Success Story

Mr. Akshay P. Deshmukh was born on 10th February, 1984 in the Steel City of Rourkela in Orissa States. When the failed to start talking even at 2 years of age, his parents Mrs. Maya and Mr. Prakesh Deshmukh were worried. A series of test at the local hospital and then at Nair hospital and AYJNIHH, Mumbai revealed that Akshay had bilateral severe to profound sensorineural deafness. His parents immediately put him on Auditory training Programme at home itself after enrolling themselves in the correspondence course conducted by John Tracy Clinic, USA for parents of pre-school deaf children. In 1987, the family moved to Mumbai and enrolled Akshay at KDN Shruti School, Juhu in Hindi Medium where he received auditory and speech training for four years. By 1991, he had acquired adequate skills in Hindi language to be ready for integration to normal school. However, sensing that knowledge of English language will be essential for higher studies, his parents had already started teaching him English at home itself. This enabled him to secure admission in Std. 1st at Rajhans Balvidyalaya, Andheri, an English medium CBSE school for normal children.

In spite of his hearing impairment, Mr. Deshmukh has been doing very well in studies securing good position in class. In Std.6th, 7th & 8th, he secured 2nd rank in the class and in Std.7th won awards for highest marks in Sanskrit and Mathematics. In 1997 he received the prestigious Alexander Graham Bell Financial Aid Award for his all round excellent performance in Academics and extra curricular activities. In 1998-99, he won a special award from school for his "Indomitable Courage and Perseverance".

Deeply interested in sports, Mr. Deshmukh has won many awards in athletics, games and other activities like painting, calligraphy, etc. His special forte, however is Badminton in which game, he has been bagging Gold Medal in singles and doubles in school games for the last 3 years. He has also represented the school in inter school Badminton Championships in 1998 & 99. He has participated in many Badminton Tournaments (including State Level Tournaments) and won the Manora Badminton academy tournament in October 2000.

Mr. Akshy appeared for Std. 10th school final exams of CBSE Board in March, 2002 and secured a creditable 89.2% with A-1 Grade. He plans to become a computer Engineer in future. Akshay uses both English and Hindi language quite competently for oral communication.

The Director and staff of AYJNIHH wish him the best in all his future endeavours.

Source: NINAD
Issue: April-2001-December-2001