Our Forum of Special Moms met for the second time on May 11, 2019. This was an exciting event as we anticipated the participation of 45 mothers and their families! The Forum was held at Asha Nivas, 9 Rutland Gate, Thousand Lights, Chennai 600006. The program commenced with lunch, followed by 4 in-depth sessions of particular interest to families living with special children.

• Government Rules & Regulations regarding Guardianship – conducted by Mr. Kishore Kumar, Social Worker – Legal Guardianship, SPASTN, Chennai
• Sexuality/Behavior Management of Young Adults with Intellectual Disability – conducted by Mrs. Akila Vaidyanathan, Director, The AMAZE Charitable Trust; Founding Member, Member Executive Council, Autism Society of India
• Legal counsel concerning Wills & Probates – conducted by Mr. V R Thangavelu, Advocate, High Court, Chennai
• Mental Health & Handling Depression – conducted by Mrs. Akila Vaidyanathan.

While mothers and adult family members attended the above sessions, we had fun parallel sessions lined up for the children with the help of volunteers from Chennai Event Emcees, Chennai Volunteers, Sathyabama College, and Good Shepherd Convent who kept the children’s spirits up! So thoroughly did they enjoy themselves that they didn’t appear to be missing their parents. They frolicked, danced and played games together, and sat in awe through the magic show by Tamil Rasan, and a mime show by Veera Mani.

Judging from the look on everyone’s faces at the end of the day, we knew that the program was successful in offering these families a welcome break from their daily routine and challenges. Although many families in our Forum are ignored and discriminated against, through this inclusive platform where they are able to learn, share, and just be heard, we believe they are well on the way to transforming themselves, their communities, and society at large.