Sowbarnika

Sowbarnika lives in India with her older brother, Jaithran who has cerebral palsy and a severe intellectual disability. She works with her brother to run a special modeling account and advocates for disabilities and inclusion.

THE BOND BEYOND WORDS!

The beauty of a bond lies in the way our hearts are held when we are with them. It's even more beautiful if you know that you are held by just looking into their eyes.

I am Sowbarnika, Jaithran's younger sister but in reality life has made act as the eldest and i am happy for it.

Jaithran was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and Intellectual Disability (Severe) when he was a year and half.

The Initial years of my life with Jai was quite comfortable and happy. I was too young to understand his challenges but my parents made sure that I spent much time with him.

Jai used to fall sick very often and would be rushed to the hospital because seizures and Nervous Issues which are an associated condition of Cerebral Palsy. The times of seeing him in pain, my parents being anxious, the sound of the ambulance and the whole confusion that happens around has left me with much fear. I was very small that I couldn't comprehend on what was happening. But my parents never hid any of Jai's issue or challenges from me and that really made it easier for me to understand him a little better.

As few years passed I grew up to an age where I understood about his Challenges and also learnt to adjust to every situation. Jai had always been a loving brother and I loved him a way more than he did. But deep down I did not accept him fully. I always felt sad seeing my friends playing with their siblings. I remember the days when I had cried hard and questioned on why a special brother for me alone?

My prayers were just about that one magic and my brother would turn out to be normal.

As years passed I grew mature enough that I understood Jaithran's issue wasn't a disease that can be cured rather it's a condition that should be managed well, that we make it comfortable and happy for him.

Jai is such a Cheerful person that anyone who meets him would also feel warm and happy! His vibe has made a whole lot of difference in everyone of us.

I started to observe him and eventually learnt so many things. I slowly started to vent and express my feelings to him even though he doesn't respond. I really don't know what went between us but we understood each other just through our eyes. I could tell that he is hungry by looking at him. And he would come pull my hand knowing that I am feeling a bit low by just looking at me. There developed a strong sense of bond between us.

A few years down the lane I just looked back at my life and realised on how beautifully Jai has transformed me by just being himself. The thought of Jai must be a source of happiness to everyone and at the same time wanting to give him a purpose in life gave raise to something beautiful.

I Stepped and created an Instagram Account with an aim of training Jai as a Special Model.

Jai is a young, handsome and charismatic person. He could just make anyone fall for his smile and yes, eyes of course, it has everything!

This was the main reason for me to try. I started it up with a plan of posting about Jai and also about different disabilities as a little step towards an inclusive society.

The plan just hit the sky that Jai has now been modelling for different brands and stores. Its a small step but is Big leap for Jai. It has made Jai to adjust to different places, made him learn on behaving at a public place, felt confident in dressing up and has helped him to understand his own body.

The everyday learnings just happened so seamlessly and i am today in a place where I would proudly say that I have the best brother who has beautifully moulded me. I can never find anyone better than him.

There are a number of learnings that I have had from Jai but the most beautiful one is that "Little things aren't Little"

And so is our little joy in this bond that we shall keep cherishing forever and ever!