helping retarded?

Does anyone know any place where I could work as a care assistant for retarded (mentally) people. As volunteer on food+accomodation basis. I have been doing that now for two years here in Finland (though as a payed worker)and I have good knowlegde about autism, ephilepsy etc. The mental age of the people (adults) I worked with was between 1 and 3 years.

I could leave in late-June and stay at least several months.

Hmm - that's a nasty coincidence. Today's Indian newspapers are reporting that an English woman doing that in Delhi just committed suicide...

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1380785,0006.htm

and others.

Tim Makins

Oh boy, a sad stroy, what more can I say. Fortunately I still love myself most of the time and I never has found it hard to work with retarded people. We have only one life, everyone, and we must respect it. Our own and evryone elses life...

Hi there, Kyosti, good luck with your work.

Just wondering whether there has been a switch to "person-first" language where you work - at school and at places I've worked, people here say "person with mental retardation" and don't use the word "retarded".
I used to think it was a matter of semantics, but now I feel it sounds better and more respectful than "retarded".

It's very sad that it happened, but I don't know if the woman committed suicide simply because she worked with children with special needs...perhaps she had many problems in her life.

Right Auntyji, the preferred term is now either "person with mental retardation" or "developmental disability."

Though their website seems to have limited information,NIMHANS, I think is the Government organization in India co-ordinating Mental Health issues.

THPI in Hyderabad does some good work too. They are based in Hyderabad and have a rural centre in Rajahmundry, eastern Andhra Pradesh. You may want to check with them for more info.

Thank you, folks, for teaching me the correct term. I sent mail to THPI, so, let's see what happens...

Do let us know how things go with THPI.

If you are female you can contact the Cannosian Sisters Of Charity. They would gladly accept any help. They have a facility for retarded kids at Mahim in Mumbai. There is a Sister Maggie working there who might be able to put you in contact with the Italian nun that runs the facility.

Good Luck!