What is autism? Is it a disability? Or is there another side to the coin that we haven't considered? Time to refresh our perspective.
"He has Autism.”
The diagnosis sounded like a death knell. I could barely breathe!
I lashed out at the doctor. How could my beautiful son have autism? His limpid eyes, his soft skin… how could it be?
The tears didn’t stop for a long time. The pain was unbearable. Like a pendulum, my emotions swung from disbelief to grief. I hugged Mohit, wanting to protect him with all my might.
I was determined to get rid of this thing called ‘autism.’ Armed with my husband’s unflinching support, I marched ahead to throw this cloak of autism ‘off’ my son. Support from the wonderful members of the Sri Sathya Sai Center in Seoul kept me going.
I prayed fervently for a cure and left no stone unturned in research. Biomedical treatment, Cranio sacral therapy, ABA, Sensory integration, Vision therapy, Secretin, Chelation, Swimming with dolphins - we tried everything.
For 17 years, I continued my fight for a ‘normal’ son. I worked 5 hours a day teaching him language skills and doing table top activities. If I worked hard enough, he would be complete. But guess what? Each door I banged was a dead end.
In the distance, an unexpected door opened for us. A program in USA taught me that autism is a neurological disorder, not a disability. Affected children and individuals don’t grasp the concept of ‘us'. Hence, social interactions and communication are difficult for them. The brain is differently wired, and more magnificently. It’s nobody’s fault, certainly not the mother’s.
I finally stopped swimming against the tide. The fight was replaced by acceptance and understanding - of the person behind the label. All those years I focused on the ‘autism’. But who was the real Mohit?
Mohit emerged as a funny, loving boy who loves Yesudas and also the dhinchak Salman/Govinda numbers, who laughs while watching Mr Bean’s antics, who loves unconditionally, and who is the wisest person I know. And he has emerged as an artist.
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![One of Mohit's paintings]()
One of Mohit's paintings[/caption]
In his emergence, I discovered myself too. It wasn’t a planned journey. But it made me who I am. Thanks to these experiences, I can support other families and train professionals.
April is Autism Awareness month. And I want to address a myth - that autism is a disability. It’s not!
![Respect for individuals and children with autism]()
What is our definition of a normal person? Someone who can perform mundane tasks smoothly, right? And what is a person who can perform complex tasks and look at different perspectives, called? Special. Unique.
Every individual with autism is unique. He might not speak a lot, but he could be a master chef, a marathoner, an incredible artist, or just a regular tenth grader working his head off for the exams. He could be a walking-talking encyclopedia, or someone who can solve complex maths problems in his brain. Or he could just be a regular next-door person. But I can assure you of one thing - these individuals are the smartest, most sensitive and caring people I have known.
Watch this insightful video for answers on your questions about autism.
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This leads us to another point: Have we diluted the meaning of the word ‘special’? Almost always, when associated with a person of different needs, the term evokes waves of sympathy. We forget that these people were (and still are) considered special because of their abilities. Basic motor and speech skills are not as developed. But heightened senses of hearing, analyzing, creativity, and intuition compensate for them. Don’t take my word for it. Peter Thiel, founder of PayPal, said that Aspergers (a form of autism) can be an advantage in Silicon Valley. The condition is a plus for innovation and helps people avoid the imitation gene. Elon Musk declined foraying into stem-cell therapy because people may use it to ‘cure autism’, something which he is strictly against.
So, how can you support individuals with autism? Don’t worry. You don’t need to attend parent support meetings or volunteer at autism treatment centres to contribute (though we would love it if you did). Just implement these basic human behaviours:
Don't laugh at them
Individuals with autism indulge in certain behaviours to cope with anxiety. These include rocking, playing with their hands, shaking something and watching it move.
We all engage in ‘stimmy’ behavior like shaking our legs and cracking our fingers.
The difference is that we are aware of this behaviour and can control it. These wonderful people cannot.
