[Originally Posted by Shaily Shah]



I was introduced to Aryan, the child I was told was Autistic and needed special attention. 

Going back a day, I recollect reading up about autism and watching documentaries just to see what they are like, how parents react and behave, and more importantly, how they feel. I observed all kinds of kids in the 2 sessions of the documentaries and when I was finally introduced to Aryan, I actually saw what they were like. Except for a few common symptoms, I noticed he’s just like any other child. Lost, innocent, extremely naughty and humble. But for some reason, ‘Oh! He’s autistic. Aryan is AUTISTIC’ kept playing in my head all this while.
 
He seemed like any other child, just a little extraordinary charm that attracted the extra attention. I realized being able to possess a special quality could be so scary and interesting at the same time. The next day was spent at Nair Hospital (Mumbai) where we needed to get him assessed. I remember being in a government hospital for the first time. I could go crazy. Carmine Didi (Aryan’s School Counselor), Dipti Didi (Aryan’s Super Mom) and I were super famished and tired running around approving his health certificates from different departments. The place is crazier than a maze. It’s a huge hospital. Although all of us were so tired, what kept us going was the 20 kg-7yr old’s enthusiasm to still hop around on an empty stomach when we craved for food.
 
Aryan is young today, but someday, he will grow up to accept the fact that autism is a part of him he may never be able to do away with. It will be with him. Always. What I’m curious to know is what good does he make out of his special quality that he possesses. Perhaps all that matters is if the person ends up becoming a good human being. It should be considered as a benchmark and the world must work towards achieving such a milestone collectively. I would like to see Aryan grow up and embrace himself, love himself so much that he can spread it all around. Just as I had these thoughts, he came around from behind with a paper bookmark in his hand (which apparently was his airplane and gave it a sound effect) as he slowly held my hand and walked out of the hospital building.
 
I somewhat understand the chaos that Dipti (his mom) goes through. Being able to gift the world a new human being and ensuring he grows up to be a fine gentleman is a task in itself! The patience, the love, the sadness, the excitement, the challenge, the ‘I want to prove it to the world’ feeling, the frustration, the fatigue, the ability to absorb sarcasm, the endurance, the caress, the hug and more importantly – the morning smile to see another day being a proud mother to Aryan. He consumes her life. She’s struggling. Sometime she cribs and justifies but at the end she’s just a human with a heart. A mother, who lives by her family tying them in a circle of love. I salute her spirit!
 
As for me, I look forward to having a good time with children. Very few are privileged to relive their childhood days. I’m glad I went against all odds to live a life of happiness. A feeling we all crave for. A feeling we continuously chase. The day I learnt that there lived a little boy, whose name is Aryan and who needs someone by his side, I made a promise that the only reason why I would agree to help him out was only because he is going to change my life in someway, someday! 

Posted by Shaily Shah on Jul 5, 2013 | permalink