What does it mean to love and respect your child — fully, exactly as they are?
In this episode, Ira talks to Sushama about her journey as a mother to a child with autism. She shares how she never asked “Why me?” or “Why now?”. Instead, she focused on her role as the parent. What she could do to equip her child to best deal with the world that might not always be kind to her. Because some struggles come not from the person but from the way our world is currently designed.
It’s a conversation about acceptance, perspective, and allowing yourself to make mistakes. Along the way, you might also discover unexpected, unnoticed beauty hiding in plain sight.
This is Sushama's invitation to approach all - especially the neurodivergent - with love, respect and curiosity.
For more information, click here.
00:00 – Introduction: Sushama and Aarti's Early Story
01:22 – Aarti’s Birth & Early Health Challenges
07:39 – Family Life and Support
14:14 – Processing Expectations, Grief & Acceptance
17:43 – Mountains, Yoga & Finding Inner Balance
20:12 – Aarti’s Insight, Language Challenges & Strengths
24:48 – Moving to the US: Navigating the Culture and Challenges of Limited Support
29:50 – Divya's Experience as Aarti's Sibling
33:56 – Returning to India & Rebuilding Life
35:01 – Can Caregivers Have a Life?
36:22 – Preparing Aarti for Independence
41:45 – Respect, Diversity & Early Lessons in Equality
45:52 – Why Relationships With Disabled People Are Hard for Many
53:57 – Focusing on What We Can Control
55:20 – Emotional Hygiene
56:08 – Closing Remarks and Resources
CREDITS:
Host: Ira Khan
Agatsu Foundation Team
Research: Rohini Sen
Art Design: Neeta Borkar
Creative Consultant: Abhishek Saha
Theme Music: Amit Kumar (OtoAcoustic)
This is a Maed in India production
Head of Production: Mae Mariyam Thomas
Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome
Director & Video Editor: Jishnu Guha
Visual Designer: Alika Gupta
Producer: Ruchi Sawardekar, Quoyina Ghosh
Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni
Asst. Sound Recordist & Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar
Production Coordinator: Natasha Vakil
Recorded at Island City Studios, Mumbai
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