Aahan did not interact with others like his younger brother did; nor was he able to
connect with his parents or his brother. He attended regular school, but did not have
any friends. His speech was also impaired.
One day, when Aahan was 8 years old, his mother, who thought her son had already left
for school, happened to look out of the window. What she saw left her shocked: Aahan
was still waiting for his school bus three hours after it was supposed to have arrived.
Whats worse is that he was not aware that the bus had not arrived and was not likely
to do so either.
Vishal Srinivas, who lives with his family in Mumbai, was also diagnosed at the age of 5.
Initially, Vishal was able to read, write and speak coherently, but gradually regressed.
He began to slowly losing his abilities and became increasingly hyperactive. The school
couldnt handle him anymore and asked his parents to admit him to a special school.
This was the year 2000.
After going through behavioral issues and meltdowns, Vishal has now settled down and
is now on his way becoming a masterchef! He can whip up lip-smacking delicacies
effortlessly; his mother, Viji, even jokes that Vishal is a better cook than her!
Vishal also solves problems and deals with complex situations around him. He is calm
and collected, a far cry from the boy he once was. His parents hope that one day, Vishal
will own and run a restaurant, just like his grandfather.
How did both these young men beat the odds? There is a commonality: they have
mothers who refused to give up.
When Aahan was diagnosed, the neurologist told his mother, Sweta, that he would never
be like other children. Sweta stormed out of his clinic. But not before giving him an
earful!
Viji, Vishals mother, was told the same thing by a therapist who worked with Vishal.
But Viji continued, undaunted, for the sake of her son.
They say a mothers prayers never go unanswered. These mothers prayed, yes, but they
also wholeheartedly committed themselves to improve the lives of their children.