Mauritius high commission honours mothers of kids with disabilities

NEW DELHI: The Mauritius high commission organized an event on Saturday to honour the mothers of children with disabilities.
Titled 'Maa Tujhe Salaam', the event was arranged to support the mothers as well as to raise awareness about people with disabilities and their need for economic sustainability. Over 20 families of children with disabilities attended the programme.
In a large, carpeted room -covered with paper, paints, clay, stamps and more- children sat on the floor creating pieces of art to express their feelings towards their mothers. Their mothers also sat around and helped them make posters, paintings, coloured pots and letters.
This is a form of expressive art therapy, said Archana Singh, an art therapist and one of the organizers. Expressive art therapy is a way for people with disabilities to find emotional release and help their physical and mental development through art. This therapy has been in practice in the USA since 1930's, added Singh.
"I am on a crusade to make people more aware of these disabilities and different therapies," said Singh, adding "India suffers from a mindset that stops people with disabilities from becoming self-sufficient. Although we have the best policies, 74% of people with disabilities are unemployed and dependents".
22-year-old Trisha, suffering from Down's Syndrome, described her mother as beautiful and said she gave her the power to become who she is. "My mom is with me on my bad days and my good days. She is the best in the world," she said. Diwakar Sharma (22) is visually impaired. He also stood up and fondly talked about his mother, saying she raised him to be a very strong person.
After finishing their art pieces, the children placed price tags on them. One child sold his painted bowl for Rs 501. "What better way to honour the mothers who have sacrificed so much for their children than a sense that they can be economically sustainable?" said Poonam Kumar, director of brand managing firm Priceless Possessions.