Salman is 11 years old and suffers from developmental delay. Developmental delay is when a child’s progression through predictable developmental phases slows, stops, or reverses. Salman’s symptoms include slower-than-normal development of motor, cognitive, social, and emotional skills.
Salman’s parents, Hafeez and Tasleem, are gas-affected second generation survivors of the 1984 Bhopal gas disaster. Their family – like thousands of others in Bhopal – suffer from inter-generational trauma and life changing illnesses from the gas disaster and subsequent water contamination.
Hafeez and Tasleem registered Salman at the Chingari Trust in May 2014 when he was 2 years old. A popular child at Chingari Trust, Salman receives speech therapy, physiotherapy, and special education. With regular treatment, Salman has progressed incredibly well, speaking in clear Hindi, and becoming more confident.
Staff and other children at the Chingari Trust enjoy Salman’s company. Despite his developmental delay, Salman has learnt the names of the twelve months and seven days. With regular physiotherapy he has learnt to sit independently and can stand with good posture supported by a standing frame.
Salman loves music and is often heard humming famous Bollywood songs.