Accepting differences is difficult. But not accepting doesn’t mean the same as laughing at them, does it?
Don't call them 'pagal'
I’ve heard parents say this! Can you believe it?
However, most parents see the immense potential in their child to do something remarkable. Please don’t hurt these families’ feelings by calling their children ‘pagal’ or gesticulating that they are ‘mad’.
Don't say condescending things in their presence
Some people on the autism spectrum might not speak. But each and every one of them understands… everything.
Imagine how you feel when someone speaks disrespectfully about you in front of you. Now imagine you doing the same to these individuals who understand it. Think of how much you damage their self-esteem.
Don't stare
We feel terrible if somebody stares at us, isn’t it? It is no different for them (they understand everything, remember?)
A hundred people crowd around a child or adult who is experiencing a meltdown. If you can’t help, please move on. Please respect the child and the parent.
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![Children and teachers at SAI Connections enjoying Holi]()
Children and teachers at SAI Connections enjoying Holi[/caption]
I feel the pain of mothers who struggle with their affected children in trains, in buses, on the streets. Their daily life is a battle. Yet, they continue to smile and go through life with brave hearts and unflagging spirits.
But I also feel that parents struggle because of society’s perceptions more than their own child’s challenges. Society finds it difficult to accept that individuals with autism are different, not disabled.
Do you want to make the world 1% better for these beautiful individuals and their families? Just remember the above points and you are good.
People on the autism spectrum transform the lives of those associated with them. I know, not just because of my son, but because every parent I have met, agrees. Our children have taught us what unconditional love means. This love keeps us going, long after we feel like we have no strength left. All I request from you, on Autism Awareness Day, is to respect their uniqueness. They will change your perspective on life too. Plus, they deserve a shot at living a dignified life like us. Don’t you agree?
Like this story? Or have something to share? Write to us: contact@thebetterindia.com, or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter (@thebetterindia).
Umesh at work[/caption]
The team at Ostrich Mobility[/caption]
Sunny Splendor is basically an electric wheelchair designed like a three-wheeler, with a lot of space to display the items for selling. The wheelchair’s batteries can be charged with the help of electricity as well as solar energy. Eight hours of sunlight are enough to get the vehicle fully charged, and it can run for about 45km at a speed of 15km/hr after one charge. Even those who don’t have access to electricity can use it with the help of solar charging only.
Sunny Splendor is available in the market for Rs. 1.5 lakh. But many people who need it the most don’t usually have the required money to make the purchase. So Hari and his team are talking to NGOs and other organizations to make it available to people with disabilities. As of now, two people in Karnataka are using the mobile shops gifted to them by Mahindra & Mahindra (as a part of the organization’s CSR activities). Three other people have received them from the Kerala government.
Hari, who is 44 years old, founded Ostrich Mobility after completing his M.Tech course in product design and manufacturing. Prior to that, he did his BSc in Physics and BE in Mechanical Engineering, followed by seven years of work in the field of manufacturing automobiles.
A 1 km beach stretch will have disabled-friendly food courts, washrooms and entertainment area, in the first phase of the project. The facilities will be designed in such a way that disabled people can access them without any assistance. The disabled will also be able to access the water directly. This stretch is expected to be opened by June.
Tenders were recently floated by the government to develop facilities like ramps, railings, low-height food counters, detailed sign boards, etc.
The idea for the project stemmed from the Union Government's Accessible India campaign.
Valsad collector Vikrant Pandey 
A similar initiative was launched in Goa last year. Though the campaign was a temporary one, suggestions were invited from people on making beaches more accessible to the disabled.
There are many accessible beaches for disabled people in the world. All of them have ramps leading up to the water, provision for wheelchairs, railings, and so on.
She has helped many other parents like herself, while also building a beautiful and independent life for Priya.
