Special children stuck in Mysuru for over a month

MALAPPURAM: Despite repeated pleas for evacuation, at least 30 special-needs children along with their parents from different parts of the state, who had gone to the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH) at Mysuru in Karnataka before the lockdown was imposed, are stranded there.
The children from Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kasargod, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Palakkad and Malappuram had gone to AIISH for various therapies, along with their parents or guardians, numbering no less than 90.They are now stuck in various places in Mysuru city.
These children face multiple challenges such as autism, cerebral palsy, hearing impairment, intellectual disability, Down's syndrome etc. Even though the Institute was closed after the lockdown came into force, the children and their parents haven't been able to leave Mysuru. They had approached the Kerala government and chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan reportedly ensured proper action, on April 20. However, nothing has materialised yet, the parents say.
The children and their parents, most of whom are mothers, are struggling for proper facilities and have been staying at rented houses, hostels, or lodges.
"Most of the children were accompanied by their mothers and they are under severe stress and panic, as they are unable to care for their children who are suffering from various types of health issues," said Rajesh P, a parent from Taliparamba in Kannur.
They were hopeful of returning to Kerala at the end of the lockdown on April 14 but with the period extended to May 3, their hopes were dashed. "The extension of lockdown in the region could worsen the situation. Karnataka authorities have already promised their support if Kerala is ready to evacuate children," Rajesh added, claiming that the chief minister's office has informed them that their demand for evacuation is under consideration.
Meanwhile, various local organisations and government sources are providing the children and their parents with food and water.
Muhammed Hazrath, the managing trustee of Step India Foundation, an NGO, which is currently giving support to the children at Mysuru, said the unexpected situation has affected the routine of the children, and that their parents are facing a challenge to meet the daily needs and are managing the situation with limited facilities.