Nature’s biggest gift

The human mind is undoubtedly a miracle and a gift bestowed upon us by the Creator. The beauty of thought, the intrigue of imagination and the power of reasoning are a few of the many attributes that a well trained brain enhances. Through these natural endowments, we learn and develop self control, the art of planning and abstract thought.

It is said that ‘the human eye is utterly passive, only the brain can see’. This means that all our bodily functions are controlled by the brain. Simple body movements like raising a finger to standing up on our two feet could not have been possible without the brain, which controls the entire nervous system. In essence, all of us are completely dependent upon the complex and ingenious biological mechanism that resides in our skulls and processes information seamlessly to construct the most perfect of bodily integrations.

Yes readers, a properly functioning brain is a miracle, a miracle that we take for granted. Take a moment to think about life without it. A life without thinking, a life without reasoning, a life without purpose! Now think of people who are mentally challenged. What lives do they lead? What purpose do their lives have? What fault is theirs in being dependent upon someone else, to be taken to the toilet and be cleaned after? 

It is not their fault that they have not been granted with this greatest of nature’s gifts. Yet they are special, special because they need us, we who have the mental power to look after them and not shun them but accept them with open arms and love them. Yes such a branch of special people reside in Dar-ul-Sukun in Karachi.

When I went there with the rest of my classmates for a university project, till the time I actually entered Dar-ul-Sukun, it was just a project. Like every student, I wanted my marks and to get done with the course smoothly but believe me the moment I entered that institution, my mind was engulfed by the strongest feeling of helplessness I have ever experienced. I could not believe that a world like this could exist, that injustice of this manner could be done to such a magnitude by nature.

The special people over there need us, need our love and affection. All that they crave for is a little bit of our precious times. The patients over there have varying degrees of mental illness, and some can react more and are more aware of their senses than others. All in all however, all occupants are incapable of living normal lives and becoming a part of normal society. That is why when we went there to have a little party, with snacks and music and a bit of dancing, they swarm in flocks and took our lead. We all became a merry little group, ignoring the outside world and making a temporary little world of our own there.

The little world that we built then, needs to be made more often and you can’t build it by money, for they are only bills at the end of the day. Cash donations along with personal interaction can bring smiles to the faces of many special children in Dar-ul-Sukun, across Pakistan and throughout the globe. Let’s come together today to make a pledge, for doing whatever we can in our capacities to bring moments of happiness and joy to those who have forgotten how to laugh and smile.

Use your mind well, for you are lucky to have it!

Obaid Patel