Parenting is a journey filled with joys and challenges. For mothers of children with special needs, the path is often fraught with additional burdens. They bear the weight of societal expectations, grappling with feelings of inadequacy and grief for the future they had envisioned. The constant barrage of judgment and criticism can be overwhelming, leading to heightened stress and isolation. They often find themselves excluded from family gatherings and social events, feeling like outsiders in their own world.

Our Special Moms

Our Special Moms are extraordinary women who have risen above adversity. They have gracefully accepted their situation, stoically nurtured their children, and emerged stronger than ever. They faced immense challenges—mental, emotional, financial, and societal—yet their strength and resilience have not wavered. They have been their children’s primary caregivers, advocates, and emotional anchors, guiding them through life’s storms with unparalleled grace. As Cardinal Mermillod aptly stated, “A mother is a person who can take the place of all others, but whose place no one can take.”
To Chellam C (Chennai), Gayathri Sampath Kumar (Coimbatore), Dr. Maria Fatima Josephine (Chennai), Mahalakshmi S (Madurai), Malarvizhi R (Chennai), Mohana S (Chennai), Prabha Anand (Salem), Rajakumari D (Chennai), Rajalakshmi K (Madurai), and Santhi R (Chennai), we say: You are more than just mothers; you are heroes! Your courage and compassion inspire us all. Thank you for being a part of our Sri Arunodayam family.

The Event

October 20th was a truly special day at Sri Arunodayam. Together with our families, partners, sponsors, donors, well-wishers, and friends, we gathered to celebrate these remarkable mothers, in a ceremony at Radha Regent, Arumbakkam, Chennai.

We were honored to have Mr. T Srinivasan of Mel Systems & Services as our Chief Guest, and Mr. Sivaramakrishnan of 5 Star Business Finance Ltd., as our Guest of Honor, along with Sri Arunodayam’s generous benefactors, grace the occasion by awarding the prizes to our Special Moms. We are grateful to every staff member, well-wisher and friend for making this ceremony a grand success.

At the event, we honored our Special Moms’ with a cash award of Rs. 15,000/- each, a special trophy, certificate, gifts, and our Special Lifetime Pass that entitles them to a lifetime of free services from Sri Arunodayam.

Their inspiring journeys were captured on film, unveiling a tapestry of challenges and triumphs. It was a privilege to witness their indomitable spirit as they overcame adversity to achieve the extraordinary.

The shock on their joyously tearful faces said it all! To be recognized for their selfless love and dedication was a moment they will cherish forever.

Their heartwarming films gave way to exhilarating performances by Sri Arunodayam’s children as we celebrated the resilience of the human spirit. The event concluded with a sumptuous meal, bringing our community together in a shared moment of joy and inspiration.

“Child abandonment in India is a distressing reality that continues to plague our society. The alarming rise in the number of orphaned, abandoned, and surrendered children, as reported by the Women and Child Development Ministry, is a cause for concern. Underreporting further exacerbates the issue, making the true extent of the problem even more significant. While the situation varies across states, it is clear that this crisis demands our immediate attention.

Sri Arunodayam has been in existence since 2002. We know first-hand how difficult it is to bring up children with intellectual disabilities without parental support. Our ‘Special Mom’ Award was born from a deep-rooted desire to honor women who tirelessly care for their differently-abled children despite many challenges and sacrifices, even as their own families and communities cast the first stone at them. Our award aims to uplift their spirits, validate their efforts, and inspire others to embrace inclusivity. By celebrating our Special Moms through this event, we hope to foster a more compassionate and understanding society.”

Iyyappan Subramaniyan, Sri Arunodayam’s Founder and Managing Trustee