Arriving in India via Doha I was ushered into my client’s 4×4 and driven for what felt like days (my transfer in Doha had been delayed and they had lost my case enroute so you could say I was a tad stressed). We arrived at the hotel in the darkness and my single carryon was taken from me by the porter as the receptionist told me every-damn-thing about the resort’s facilities (that I knew full-well I wouldn’t have time to touch) before I was led, pretty much by the hand, to a golf buggy and driven to my room.
Sticky and shattered I fell onto the bed and slept for a good 5 hours (which for me feels like a life time!) before the unscheduled wake-up call from reception informing me that I was about to miss breakfast. Throwing some clothes on I rush to the door and I’m greeted by torrential rain that I had totally not planned for. Luckily reception had sent a porter with a brolly + another golf buggy to get me some brekkie.
Breakfast done and now ready for the day I’m back in reception where I am greeted by the father of the child. “Let’s go, we have a busy day” he utters as the driver grabs my bag and swiftly walks to the car. We drive for 10-15 minutes and arrive at the family house where I spend the day with the child’s school tutor; nannies and, of course, (in part) the child carrying out a mix of therapy / modelling; training and trouble shooting.
At the end for each day I write up the notes and plan for the following day based on what I have learnt about the culture / situation and have a quick dip in the pool.
On the final day of the trip I spend the day looking at the child’s functional communication skills in the community as we spend the day being proper tourists!
Returning to the UK I, 4 years later, still speak to the father on a weekly basis having worked with the child in the UK every school holiday. Recently I had the pleasure of officially discharging him however we’ll likely stay in contact well into the future!