That is very true. One family I know who live in Walsall have 3 sons, the elder are GPs and the youngest was at Uni studying Medicine. Unfortunately something happened to him at Uni, and he didn't complete his course. He came home and just used to sit in front of the TV depressed. This state continued, he stopped takling and eventually lost control of his body and is now fully paralysed. He has been in this state for over a 15 years now I think. His parents are quite old ( in their 60s at least) and take full care of him. we went to see this family some tme last year because they knew my mother, it was the 1st time I had seen them. It was extremely sad to see this Singh in his state lying on a bed in the lounge. However he had some movement in his head and could move his eyes, and through that alone, we had the most amazing conversation - I found him to be a beautiful soul. I asked to massage my brothers legs with his permission and he shook his head. I told him I wanted to do it to make me feel better (selfish reasons) and he agreed. So much understanding. His father dedicated his life to looking after his son where many others would put them in care. He reads arth of Sukhmani Sahib to the Singh everyday without fail, and keeps his full Khalsa roop intact, combing his washing and combing kesh everyday - amazing family.
I believe those in real pain and unfortunate circumstances who have been shuned by society and family (like this family, who are not even allowed in their local Gurdwara because the stupid commitee won't let a 60 year old man use a wheel chair to take his paralysed son into the Guru's hazuri) have so much love (and gratitude) to give, it's on par with blessing from Akaal Purkh.
The Singh had utter joy in his eyes to see that someone of his age was in his home talking to him like a normal person. I haven't seen him since but intend to soon (sorry excuse is I am too busy in my rat race life - which is no excuse at all). I feel the Punjabi community is far behind the norm (in general terms, there are excepetions) when it comes to supporting disabled people in our extended families and community.
That is why I have respect beyond measure for Bhagat Puran Singh Ji - their whole life was a challenge to this backward, uncaring Punjabi mentality.
i work with special needs children and the innocence and simplicity they has is speechless...........i never thought i could have a conversation with someone throught eye movements............through expressions..............through touch.............words have no place when you are communicating through love.............
But I also believe children are born with a personality. I didn't believe this until I was blessed with a daughter. Her personality has been the same from the moment she was born and is clearly distinguishable from others in her age group. I believe children and born with certain gun and that it is for parents to recognise and enhance them.
It's interesting that until recent times, Sikhs used to live up to their name i.e. Bir Rassi names would create yodhai and shant rassi names would create sadhu lok.
Also the psychology and mental/spiritual state of a mother affects the childs development a long time before the baby is even born.
There are a lot of rituals that Khalsa mothers used to follow when they became pregnant to induce yodhvir gun in their to be born babies.