Priya at a dance competition[/caption]
Maria also arranged for a place in rural Chennai and started travelling there to reach as many children as she could. This had a huge impact and Maria was selected by SPASTN to go to the UK to study more about special education. On returning, she extended the same program to semi-urban areas of Tamil Nadu and started three centres for early identification and intervention. She also sensitised over 2,000 anganwadi workers, village health nurses and other rehabilitation professionals about different disabilities, covering 500 villages with her team of therapists, physiotherapists and special education experts. She started a screening program for newborn children as well, so that disorders could be treated early if detected in time.
Later, Maria left the Spastic Society because the organization only targeted children with cerebral palsy at that time. She started an organization, Maria Charitable Trust, with her savings, to educate children with all disabilities.
She had used all her learning to provide Priya with an independent life and she now wanted a secure future for her:
Art work by Priya[/caption]
After running the charitable trust as an education centre for some time, Maria decided to develop it into a residential care organization.
Cancer didn't stop Priya from continuing with her vocational skills[/caption]
“That was the only time when I thought that I have not done anything for my daughter. I worked for so many people and went on spending money, without saving anything for her,” she says. But Priya showed immense strength and fought her disease. Finally, after a surgery and six chemotherapy sessions, she was free of the cancer.
In 2004, Maria met the national award winning film director, Ramsubramaniam. When he saw Priya and heard about her struggle, he decided to make a film about children like her. The film will be released soon and Priya is the role model for the protagonist. Maria thinks this movie will spread awareness and help people understand the feelings of people with disabilities.
Janarthanan[/caption]
It was March 4, 2000 – just another day for young Janarthanan who returned home after school and went to the terrace to play with his friends.
His family[/caption]
After his treatment, Janarthanan went to the Government Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine in Chennai to get a prosthetic leg. His family had spent a lot of money on his treatment by then, and this was the maximum they could afford. Soon, he started walking, after fighting immense pain with his unbeatable determination during the practice sessions.
All this while, Janarthanan also continued to practice writing with his mouth. One day, he saw his mother drawing some flowers in a notebook. It struck him then that he could try drawing and painting as well. So he did.
He writes, draws and paints with his mouth[/caption]
The first time he participated in a national level competition was in 2005, through Bal Bhawan in Chennai. The competition was held at three levels – zonal, district and state.
Receiving an award from A.R. Rahman[/caption]
With his desire to become a computer graphics designer, Janarthanan did a course in multimedia, followed by a visual effects course from Loyola College.
With Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam[/caption]
He is exploring the filed of film direction[/caption]
Abhishek Thaware[/caption]
By now, you may have guessed that the archer mentioned plays in the Paralympics. But here's what's extremely unusual about his achievements. Abhishek is the first teeth archer in our country. Yes! You heard it right. Abhishek Thaware pulls the arrow with his teeth and hits bullseye!
A worker in a private transport firm, Sunil Thaware’s life took a tragic turn when his one year old son, Abhishek, developed a fever one night. He was taken to a hospital in Nagpur, where the doctors gave him an injection in his right arm. The fever was gone in two days but the injection caused an infection that afflicted Abhishek’s right arm with polio.
In the meantime, he met his coach, Mr. Chadrakant Ilag, a constable with Maharashtra Police. Ilag taught archery to kids in Dronacharya Academy, free of cost. After he saw Abhishek’s dedication towards this sport, he offered to train him in his academy for a month during the summer session. He also arranged for Abhishek’s stay there. This opportunity helped Abhishek polish his skills. After this, Abhishek kept visiting Mr. Ilag for further training and soon became the first teeth archer in the country.
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Chandrakant Ilag - Abhishek's coach[/caption]
Today, Abhishek has achieved his goal with his will power and determination. His physiotherapist, Dr. Ashish Agrawal, helped him become physically fit, and his friends, Vipin, Mohnish and Tushar, helped him financially to get over every hurdle in his way. Jai Hind Ekta Sanskrutik Krida Mandal offered him their grounds to practise. However, this budding sportsman is still going through a lot of hardships.
