Support excluded kids with disabilities in India

Yashvi grew up in a rural village in West Bengal, where her father worked as a daily wage labourer and her family struggled to meet basic needs. From an early age, Yashvi experienced difficulties with her mobility and speech, but living in a constant state of survival, her family had little access to healthcare, early screening, or rehabilitation. They did their best, but did not know how to support her fully.

When our partner visited her village to raise awareness about inclusive care for children with disabilities, they were encouraged to meet Yashvi. At just a year and a half old, she was bedridden, with severely limited mobility and no quality of life. Her parents, emotionally exhausted and unaware of her condition, believed her struggles were a divine curse and felt improvement was impossible. Fear, stigma, and lack of knowledge made it hard for them to imagine a future where Yashvi could thrive.

A multidisciplinary team assessed Yashvi and diagnosed her with Global Developmental Delay, a condition affecting multiple areas of development. From that moment, support focused not just on Yashvi but on her family. The team provided physiotherapy, speech therapy, special education, nutritional support, and ongoing parental counselling, empowering her parents to understand her needs, challenge stigma, and actively participate in her care. The approach combined early stimulation, consistency, and community-based rehabilitation.

Now ten years old, Yashvi’s transformation is remarkable. Her mobility has improved so much that she attends dance classes and social outings with her school. She is active, confident, and part of her community. Her parents are proud and grateful that Yashvi can be seen, heard, and celebrated. Without this support, she might have remained excluded socially, emotionally, and physically. Today, Yashvi is living proof that with early, holistic care and family engagement, children with developmental challenges can flourish.