Mothers with special children touched by treat in S'ban hotel

The Star

4 days ago

Andrew (right) and Anita (left) celebrating the mothers with special children.
SINGLE mother S. Gayithiri was lost for words when she was honoured at a belated Mothers Day celebration for her role in raising her six-year-old twin girls born with special needs.
The 46-year-old veterinary assistant and nine other women who raised special needs children were treated to a sumptuous meal and celebrated at a hotel in Seremban, Negri Sembilan.
The event was organised by the Malaysian Public Service Society (MPSS).
Gayithiri said it was the first time she had celebrated Mothers Day.
'I felt truly humbled. It goes to show that there are people out there who care and appreciate mothers who raise their special needs children despite the hardships and daily challenges,' she said.
Gayithiri's twins both have autism. The older twin, Sri Theva Sena, also suffers from hemiplegia, which refers to ­paralysis that affects one side of the body.
Both girls were born premature at 33 weeks.
'I'm happy to have met other mothers with special needs children.
'We are able to exchange notes on so many things,' she said, adding that she also got invaluable information on schools for children with special needs.
Aznah Mohd Jani, 61, who attended the event with her 35-year-old daughter Nurul Atiqah Md Fauzi, also thanked MPSS for holding the event.
'Nurul Atiqah, the second of my three children, has Down Syndrome with hearing, vision and heart-related ailments since birth.
'Although the hospital is like a second home as she has many appointments, we are happy to be able to be here to celebrate this very special day,' said Aznah, a former teacher at a school for children with special needs.
MPSS chairman Andrew Raju said the event themed 'Mothers' Loving Touch' was to celebrate mothers for their sacrifices in raising their special children.
'Raising a child with special needs can be emotionally ­challenging, not to mention the other challenges such as ­managing the financial costs and getting the proper schools or centres for them to learn basic things.
'We are here today not only to celebrate Mothers Day, but also to recognise and appreciate the great contributions of such mothers in raising special children with love,' he said.
Andrew said these mothers were not only the primary caregivers but also teachers, nurses, protectors and true friends to their special children.
Since parents are always concerned how their special children would cope after their passing, he said the authorities should consider building a special home that could be both a safehouse and development centre for these children.
'The home can be a collaboration between NGOs, therapists, psychologists and the community to create a sustainable ecosystem of support.
'With fundings from the state and collaborations between the local authorities and community organisations, this initiative, I believe, can be realised,' said Andrew, while thanking donors for making the project a success.
MPSS women's wing bureau chief Anita Timothy urged the medical authorities to help parents with special needs children by providing them with more frequent follow-up appointments compared to between four and six months currently.
'This is important to ensure their development is not hampered.
'It is also hoped that private medical centres can help such parents by reducing the treatment cost, as insurance companies do not generally cover these children,' she said.
She added that teachers should also be given extensive training to cope with the children's emotional dispositions.