Manasi Joshi - the champion[/caption]
At the age of 22, Manasi met with an accident on December 2, 2011. She was riding a two-wheeler on her way to work when a truck hit her and crushed her left leg. By the time she had the surgery, she had lost a lot of blood. The doctors tried to treat her leg but it got infected and had to be amputated. After spending 45 days in the hospital, and learning to walk all over again with the help of crutches, she was back up again – optimistic and hopeful as always. Once her wound was healed, she got a prosthetic leg.
She talks passionately about the time when the love for badminton entered her life:
Had she ever thought of making a career out of badminton before her accident?
One of the most memorable matches for Manasi was a mixed doubles match where she got a chance to play against previous world champions with her partner Rakesh Pandey.
Manasi’s father, who is a scientist at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, has always been an inspiration for her.
Moreover, one can even ride it manually as and when required, with the help of its dual locomotion technology. The bicycle uses global positioning system (GPS) for automatic manoeuvring and responds to the GPS coordinates of the destination received via SMS with the help of an Android app meant for i-Bike. In order to avoid obstacles in its path, the bike utilises laser and sonar based sensors and uses the data to plan its motion. It has unique and affordable software architecture, which enables it to follow specialised bicycle lanes (as available in many countries with well-established bicycle sharing centres) and avoid obstacles. The bicycle is connected to a wireless telephone network, which provides wireless control and live tracking mechanisms.
If, for example, an arm amputee wants to use i-Bike, all he/she has to do is send an SMS to the bike using the Android app that has an option - “call the bike to my location.” The GPS location is saved on a server that is continuously accessed by sensors on the bike. On receiving the location information, the bike instantly starts moving towards the destination. The rider can then add a new destination using the app and reach there with the help of autonomous steering.
In the recently concluded nationwide innovation challenge organized by KPIT Technologies, i-Bike won the first prize and was awarded with Rs. 5 lakh prize money.
Trainer wheels have been used for balancing the bike and these too are easily retractable with the help of a switch.
With i-Bike, this team plans to solve the last mile transportation problem in many urban cities. The bicycle is primarily for use by people with disabilities, like amputees and the visually impaired, but will also be very useful to commuters who struggle to find affordable means of transport after getting off local trains, metros, and buses.
Once the team has the patent, they plan to collaborate with companies willing to start bicycle sharing centres in India.
You can contact Ayush by writing to him at 
Sparsh Shash (Purhythm)[/caption]
His parents, however, could experience the joy of holding their baby only after six months of his birth – Sparsh had broken 35-40 bones while emerging from his mother’s womb.
This condition makes his bones extremely fragile and brittle – even a hard handshake can break his bones. He cannot bear weight on his hands and legs, so he cannot walk or run like other normal kids. He has had more than 125 fractures in the first 12 years of his life already and the doctors cannot predict how many more are to come.
In April 2015, Sparsh participated in and won the prestigious talent competition Young Voice of NYC, and was honoured to be made the 'Youth Ambassador' for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. He now supports the hospital in spreading awareness about the fight against pediatric cancer.
Sparsh, at the Chennai floods fund raising programme[/caption]
Sparsh was also a member of the Watt NXT Robotics team that won at the state and regional levels in the US. He participated in the first World Robotics Championship in St. Louis, MO in 2015. Sparsh won the first prize in the speech competition about Dr.Ambedkar at the Indian Consulate in New York City in November 2015. Sparsh also participated won the Swardhara Singing Competition organized by Marathi Vishwa, New Jersey, in February 2016.
He always thanks his parents and grandparents for his success:
Sparsh with his family.[/caption]
Sparsh has gone through multiple surgeries for his brittle bones. His parents help him write when he has fractures, or he uses voice to text technology to do his homework.
