Need of the Initiative
Existing centers are struggling to provide the care needed, given that they have very limited resources and relatively unskilled staff. They are only able to reach children that can afford to travel. In government health schemes there is no mention of long term or follow-up treatment.
As a result, children with special needs are not challenged to develop and use their abilities. The focus is mostly on physical needs and adjustment, which are not enough to give a child a chance in the wider society. This needs education and skills training.
Parents of special needs children are often insecure about asking for help. The provided benefits are difficult to reach when you get sent away or don’t get all the information from the doctors or social workers.
Doctors don’t give all the information because of several reasons:
- They are afraid the parents will abandon their child
- They don’t have time to do the proper assessments or tests (for free)
- They don’t always have adequate knowledge about different disabilities
Also, parents feel guilty about having a disabled child due to misbeliefs and fear. Family and neighbors are likely to encourage that feeling of guilt and a lot of mothers are left alone with the care of their child.
In India, it is extremely difficult for a single lady to manage with a special needs child. When a husband leaves them, they become dependent on the help of their family and charity. Because of the feeling of guilt, they hesitate to raise their voice and stand up for their own rights and the rights of their child.