1. What do you understand by Spastics Society of Sikkim?
Ans. Spastics Society of Sikkim is a Non-Government Organisation registered under the Govt. of Sikkim (Regtd. No. 951/LR/97) formed for the welfare of persons with Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, Autism and Multiple Disabilty.

2. Where is it located?
Ans. Office of the Spastics Society of Sikkim is located at Jeewan Theeng Marg (Near TNSS School), Development Area, Gangtok, Sikkim – 737 101 (India).

3. How does it function?
Ans. The Society has members (Annual Members, Life Members, Donor Members and Corporate Members) who elect 15 Executive Members (Governing Body) in the Annual General Body Meeting every 03 years as per its rules and regulations. The day-to-day activities are decided by the Executive Members.

4. How does the Society implement its objectives?
Ans. (a) The Society has a Day Care Centre called Special Education and Rehabilitation Centre (SERC) situated at the office building of the Spastics Society of Sikkim which provides Special Education, Physiotherapy and Vocational Training for children with Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, Autism and Multiple Disability through Special Educators and Physiotherapist. There is increasing demand for expanding its services and infrastructure due to increasing number of beneficiaries.
(b) Awareness generation: The Society organises workshops for Govt. and Non-Government agencies at various levels from time to time. It provides training opportunities for Special Educators and Volunteers. It takes help form electronic and print media to disseminate information about the rights of the disabled among general public periodically and also organises awareness campaigns like World Disabled Day Celebration etc.
© Networking with Govt. and Non-Government Organisations in and outside the State for sharing information.
(d) Infrastructure Development:
· Working with the vision of developing a resource centre for capacity building in Gangtok as Institute of
Disability Management.
· Respite Care Centres at District Headquarters and Sub-Divisions in Sikkim.
· Human Resource Development on Disability Management

5. What are the sources of its fund?
Ans. It generates fund by collecting donations from – Members
Donors
It receives grant-in-aid from Social Welfare Department, Govt. of Sikkim.

6. How can one become a member of the Society?
Ans. Any individual above 18 years of age willing to volunteer to serve the Persons With Disability may submit a requisition to the Executive Member/s and fill up the Membership Card after payment of membership fee as per the category of his/her choice. The person willing to become a Member should abide by the rules and regulations of the Society.

7. What is Cerebral Palsy and Multiple Disability?
Ans. Cerebral Palsy: Cerebral Palsy is a disorder causing problems with movement and balance. This happens
when there is damage to that part of the brain which controls movement. A persons thus affected is called Spastic.
Multiple Disability: Combination of more than one disabilities, like spasticity, mental retardation, hearing, speech
and visual impairment occurring in the same individual due to Cerebral Palsy is called Multiple Disability.

8. Is a persons with Cerebral Palsy mad?
Ans. No. It is due to permanent brain damage which is not progressive. People with Cerebral Palsy can have normal intelligence.

9. Is it a curse?
Ans. No. It is neither a curse, hereditary disorder nor a disease. It is not infectious. It is the result of Cerebral Hypoxia caused by metabolic disorder.

10. How can it be detected?
Ans. It can be detected by parents, health personnel/professionals, teachers and rehabilitation workers when the baby/child fails to achieve the physical or mental developmental milestones as compared to other normal children.

11. When to start therapy, education and rehabilitation services?
Ans. Early detection, appropriate therapy and rehabilitation services prevent further deterioration of disability and promote capacity building of the person with disability.

12. Are such services easily accessible?
Ans. We have made a beginning at the Day Care Centre (Special Education and Rehabilitation Centre) at Gangtok which needs to be developed into an Institute of Cerebral Palsy and Disability Management with Respite Care Centres at the Community Level manned by Special Educators in the near future. It needs collective effort from all sections of the society to make it a reality.