Sparsh, with Pandit Jasraj[/caption]
Despite all the challenges he has faced, Sparsh's spirit is unbreakable. He aspires to sing in front of a billion people one day.
Following this, they helped her join RDT’s Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) program, along with 33 other individuals in 2012. RDT’s centre in Bathalapalli implements programs for young people with intellectual disabilities to help them become independent, by providing vocational training and education, along with training in basic life skills and sports.
Sreelatha (second from left) along with her LA contingent posing with RDT Program Director, Moncho Ferrer[/caption]
Her interest in the sport was taken a step further after she was selected to represent Special Olympics Bharat through 'unified sport', which is a concept promoted by Special Olympics to encourage able bodied individuals to play and interact with individuals living with disabilities. Her first outing as an international athlete to Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games, Australia, was a dream come true. The simple news of her travelling to Australia turned her and her team-mates into celebrities in their own right.
The outing was more than just an overseas trip as she came back a champion with two gold medals and a bronze medal. But more importantly, it provided her with the exposure she needed for a surge in her self-confidence and self-esteem. Special Olympics Bharat is a National Sports Federation accredited by Special Olympics International to conduct Special Olympics Programs in India.
Sreelatha after her Mixed Doubles final at LA[/caption]
The RDT contingent came back with a staggering haul of 17 medals, 2 of which were bagged by Sreelatha herself (a gold and a silver). The total of 17 medals won by the RDT athletes included 3 gold, 5 silver and 9 bronze medals.
Sreelatha, along with her team-mates, has benefited from RDT’s CBR program in a great way, including the vocational, education and sports specific training provided to them by Spanish coaches and volunteers. Despite their rural origins, they are the only few who have travelled great distances, been to foreign lands, and can be considered some of India’s finest athletes and individuals.
Among its various need-based welfare programs for the development of marginalised sections of the society, RDT also works with people with disabilities to ensure that they have equal opportunities in all fields of life.
Know more about Rural Development Trust by visiting 
A first year student in the Master of Commerce course, Flora completed her Bachelor's from the same college and she dreams of getting a good job after finishing her studies. She is in this position today because of her hard work and the fact that her parents never lost hope. They made sure she received the kind of education she deserved. Flora too never let her condition come in the way of her aspirations.
After trying at many places, she was finally admitted at Maharani Girls High School in Vadodra, where she studied till Class 7. Later, she moved to Shree Sayaji High School. In her Class 10 and 12 board exams, Flora secured the first and second positions respectively at the district level. She also received a certificate of recognition and a cheque for Rs. 5,000 from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was the Chief Minister of Gujarat at the time.
Because of difficulty in moving her right hand, Flora’s speed when writing exams was often very slow compared to other students in her class. So she was unable to complete her exam paper sometimes.
“My parents have done a lot for me. From school to college, they dedicated their time to make sure that I was able to complete my education," she says. Her mother is a homemaker and her father owns a shop in the city. From Class 1 to 4, Flora’s mother used to go to school with her, stay there throughout the day, and then bring her back home. Later, she would drop her in the morning and come back to pick her up. Till today, her father carries her to her classroom on many days because some classes take place on the upper floors. He does not care if he has to leave work to do so.
Girish Gogia[/caption]
I regained consciousness only on the hospital bed where I realised I couldn’t move my limbs. I was in deep pain.
And life changed
It was then that the doctor explained the diagnosis. My cervical spinal cord nerves had been completely pulverized and I was neck down paralyzed for life! He said my condition was incurable and that I had minimal chances of survival. Even I were to survive, I would be in a vegetative state.
I was devastated! I refused to believe that this could happen to me. It felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. I was being sucked into an abyss.
That powerful voice within
The power you need to succeed is already within you and if you can channelise this untapped potential, nothing is impossible – boomed a deep, powerful voice within me. I listened to it and believed in it. It was an epiphany of sorts, which gave me fresh vigour to keep marching ahead.
