Integr8, a programme of the Christian disability charity Through the Roof, wants to address this and aims to see every disabled child in developing countries fulfil their God-given potential. In August the charity’s first education mission enabled a team of teachers to travel to South India to provide training in working with disabled children to teachers, Christian leaders and community workers.

A key team-member, and unique aspect of the trip, was 17 year-old Abigail, who has Asperger’s syndrome and Dyspraxia, who shared her personal experience of disability with teachers. Delegates said that Abigail had ‘inspired and challenged’ them to provide appropriate support for disabled children.

Team leader, Tim Wood, said “During our trip, we delivered training to around 120 teachers, headteachers, community workers and Christian leaders, equipping them with new skills and strategies to help disabled children fulfil their potential – if each of those teachers were to use these new methods to make a difference to just five children, our trip will have benefited 600 disabled children!”

Teachers and community workers were enthused and encouraged by the course and arranged to meet together again. Attendees also planned to pass on Integr8’s training to other teachers, recognising the potential, needs and capabilities of young disabled people and raising standards in special education.

Integr8 plans to return to India in 2009 to train new teachers and build on the initial training, and is now planning other international trips.

On Sunday 7th December at 4pm, Integr8’s very own Tim Wood and young role model, Abigail Smith, spoke on Premier Radio about Integr8’s trip to India. Listen in London digitally on DAB radio, or 1305, 1332, 1413 MW. In the UK on Sky Digital 0123, Virgin Media 968, Freeview 725 and throughout the World on their website.

• * Young role model, Abigail, gave a talk to the teachers in India – Follow this link to read Abigail’s presentation
• * Follow this link to download the Integr8 International Mission Trip Application Form.

Hello, my name is Abigail. I am 17 years old and I’m at college studying health and social care. My interests are guiding – I am a Young Leader and a Ranger, I help at Sunday School and participate in the Youth Group at church. I like watching Neighbours (which is an Australian soap) and doing craft activities. I have dyspraxia and aspergers syndrome.

What are dyspraxia and aspergers syndrome?

Dyspraxia is a condition which affects coordination, balance, fine motor skills, language and thought. I have it mildly and for me it has meant that amongst other things, my spelling and handwriting are poor. I was told that I can learn to do things like writing or riding a bike, but it takes a lot longer to learn. So I have had to work hard.

Aspergers Syndrome is on the autistic spectrum and is a social learning disorder. People with aspergers often have trouble making friends and they find changes to things difficult. For example, having a new kitchen at home. Having the new kitchen will be nice but I don’t like the process of getting it. I find it hard to understand what is going on quite often because I don’t pick up what people mean when they talk. I hear their words, but not their tone of voice, their facial expressions or body language. I often don’t understand jokes.

Although I’ve looked forward to coming to India, it has not been easy because there have been a lot of things to adapt to such as a different diet, climate, daily routine and the pace of the trip.

Other personal experience of disability

I don’t just have experience with learning difficulties, I also have experience with physical difficulties. My brother has spina bifida and is a wheelchair user. He is also a very good inspiration as he is a wheelchair athlete whose aim is to compete in the 2012 London Paralympics.

He was so disabled that when he was born the doctors didn’t know whether to recommend that he have an operation to survive or that he should be left to let nature take its course. He is paralysed below the waist and gets around independently using his wheelchair. He is a great inspiration because he just gets on with things and has done things that normal able bodied people haven’t done. Such as rock climbing, canoeing and camping. He has achieved these things by shear determination and the help of specialist equipment and people around him. People who are willing and able to find ways to allow him to do things were the most important. So often he just wanted to do what all his friends did. He went to a mainstream school and has just finished his GCSEs. He is going to college next year to study sport.

Why am I here?

I am here firstly because I am working towards my Queens Guide. One of the sections I have to do some Community Action. I saw Tim’s article about needing somebody over 16 with a disability to go on a mission trip and offered as it fitted in nicely. I am interested in helping disabled people and I think I might like to work with them eventually. I believe God wanted me to come on the trip.

