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Exploring challenges faced by Indian mothers of special needs children, seeking awareness, support, and hope for a more inclusive future.
Navigating the unseen journey: challenges faced by mothers of special needs children in India
Motherhood is a journey marked by joy, love, and sacrifices. However, for mothers of special needs children in India, the journey is often fraught with unique challenges that demand resilience, understanding, and unwavering commitment.
Nurturing a child with special needs can be emotionally, physically, and financially draining as mothers grapple with a myriad of obstacles that are both societal and systemic.
One of the foremost challenges faced by mothers of special needs children in India is the prevailing lack of awareness and understanding surrounding disabilities. Societal stigma can be crippling, leading to isolation and feelings of inadequacy for both the mother and the child.
In many cases, well-meaning but misinformed attitudes can perpetuate stereotypes, making it difficult for mothers to advocate for their children and access the necessary support.
The support systems for families with special needs children in India are frequently inadequate. Educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and community services may lack the necessary infrastructure and trained personnel to cater to the unique needs of these children.
Mothers are left navigating a complex web of bureaucracy and red tape to secure essential services such as special education, therapies, and assistive devices.
Raising a child with special needs can be financially draining. The costs associated with therapy sessions, medical treatments, and specialized education can accumulate rapidly. Moreover, many mothers find it challenging to balance the demands of caregiving with employment, leading to a loss of income.
The lack of financial assistance and employment opportunities for parents of special needs children exacerbates the economic burden they bear.
Accessibility remains a significant challenge for mothers of special needs children in India. Public spaces, transportation, and recreational facilities are often ill-equipped to accommodate individuals with disabilities.
This not only restricts the mobility of the children but also adds an extra layer of stress for mothers who constantly face logistical challenges in providing their children with enriching experiences.
Caring for a child with special needs takes an immense emotional toll on mothers. The constant worry about the child’s well-being, coupled with the societal pressure to conform to unrealistic expectations, can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
The emotional burden is exacerbated by the dearth of mental health support tailored to the unique needs of mothers in this situation.
While the challenges faced by mothers of special needs children in India are substantial, there is hope for change. Increased awareness, de-stigmatization efforts, improved support systems, and enhanced accessibility can contribute to a more inclusive and compassionate society.
Policymakers, healthcare professionals, educators, and communities must come together to address these challenges and pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for special needs children and their mothers in India.
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Image source: CanvaPro
I am Farida Rizwan, 57, Counselor and Psychotherapist working as Senior Curriculum Developer with Chimple Learning. I am the founder of My Giggle Garden, Preschool, and Daycare. I am an ardent blogger @www.chaptersfrommylife.com read more...
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UP Boards Topper Prachi Nigam was trolled on social media for her facial hair; our obsession with appearance is harsh on young minds.
Prachi Nigam’s photo has been doing the rounds on social media for the right reasons. Well, scratch that- I wish the above statement were true. This 15-year-old girl should ideally be revelling in her spectacular achievement of scoring a whopping 98.05% and topping her tenth-grade boards. But oddly enough, along with her marks, it’s something else that garners more attention – her facial hair.
While the trolls are driving themselves giddy by mocking this girl who hasn’t even completed her school yet, the ones who are taking her side are going one step ahead – they are sharing her photoshopped pictures, sans the facial hair, looking nothing less than a celebrity with captions saying – “Prachi Nigam, ten years later”.
Doctors have already diagnosed her with PCOD in their comments, based on photographic evidence. While we have names for people shamed for their weight – body shaming, for their skin colour- racism, for their age- age shaming, for being a female- sexism, this category of shaming where one faces criticism for their appearance has no name. With that, it also has zero shame attached to it.
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