Yes, it was that tiny little voice that kept growing bigger and bigger, becoming stronger each passing day. It said “Girish! Wake up and move ahead. Get out of the abyss. You have come into this world for a purpose. Your accident was not meant to defeat you. Go inspire a billion hearts. Hope and positivity will spring from your heart and inspire all!”
I am an interior designer by profession. The first thing I did was to restart my profession against seemingly insurmountable odds. I was 90% paralysed post my accident but I managed almost 15 designing projects with great support from my wife, parents and siblings! However, something was still bothering me. I confided in Eesha about the feeling of emptiness within, despite the success. “Share your example of resilience, grit and death-defying survival and victory with the world,” she said, and these words got deeply entrenched in my mind.
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Girish Gogia with his wife, Eesha[/caption]
Life threw one more challenge
Life, I guess, was not through throwing me challenges -- I received yet another setback when my loving wife was diagnosed with a debilitating, degenerative disease named multiple sclerosis! This again, has no cure.
Eesha’s condition deteriorated to the point where she gradually lost 70% of her vision and 90% of her speech. She became completely paralysed neck down, unable to move even an inch or do anything on her own. It’s been nine years now that she is bedridden. But we have stood stoically besides each other like pillars of support.
We came to observe life very closely. We realized that the human spirit is far stronger than anything that could happen to it. We also realized that giving is the highest level of living.
My wife is unable to accompany me physically for my seminars but she is always there in spirit as a part of Mission Positive Earth. We both see the world as one global family, loving and respecting each individual unconditionally. We share our example of resilience in the face of gruelling adversity, spreading hope, and thus inspiring people to transform victimhood into victory and triumph.
My avatar as a motivational speaker
My journey began with small seminars/life transforming sessions at orphanages, old age homes and various non-profit organizations. This soon progressed to bigger corporate seminars for multinational companies and educational institutions, with my first corporate seminar being at the Taj Palace Hotel, Mumbai.
I feel fulfilled and inspired thinking of the seminar for an IT company in Mumbai that I had conducted where I addressed a 500-plus audience dressed in my favourite black suit. “Neck upwards, I have wise and rational analysis. I still have a heart that beats, a soul that feels and a mind that thinks optimistically,” I told them.
Yes, I cannot move an inch, nor can I do any work without the help of my caretaker because none of my limbs function. Only 50% of my respiratory system is functional yet I listen to fast, peppy music that keeps me up-beat, optimistic and full of energy. I use this energy to break the shackles of my disabled condition.
My current turnover is a staggering 7 billion good wishes and blessings from people all around the world. This is what I said to a curious someone who wanted to know my earnings. Yes, I do receive generous amounts from big corporate companies for every motivational seminar I conduct. Most of the amount is chanellised towards similar programs for the underprivileged sections of society. Every fibre of my being stands for this noble cause, as I believe that total commitment is paramount to reach the pinnacle of success.
The diehard optimist
I feel in each one of us lies a spark of fire which lights up in the darkest hour of adversity. All that lies behind us and all that lies in front of us is too little in comparison to what lies within us. When we realize this we find that limitations are nothing but imaginary. We can overcome all our hardships and turn our dreams into reality. Obstacles strengthen our resolve. Struggles help us build character. Every challenging situation actually brings us closer to our inevitable victory.
- Girish Gogia
Binney is suffering from Down syndrome. Initially, he developed the very same symptoms as in other cases of Down syndrome, but now his situation is such that many people can’t even believe about his condition. Binney is 2-year-old now and he’s growing and responding like other “normal” kids of his age. His birth parents left him in an orphanage because they thought that there is no hope for the child. But this is a completely wrong perception. In India, people rely only on fast and easy treatment access, which is not possible in case of any genetic abnormality because the recovery process is gradual. So nothing can be done at once but the parents’ sincere and constant efforts can surely lead to a miracle.
