FAQ

• I am a father of a special citizen. I am working in a company in Chennai and continuing in my job is essential for my family for few more years. Can we join in this project now itself (or) have we to wait till I retire / resign? 
• CLAPS reply: Yes. Your family may immediately join, as and when the project is getting operational. You may also continue to go for your job, if you feel that is essential to your family. That’s why we are trying to locate the land for this project within a reasonable distance from Chennai, so that to commute daily for members like you. Only prerequisite to become member is either Father (or) Mother should stay in the community to take part in the CLAPS activities every day.

• I have a son who is a special citizen and I have one daughter who is leading her normal life. Our daughter loves her brother a lot and we are pretty sure that she would take care of him, after our lifetime. In such a scenario, joining in this project may not be required for parents like us. Are we correct?
• CLAPS Reply: Bear with such a long reply. Very happy to hear your case. Almighty showered his blessings to your family. Siblings care and love is divine. However, every person is unique in this world and they have the right to live their life without any hastles. While you have taken care of your son from the day, he is born and grown as a child, as an adult and further. You had great hopes initially and put your best efforts all through. Being a parent of the child, you would have sacrificed so much of worldly pleasures during this period of your life, post your son’s birth. He will be an adult at a much elder stage, when you are going to leave the world and hand over the responsibility to your daughter. At that point of time, she would be handling her own family, husband, in laws along with taking care of her own life. This additional responsibility is definitely a burden to her entire life, however willing and loving woman she is towards her brother. This responsibility may definitely affect her personal life in various ways. Instead, if you be a part of such community living project, she may lead her life without bothering about her brother after you. Being a loving sister, she may often visit our complex and get to know about her brother. In fact, siblings like your daughter may become brand ambassadors of our project and they may support a lot in showing their love and care to all the inmates by visiting and spreading the love. Moreover, however best she gives care and support to your son after you, will be insufficient compared to the facilities and freedom he is going to enjoy in the community living village, which is one more valid reason for your family to become part of such projects.

• Will it be practically possible to live in a place away from city, as we all have lived within city and enjoyed the benefits being in a city like Chennai? 
• CLAPS reply: Yes. It is not only possible but enjoyable. As most of the parents will be above 50, when they occupy the complex, we may really enjoy the breeze, enjoy the greenness of a village, self sufficient in many ways. Being away from this concrete jungle is a blessing at such age. Moreover, being living as a community, we may buy anything from the nearby town / city, as we will have enough facilities to commute. We need not feel that we are sacrificing to live in a village atmosphere, rather we should thank our children for giving such an wonderful opportunity to enjoy village life.

• In what way, this project is better than a residential home being operated by other agencies, without really involving parents. After all, parents spent their major portion of their life managing their special citizens. Parents can relax their remaining life, if they leave their wards, in such an institution. Please clarify. 
• CLAPS reply: You are right in one way. If any parent leave their kid in any institution which is not managed by special parents, they have to pay the money at once (or) every month for upkeep of their ward and they may very well relax at their end. But this is an institution by such parents who feel that their presence is essential and love to lead a life keeping their children at an arm’s distance. It is simply redefining our family, making it inclusive of other parents and their children and really living as a community. This system is much better in taking care of our loved ones, even after our demise. Simple logic, rely on a system than on individuals. Also this setup is going to be administered always by a group of special parents, who are the best in taking care of the lives of special children.