Empowering Differently-Abled Children to Lead Their Lives With Dignity

When schools refused to admit her differently-abled child, Sejal Shah decided to build a new system by setting up the Mariposa Foundation Centre as a haven for children with disabilities.

“My daughter Viha is a fighter. I don't see her as a challenge, but I took her as a new beginning, not just for Viha but for every child like her,” says Sejal.

Sejal had to face stigmas at every turn when her premature baby was diagnosed as differently abled and lost her vision at birth. Instead of losing hope, however, Sejal turned the challenge into an opportunity by founding the Mariposa Foundation Centre for children with multiple disabilities. Taking inspiration from her daughter’s fortitude and positive spirit, she turned rejection into renewal.

Deciding to give her child the best life possible, Sejal rented a 600-square-foot space and founded Mariposa in Mumbai to fill the void in specialised care for children with disabilities and on the autism spectrum.

Mariposa means butterfly and the centre, whose motto is ‘colourful and free’, focuses on empowering children with disabilities with life skills so that they can lead a life of dignity. Special educators offer physiotherapy as well as speech, sensory integration, art and other therapies based on each child’s individual needs. The centre also counsels and supports parents of children with disabilities.

Running the centre is not easy, though, and Sejal faced numerous challenges in the early years. “Funds ran low. People did not trust the institution because it was run by a mother. But I decided to keep the mission alive,” she says.

Soon, positive word-of-mouth led to more children enrolling at Mariposa. Sejal and her team offer one-on-one sessions and the chance of a better life to 40 children today. Every child is unique with their own challenges and talents. But as Sejal says: “All they need is one fair chance.” And all it takes is one determined mother to fill the world with hope.

Aditya Birla Group is happy to partner The Better India to bring to light inspiring stories of people acting as #AForceForGood.