There are three types of Down syndrome – trisomy 21 (nondisjunction) (accounts for 95% of cases); mosaicism (accounts for only about 1% of all cases) and translocation (accounts for about 4 % of cases). Regardless of the type, all people with Down syndrome have an extra critical portion of chromosome 21 present in all or some of their cells.
Recommended reads to know more about Down syndrome[/caption]
Due to advances in medical technology, individuals with Down syndrome are living longer than ever before. Now, with recent advancements in clinical treatment, most particularly corrective heart surgeries, as many as 80% of adults with Down syndrome reach the age of 60, and many live even longer. Quality educational programs, a stimulating home environment, good health care, and positive support from family, friends and the community enable people with Down syndrome to develop to their full potential and lead fulfilling lives. It is important to remember that while children and adults with Down syndrome experience developmental delays, they also have many talents and gifts. They should be given the opportunity and encouragement to develop them.
K. Madhu Babu and D. Varija with their children[/caption]
A get-together of parents and children[/caption]
Here are some examples of situations where PAC has intervened, making a difference in the lives of children with mental disabilities and their parents.
A man who was an ophthalmologist died of a sudden heart attack. PAC supported his dependent and shattered wife and counselled her to look past her problems and gave her courage to focus on her child. Today, she is no longer helpless and is working in a state government hospital with her head held high. She is a pillar of support and inspiration for her child.
A mother of a girl with special needs lost her husband. Today, with the support of PAC, she’s not only looking after her family but is also taking care of the business and contributing towards PAC.
Another woman was left by her husband because of their child’s disability. She took up a job in Dubai to establish a financial foothold for her family. The child, living with his grandmother, was physically and emotionally taken care of by PAC.
PAC's first aim has been to unite all the parents, so that they can function as one community, and support and solve each other’s problems. Help of all sorts, be it financial or personal or health-related, is provided to everyone.
Awareness camps[/caption]
The school building[/caption]
Babu and Varija noted how education for special children was not getting its due, in spite of the fact that it is a significant pre-cursor to later independence and confidence in special children. They realised how parents, due to lack of awareness, financial support or time, are not able to impart the required educational training to their children.
Physiotherapy treatment[/caption]
A day at Sreesh Mandiram starts with prayer, followed with physiotherapy sessions and special education lessons. The afternoon time again includes special therapies (focussing on ABA), speech and occupational therapies, and physical activities to ensure fitness.
School activities[/caption]
Unfortunately, Babu and Varija lost Sreesh on December 9, 2015. At the age of 10, Sreesh suddenly got a very high fever one day and it was accompanied by fits. They took him to the hospital but he could not be saved.
PAC’s ultimate vision is to implement a lifelong supportive organisation under the Tirupathi temple trust to serve the children. We wish them the very best for this noble endeavour!
Madhukar's father, Chandrakant Chidre, was a farmer who owned 40 acres of land in Davanhiparga village of Latur district of Maharashtra. The land was enough for his family of seven to live well. But droughts made it harder to do so year after year.
Madhukar was much loved and cared for by his parents and sisters for two reasons. First, because he was the only son and second, because an astrologer once told the family they should take good care of him as he may meet with a life threatening accident.
And so, one day, when he was in Class 7 and came home crying because the teacher had hit him, his mother never sent him back to school.
After leaving school, Madhukar Anna started to spend his days playing with friends. He also developed a new hobby – wrestling. Soon, he became a champion wrestler in his village and people started looking up to him. But life took a grim turn when Anna was just 18 – he sprained his right arm while wrestling.
Davanhiparga was a small village and there were no doctors there at that time. The local vaidya suggested Madhukar's arm should be tied tightly with a cloth. This proved to be the absolutely wrong treatment. Since there was no blood flow to the arm, it became infected.
This was not the first time Madhukar was dealing with drought. He was 7 years old when he experienced a drought for the first time in his life. His mother used to cook weeds and grass to feed him and his four sisters. He had seen his father work day and night in the fields to get their life back to normal again. And now, he was following his father’s footsteps, but with just one hand.