I also liked the idea of travelling and seeing new places.

Achievements

At secondary school I was a prefect and I got numerous awards at Prize Giving. Last year I got one of the special awards which was the Miss Fraser Award for Excellence in Vocational Education. Two years earlier I was a member of the school’s Mock Trial Team which got through to the national finals. I also took part in a government video called’ Removing Barriers to Achievement’. This was about young people who had various difficulties achieving their potential.

Last year I passed all my exams gaining GCSEs in English, maths, science and drama. I also got an ‘A’ grade in the citizenship short course and a distinction in the BTEC in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism. In PE I passed my Junior Sports Leadership Award.

I achieved all this at secondary school because I had the right kind of support. When I was at primary school I did not get much help because my conditions had not been diagnosed. I found it very hard and stressful at primary school and was bullied. When I was given the right kind of support at secondary school I was a lot happier and could achieve my full potential.

My tips to other young people with aspergers or other disabilities

If you want to do things just give them a go.
It may take you longer, don’t worry.
Don’t underestimate yourself.

My tips on how to help young people with disabilities

They really need people who care about them, whether teachers, family or the wider community, believing in myself and then making an effort was very important. Anything you can do to help young people do this would be good.

Don’t worry if you feel short of equipment, although it is useful just use what you have. Your attitude, encouragement and belief in the students is far more important.

I really believe that God made us all to be just like Him. It doesn’t matter who you are. Whether you hop along on one leg or run around on two. God still loves you all the same. Now listen here, when you’re sad and lonely and feel like no one else cares, just remember that the lord Jesus Christ cares for you no matter who you are.

The evening was organised by two Elders of the church in Hemel Hempstead, both of whom were team-members on an innovative mission trip to India last year with Through the Roof.

According to the World Health Organisation, “98% of disabled children in developing countries do not receive an education” so the charity’s Integr8 programme provides the opportunity for UK Christians who work with children with Special Educational Needs to make a lasting difference

50 people attended the evening and saw a DVD of the work in India where the team trained and resourced 120 teachers and community leaders to recognise and release the full potential of disabled children.

AFC raised over £400 for the project which is now looking for funds and volunteers to travel to Guatemala – Latin America’s second poorest country this summer – For more information on the trip or if you would like to organise an ‘Indian evening’ to raise awareness and funds, please contact: tel: 01372 749955 or follow this link to email Through the

98% of disabled children in developing countries don’t receive an education so the team of six pioneers gather at Heathrow airport for the first-ever Integr8 International trip on a mission to serve and train teachers to include disabled children in education. Yikes! Help us God.  8 hour flight to Mumbai lands late that night.

Tuesday 19th August

Change planes in Mumbai for 2 hour flight to Chennai then next flight to Hyderabad is delayed. One of our team-members, Abigail, is our young role model with personal experience of disability. She has Aspergers and unfortunately is visibly upset by not knowing when the plane might leave. Say a quick prayer for her. Soon she is ok again.

Plane touches down in Hyderabad and we’re greeted by a friendly face – Nirmal from the Polio centre, who I know from my recce last year. 5 hour minibus ride through torrential downpour to our destination in Khammam, rural south India. Rob is filming cows, people, cars, bikes, more cows – the whole experience.

Wednesday 20th August

Hotel accommodation is fine with much needed air-con but no toilet paper!! The Polio centre is catering for us by providing mild Indian food to protect our stomachs! Visit to local special and mainstream schools – a real eye-opener for some of the team.

Attend welcome ceremony with flower garlands for us and evening dinner with the Bishop!

Team prayer and planning meeting to finalise content for first training day tomorrow. We feel totally dependent on God as we don’t know how the training will be received!

Thursday 21st August

The first day of training dawns! Banana pancakes for breakfast! 55 primary teachers and leaders turn up (for the training, not the breakfast!)

Introductions are followed by Biblical teaching on disability plus a chance for teachers to voice their issues. After this we break the ice with some fully inclusive parachute games which the teachers love. The practical theme then continues with workshops in games, craft and music led by the UK team.

