18-year-old Payal Thakka is part of India volleyball team for Special Olympics 2015
Her powerful serves have made everyone sit up and take notice of this feisty teen. Yet her own father abandoned her and her mother when she was just 10. Reason: She was mentally challenged. Today, the girl, now 18 years old, is all set to make her country proud. Payal Thakkar is part of the Indian volleyball team at this year's Special Olympics, scheduled for July 25-August 2 in Los Angeles.
One look at Payal and it is impossible to believe she is handicap. She studies at Apang Kanya Seva Sankul Manthan, Hajipura. According to her teacher, her IQ level is between 50 and 55, which makes her a case of moderate mental retardation.
"She is in class VII but her learning ability is that of a class II student. When she came here in 2003 her condition was bad but with training and help she has improved a lot," said Vandana Bhatt, teacher and volleyball trainer. "We discovered her love for volleyball about three years ago when she refused to let go of the ball till we showed her what to do with it," Bhatt recalled.
Payal was born in Deesa in Banaskantha district. Her mother, an anganwadi worker, is excited about her daughter's selection for the Special Olympics. She is looking forward to her daughter's first flight.
Payal has attended three volleyball camps in the country, this year. "She trains for a few hours in the morning and then in the evening. She is a bright student and studies in her free time. We train her at our school and make sure she gets a good diet that helps maintain her stamina. We are very proud of her achievement," said Niruben Raval, managing trustee at Manthan.
Asked about her plans in LA, Payal enthusiastically said, "I will play a lot of volleyball and eat and come back."
Energy boost
Payal is on a special diet, planned by her trainer. She has khajoor milk thrice a day and lot of protein-rich food. Her diet includes lot of fruits and pulses as well as paneer whenever possible. "We cannot afford modern supplements. So we make sure we give her traditional food that will help her," said Vandana Bhatt, her teacher.
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