Here’s a brief overview of Srinivasa Prasad. His journey from surviving a severe Epileptic Attack at the tender age of 17 months to today being a Role Model Social Entrepreneur.
Srinivasa Prasad was born with Post hepatic Cirrhosis of the Liver, having Partial Complex Convulsive Seizures and Glycogen Storage Disorder -Type IV.
He has come a long way from being told that Survival was only for first 5 years of Childhood and later suffering from Miliaria Tuberculosis and Tuberculoma in the Brain and being on the Ventilator for over 8 weeks 2008.For someone with a birth disorder of the Liver, surviving the Anti Tuberculosis Treatment post discharge for a year was a Life & Death Choice!
Taking up the challenge to renew his Daily Activity learnings at 16, he rose to the occasion to prove the evolving capacity of every individual no matter what. The aftermath of Tuberculoma and being on Life Support System for a long period resulted in Partial Amnesia and Lack of Independent Motor Abilities.
So at age 16, he was underwent training in all the Activities of Daily Living.With an incredible Inner Will this Audifory learner took a just a year to recuperate and inculcate the much needed Life Skills of Living. The Journey to evolve continued as he was enrolled into the NIOS becoming the “First Person with Special Needs” to ever appear for Examinations after such a Life Threatening Illness.
His School Vidyasagar became The True Temple of Knowledge and Expertise” where he completed his XII.
What next was our Question and the Self Advocate was ready with another defined Goal that went on to become a path breaking Adult Program.
SAI Bakery
He set up SAI’ ( Society All Inclusive) Bakery, in September 2013, a unique Neighborhood Initiative for Adults with Special Needs. This Endeavor has been responsible for creating a Revolution in the Social Sector and the Main Stream.
In 2015, it had been chosen as one of the Best Practices for Rehabilitation of Adults with Different Disabilities by ( NIEPMD – Chennai) National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities. Thereafter it was chosen as one of Inspirational Stories by “Better India” a Web Media Portal that strives to bring Real Life Stories of those who make A Better India by their Step towards Social Consciousness and Sensitization which got all the Media Attention thereafter.
A Film made on Sai ‘Bakery called “I am Sai” went viral on Social Media winning the “Jury Mention Award” at the We Care Film Festival organised by Brotherhood, The National Trust, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The Scope for being a Role Model Catalyst widened as more Initiatives started being formed in various parts of the country like Pondicherry, Punjab, Leh (Ladakh), Gujarat and still continues to walk on the lines of Sai ‘Bakery which now is a Connoisseur in Productive Engagement Program for older Adults with Developmental Disabilities.
Srinivasa Prasad also happens to be the Only Person with ASD and Epilepsy ( revived on Life Support System) who took a Road Trip to Ladakh and reached the Highest Motorable Road proving that ” We Can Touch The Sky .. All We Need is to Believe”!
Srinivasa was felicitated with the “ASHTA VAKRA SAMMAN – Role Model Award _2017 in Patna, Bihar.
For a Boy who was written off to live only for 5 years and maximum 7 , he celebrated his 26th Birthday on 2nd October 2017.
His Resilience to survive and inspire could owe its origin to sharing his Birthday with the Great Bapuji _ Mahatmas Gandhi!
Srinivas a role model to all very good job by their parents take effort from birth to achieve their goal, well done srinivas.
GREAT. VERY ENCOURAGING TO ALL PARENTS WHO HAVE SUCH CHILDREN.
YOU ARE THE ROLL MODEL.