After lunch Abigail shares her personal experience of disability. The teachers get into groups to discuss problems and solutions and what action will happen next. Feedback is universally positive and many yellow post-it notes are returned with smiley faces on. Team are really pleased.

Friday 22nd August

After the highs of yesterday, the team feels a bit flat but God restores our strength with a good afternoon session. 48 secondary teachers from special and mainstream schools attend. Abigail’s talk is well received and teachers comment that they have been “inspired and challenged” by Abigail to meet the needs of disabled children. Teachers want to share training back at school with their colleagues and invite parents into school to discuss their disabled children’s needs – brilliant!

Some parents with disabled children visit the Polio centre. This gives Abigail the opportunity to lead some activities for the children, including one blind girl, aged 7, who came along. She was fortunate enough to attend school, however her mother said that she didn’t receive an education – the school just fed her a meal and then sent her home!

Saturday 23rd August

Good morning team prayer time – each of us praying for each member in turn.  Over 60 teachers and community workers attend the training – some attended previously and have come back for more! Suresh, a young boy with cerebral palsy who doesn’t attend school visits the centre with his mum, and we incorporate him in the parachute activities to demonstrate inclusion at work.

The team visit local shops to buy gifts and clothing then it’s back to the centre to hear the disabled children sing worship songs in the Telegu language – really joyful and powerful voices.

Looking back on the last 3 non-stop days we have a good sense of having made a difference. Have been bitten by insects on my feet which start to feel sore and receive a text from my wife who says my 4 year-old daughter is waking up in the night crying and wanting her daddy

Looking forward to a more relaxing day tomorrow.

Sunday 24th August

More relaxing day doesn’t happen!
Early breakfast, then leave Khammam with suitcases for 1 hour minibus ride to join 8.30am church service with the Bishop in the cathedral at Dornakal. 2 ½ hour service then visit to the Diocesan projects – hostels and schools. Visit to deaf school where we have lunch then on to the small hospital where the Bishop’s daughter, Carol, is doing excellent work as the only Doctor there!!

Hottest day so far – in mid 30s and my feet are swelling up. Farewell evening dinner with the Bishop, his wife and daughter, then we catch the 10.30pm overnight train from Dornakal Junction for 400 mile journey to Chennai.

Monday 25th August

Loads of things going round my head so get only 3 hours sleep. Train arrives in Chennai on-time! E-mail problems meant I wasn’t able to confirm where we would meet our partner organisation but God’s perfect timing means that as I pull back the carriage curtain I can see Daniel, but he can’t see me and I lose him in the crowd for a few minutes.

Check-in to nice hotel (with toilet paper this time) for late breakfast then visit Daniel and his wife, Avitha’s ministry – Agape, an affiliate of Joni and Friends – located in the poorer area of the city, training young disabled people for jobs.

At last a chance to relax in the afternoon before team prayer, worship and planning.

Tuesday 26th August

16 representatives from 9 Christian disability ministries meet altogether for the first time for the training. Really good day with all organisations committing to meet again in November as a fellowship group with the aim to train pastors in disability issues. The Opportunity School for Learning Disabilities kindly offer their bus + driver + escort to accompany us on tomorrow’s final day’s excursions.

Wednesday 27th August

Final day in Chennai for touristy activities in scorching heat. Visit St Thomas’ mount with great view of the city then the Basilica which was built on the location where the apostle was originally buried. On to the shops for final gifts – a huge western-style complex uneasily contrasting with poverty and beggars close by.

For lunch I had to go for the Tandoori pizza in Pizza Hut!! Return to hotel in the little yellow, 3-wheeled auto-rickshaw.

Thursday 28th August

Early start for flight to Mumbai then finally land at Heathrow – almost 11 days after we started. Reflecting on the trip, if, as a result of our training, just 5 disabled children are helped by each of the 120 teachers, workers and leaders – and hopefully more will be – then we have helped 600 disabled children on the way to fulfilling their God-given potential!!