial, and it's not selfish to prioritize our well-being. It's also important not to blame ourselves for things beyond our control. Being positive and reaching out for support when needed can make a big difference. And yes, doing more of what brings us joy is always a good idea. Thanks for sharing such valuable insights!