On November 14th, 1983, The Child Development Centre initiated by ASHIRVAD, a charity for Child Development and Integrated Living, commenced its service at Chennai.
Having left our familiar clinical work with children at Christian Medical College, Vellore, following a series of events, which turned our attention to Neuro-developmentally challenged children, we set out on this journey.
The two Bulbuls above, looked perplexed and vigilant at day break, when they were perched in our garden, in preparation for their flight path for the day!
I suspect that was how Anna and I felt at that time. What was faintly clear to us was only an inner sense of purpose to be available to Neuro-developmentally challenged children and their parents. With no formal training in this specialised area, or a support system, or a path laid out, it was a beginning in suspense.
Now as we complete 47 years, since then, what brings is a sense of surprise about how that small beginning developed into a discipline of clinical and academic sub-speciality of Developmental Paediatrics in India.
What began with faltering steps in that exploratory journey, led us through situations well beyond our imagination. With child development services started in Chennai, Nagpur, and at CMC Vellore, PIMS Pondichery and MOSCMC, Kolenchery, that beginning at Chennai, became an initiator for clinical services and academic pursuit in different places.
Anna and I remember the support of the Bible Medical Missionary Fellowship, Friends of ASHIRVAD in India and overseas and all our colleagues at work in the different places who fostered the vision of supporting Neuro-developmentally challenged children to flourish.
What stands out is the way, children and parents became our formators in leading us on a path that needed guidance and experience.
When many children and their parents express their regards gratefully, for the support they received, we feel blessed by their thoughtful responses.
Anna and I continue working on a few more publications since we formally retired two years ago, to leave behind our experiences and insights on parent involved child development and rehabilitation practice.
We feel moved to witness so much happening in child development and rehabilitation in India currently !
Anna and I too have a song of gratitude in our hearts for the way God led us through these years!
We remember parents, children and our professional colleagues and greet them with flowers from our garden!
M.C.Mathew( photo and text)
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