Hailing from a poor fishing family in Poovar, seventeen year old Michael is the second of five children, of whom, two others are also inmates of this institute. The elder brother Titus has now found employment at the Science and Technology Museum and is earning a steady income. The younger brother Thomas is continuing with his studies.

To have three of five children mentally challenged cannot be  contributed to just a malicious hand of fate.

“Other factors too play a role, like the lack of proper care at the time of pregnancy, the mindset of the mother during her pregnancy, lack of nutritious food and the unavailability of proper treatment also contribute to conditions such as you see with Michael and his brothers.”

The CHM institute admits children in accordance to their economical background; children from the poorest families are given first priority. Michael and his three brothers were admitted to this institution because they were too much of a burden for the poverty-ridden household to look after. But, Micheal, by winning the bronze medal at the Athens Olympics for the mentally challenged, has brought home to his parents, a total sum of Rs. One lakh, at the age of seventeen years, which in itself is a remarkable feat, whether you are mentally challenged or not.

What proved to be Michael’s advantage in spite of his apparent disadvantage was his focus and a calm mind while preparing for the Olympics. By not having to channel his energies to other factors in life, living within the secluded world of his retarded mind, Michael was trained for just one thing and that was to give his best, which he did, bringing home what most able people are still unable to.

PS: Apart from Michael, the handball team sent to the Special Olympics had also won the bronze medal and the team consisted of Darsana, an inmate of Marion Play Home, near Mannanthala.