In the initial years, he worked on four acres and sowed sesame. He managed a yield of 20 sacks of 100 kg each of sesame that year. This was a great achievement for him and encouraged him to work harder. He then bought six bulls for his farm, a tractor and several machines too. And Anna operated all these alone. He also started buying more pieces of land every time he sold his produce in the market.
Slowly, the villagers too started appreciating Madhukar’s work. He kept motivating other farmers during the drought too, saying if he could work with just one arm anyone with two surely could. There were times when he had to take loans but he did not let the labourers in his fields ever be affected by the harsh drought conditions.
Anna never forgot the promise he made his mother of buying a car either. His mother's joy knew no bounds when he finally did so in 1990.
Madhukar Anna Chidre, who has been felicitated by the Maharashtra government and also awarded the Krushi Bhushan Award, is truly an inspiration to each one of us to never give up in the face of any struggle in life.
One of Mohit's paintings[/caption]
Children and teachers at SAI Connections enjoying Holi[/caption]
Sarthak with his friends at M S Ramiah Medical College. All are doctors
Sarthak Kamath with his family[/caption]
“Nothing would have been possible without my mother,” he says, smiling. “While I was sitting at home for six months, she went to every school to look for one where I could go. When I was admitted to ASM High School, she even worked there as a teacher for a year to help me get accustomed to the place!”
Besides her, Sarthak thanks his grandmother who is always at home tending to his needs. “My father has also been a source of encouragement for me, and so has my sister,” he adds.
In his neighbourhood and family, he is an inspiration to everyone as the boy who stopped at nothing to achieve what he wanted.
Sarthak with his teacher and head mistress Parvathy and Narendrababu , MLA[/caption]
He was even part of a band. “But I don’t have much time for my hobbies since I started medical college,” he says. “I used to also play chess and participated in inter-collegiate tournaments. I love reading and participating in quizzes too.”
His mother adds, “He topped his college in a quiz competition recently and came second in the zonal levels. He takes part in cultural activities in college. He is pretty much an all rounder!”
Sarthak calls himself the man who lives in the present. “I don’t think about the future,” he smiles. “Not knowing the future is more interesting.”
On January 12, 2016, we wrote about ‘
Aditya received loads of calls from parents who thought life had been unfair to them by giving them children with Down’s Syndrome. But here was a young single man who adopted a child with Down’s Syndrome and told the world it was a blessing for him.
“Parents of children with Down’s Syndrome called me from almost every part of the country and told me how my step has given strength to them,” says Aditya.
The NGOs that had special kids helped him learn more about the disability and ways to deal with it, whereas many physiotherapists offered to treat Avnish for free.
“Ms. Rekha Ramchandran from Down Syndrome Federation of India called me after reading your article. Since then she is supporting me in any way possible to nurture Avnish,” Aditya informed The Better India.
After word spread, an NGO called 
Friday magazine- UAE[/caption]
Aditya’s story reached foreign shores, and was also published in several magazines of UK and U.A.E, after which many foreign nationals called him to seek help with the adoption procedure in India. Aditya was more than happy to help them.
You might soon watch a film based on the life of Aditya and Avnish – a well-known Bollywood production house and a regional production house too have contacted him for the same.
Binny, who is Aditya’s son Avnish Tiwari now, has shown tremendous improvement since he became a part of Aditya’s family.
“I met the parents of a 10-year-old child with Down’s Syndrome before I adopted Avnish. They told me how difficult it is to raise such children. Avnish had 70-80% Down’s Syndrome. The doctors told me that he would never be able to walk in his life. But in just three months it seems his Down’s Syndrome is just 15-20%. He can hold and stand and tries to stand without support too sometimes. The parents of the 10-year-old child were surprised to see this and have invited me home to help them. My son has set an example for everyone,” says Aditya with a smile.
