What does it mean to love and respect your child — fully, exactly as they are?

In this episode, Ira talks to Sushama about her journey as a mother to a child with autism. She shares how she never asked “Why me?” or “Why now?”. Instead, she focused on her role as the parent. What she could do to equip her child to best deal with the world that might not always be kind to her. Because some struggles come not from the person but from the way our world is currently designed. 

It’s a conversation about acceptance, perspective, and allowing yourself to make mistakes. Along the way, you might also discover unexpected, unnoticed beauty hiding in plain sight.

This is Sushama's invitation to approach all - especially the neurodivergent - with love, respect and curiosity.

For more information, click here.

​00:00 – Introduction: Sushama and Aarti's Early Story

01:22 – Aarti’s Birth & Early Health Challenges

07:39 – ​Family Life and Support

14:14 – Processing Expectations, Grief & Acceptance​

17:43 – Mountains, Yoga & Finding Inner Balance

20:12 – Aarti’s Insight, Language Challenges & Strengths

24:48 – Moving to the ​U​S: ​Navigating the Culture and Challenges of Limited Support

29:50 – ​D​ivya's Experience as Aarti's Sibling

33:56 – Returning to India & Rebuilding Life

35:01 – Can Caregivers Have a Life?

36:22 – Preparing Aarti for Independence

41:45 – Respect, Diversity & Early Lessons in Equality

45:52 – Why Relationships With Disabled People Are Hard for Many

53:57 – Focusing on What We Can Control

55:20 – Emotional Hygiene

56:08 – ​Closing Remarks and Resources

CREDITS:

Host: Ira Khan 

Agatsu Foundation Team 

Research: Rohini Sen 

Art Design: Neeta Borkar

Creative Consultant: Abhishek Saha 

Theme Music: Amit Kumar (OtoAcoustic)

This is a Maed in India production

Head of Production: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome

Director & Video Editor: Jishnu Guha 

Visual Designer: Alika Gupta

Producer: Ruchi Sawardekar, Quoyina Ghosh

Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni

Asst. Sound Recordist & Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar

Production Coordinator: Natasha Vakil

Recorded at Island City Studios, Mumbai