Lahore Speech and Language School, a non-profit organization, founded on August 11, 2008, is working for the deaf and dumb children to help them in exploring their voice. The chairperson Salma Iftikhar is Pakistan's number 1 speech therapist who is also well- known for the treatment of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.
The idea of speech therapy clicked in Mrs. Salma Iftikhar's mind when a deaf and dumb girl was born in her home. She was none other than her own daughter Zara Hussain. Her birth made Mrs. Salma feel the pain of those parents whose children were unable to talk like hers. We all know the proverb very well that "Necessity is the mother of invention" and thus she started her research on How to train deaf and dumb children to speak. She always believed that a child who is born deaf and dumb has a tongue in his mouth but unfortunately, due to the deafness, they never get a chance of learning how to speak. The way she felt the pain made her efforts successful and she started the speech therapy from her home. The miraculous results made her feel proud of herself and also it proved that nothing is impossible in the world. Every problem comes with a solution. Mrs. Salma says, " I feel its my duty to give a voice to the Deaf Children so that they can communicate with the world." Her success lead her to think about other deaf children who must be living a life away from the outside world of normal people. Thus, these concerns created the foundation of "Lahore Speech and Language School" which was especially initiated for the special kids. One after the other, parents trustingly sent their children with high hopes that one day, their kids will also be able to speak like Zara Hussain; and it happened.
All of us know that the old method practiced for deaf and dumb was sign language for which a person was needed to understand it too, thus it was a training not only for deaf children but their families were also trained to understand it. Mrs. Salma just refused and disliked the technique and with all her struggle, she found the right way which seemed impossible initially. But her beliefs were so strong and she had a great trust in her strong determination... She did it!
Zara Hussain, daughter of Mrs. Salma Iftikhar is now leading a normal life with her husband in Newyork. She is a PhD and is working as a director of Lahore Speech and Language School and is not less than a back bone for the institute. She is also teaching in John Hopkins for Her determination and missions are even stronger to hold the hands of children like her and make them reach their destinations without any hurdles.
The organization follows the technique of RSTM, R for Responsibility, S for Self advocacy, T for Technology and M for Manners. Mrs. Salma believes that these are the basic principles through which we can lead a good life.
Zara Hussain hopes that one day, Pakistan will glow on the map of the world due to the heroes of LSLS. She is working hard to achieve the goals which were planned by her Mother.
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