Abled Tales, a compilation of stories by a mental health professional, outlines the struggles of people in India with mental health and learning disabilities, and their resilience in overcoming these challenges
An illustration from the book depicts the harsh impact of social stigma on children, which may lead to withdrawal from social interactions. Illustrations courtesy/notion press; Mithra Patrawala
As the year draws to a close, it might be time to pause and reflect on the grim reality faced by many Indians even today: Struggles of ordinary individuals, from mental illness and disabilities, to pain and personal loss continues to be stigmatised, with limited avenue for people to express their problems safely. However, storytelling as a medium has always been an outlet for their expression. Mumbai-based mental health professional Kashmira Adil Kakalia’s book, Abled Tales (Notion Press) provides a peek into such lives encountered by the author over the course of her career.
The book mentions the value of gratitude journalling, a practice the author incorporates into her therapy sessions
“In 30 years of my practice as a narrative therapist and special educator with people across age groups, I have witnessed the complex, layered circumstances of those living with the stigma of their mental health issues, emotional pain, and disability amongst other struggles,” Kakalia recalls. The book contains over 20 chapters, each narrating the challenges faced by children she worked with on an individual, familial, institutional, and social level. The names are understandably altered, but the language is simple and straightforward. “I wanted to humanise these struggles for the reader, rather than making these anecdotes heavy with technical jargon,” she explains.
That being said, the book does come with an interactive note on terminology at the very beginning, encouraging readers to put aside their linguistic biases when reading about disabilities. “I’ve seen it often with many youngsters I worked with: They would describe themselves using words like ‘stupid’, ‘useless’, and ‘incapable’, often after hearing others say similar things or being picked on for their differences,” Kakalia tells us.
One of the chapters describes a teenager’s struggles with mathematics in school; she is notably mentioned saying that she could only see ‘numbers
in space’
One chapter spells out the story of a child with dyslexia, and the various sessions Kakalia undertook to improve her coordination, writing, and directionality. Likewise, another section deals with a young girl lacking self-esteem, leading her to daydream, and scribble in her school notebooks as a form of emotional expression; notably, her parents found it hard to accept she needed help. “Acceptance is a crucial theme in my book,” Kakalia emphasises. “A recurring pattern has been the families’ inability to accept something that requires addressal and support, all due to the prevalent fear in Indian society of ‘What will other people say?’ Anyone facing such unseen challenges requires motivation and empathy, and to have their small wins celebrated.”
Kashmira Adil Kakalia
We ask Kakalia if, as a specialist, anything has surprised her about the collective experiences she came across. “Of course, the surprise was to see the children who were once nervous and lonely in their struggles, grow up into well-settled and capable adults, who have built upon their skills and made something of themselves.” Her message, she points out, is how ordinary people can showcase immense resilience in the face of extraordinary circumstances. “Resilience doesn’t always look the same. For instance, someone being able to identify if they are suffering from an Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and subsequently seeking help for it, is also a form of resilience,” she says.
“My aim is to create more awareness about these problems, so that people may take inspiration from these tales, and learn to believe in themselves and others. Everyone deserves respect, regardless of ability,” she signs off.
Available Amazon, Flipkart
Cost Rs 355 (paperback, on Amazon)
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