On October 19, 2024, our fifth Special Mom Forum convened at Asha Nivas, Rutland Gate,Thousand Lights, a serene haven in the heart of Chennai. This gathering brought our Special Moms together, each carrying the unique weight of raising a child with special needs. These families are often overlooked and misunderstood but they have found solace and strength within our Sri Arunodayam family.

While parents engaged in insightful sessions, their children were joyfully entertained in parallel activities. The forum is more than just a meeting; it’s a safe space where our Special Moms can let down their guard and be truly seen and heard. Here, they find a sisterhood and the power of community.

The day, from 10 AM to 4:30 PM, was filled with in-depth discussions and sessions tailored to their specific needs. We were humbled by their spirited participation.

By empowering our Special Moms, we aim to create a ripple effect. Together, they can advocate for change, break down societal barriers, and build a more inclusive world for their children and future generations.

Agenda

• Welcome Address – by Gayathri, Sri Arunodayam’s Program Manager
• Lighting of the lamp – by 4 Special Moms and Jayachithra, Sri Arunodayam’s Head of Administration. (2024 Finalist Gayathri Sampath, 2022|23 Finalist Prathiba Sudhakar, and 2020 Finalists Vasantha Selvakumari, and P.V. Nirmala)
• Brief overview of Si Arunodayam’s Special Mom Programs – by Sri Arunodayam’s Founder Managing Trustee, Iyyappan Subramaniyan
• Introducing our Special Moms for 2024 – by Gayathri, Sri Arunodayam’s Program Manager
  • Session 1 – Icebreaking group activity with families conducted by Prathiba Sudhakar, Special Mom 2022|23
  • Session 2 – Overview of the National Trust and its schemes for the differently- abled, conducted by P.V. Nirmala, Special Mom 2020
  • Session 3 – Yoga and meditation conducted by the Head of Department, Andal, a yoga therapist for over 20 years from Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram
  • Session 4 – Mental health and stress management session conducted by Psychologist Ramya Raju. With a Master’s degree in child development and family relationships, Ramya has been working with marginalized communities for over 20 years.
• Cultural programs and games for children conducted in parallel by Sri Arunodayam’s staff and volunteers from Good Shepherd School, and Chennai Volunteers.
• Vote of thanks and general instructions on the upcoming 2024 Award Ceremony by Kannan, Head of Department, Department of Physiotherapy at Sri Arunodayam

To date, Sri Arunodayam has positively impacted over 450 individuals from 105 families through our Special Mom Award and Special Mom Forum programs. Our dedicated team of psychologists, doctors, legal experts, and healthcare professionals provide our Special Moms with the latest information and strategies. By collaborating directly with such skilled local faculty, we empower these exceptional women and ensure the sustainability of our support system.