To Divya, with love from Esther

This is the story of a mother who strived against all odds, which destiny gave her. Esther Thomas had great hopes for Divya when she came as a new member in to her life. But soon she discovered that Divya is not like the normal kids. Esther came to know that her little daughter is a Down syndrome kid.

In Esther's words, "It took seven precious years to cope with the fact that my daughter is a Down syndrome victim." But she didn't loose hope.

When Divya was seven years old Esther joined for a course under Karnataka Parents Association of Mentally Retarded Children (KPAMC). She learned about various mental disorders, underwent training to take care of mentally challenged kids. "This was the turning point," says Esther. "After receiving training from KPAMC I gained confidence. I was able to understand my daughter better and support her." Then onwards, for more than nine years, Esther worked in a number of special schools, did courses for training special children and trained herself in vocational courses.

She worked in Army Special School from 1998-2001 where she trained children affected with all types of mental disorders. It was from here that Esther decided to start an institution exclusively for Down syndrome affected kids. She joined Bethany Special School in 2001. It is here that she began the groundwork for starting an institution solely for the Down syndrome victims. Esther received the Rehabilitation Council of India's Certificate in 2003, which allowed her to set up the organization.

In these years she visited places like National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Banglore, Mathru Mandir Down's Research Society the first Indian institute for Down syndrome victims in Chennai started by Rekha Ramachandran, whose daughter Babli is suffering from the same. From NIMH she received all the teaching materials needed for training the Down syndrome affected kids.

And finally on 10 Oct 2003, Esther with the help of her husband Robin Thomas, Hillary Francis and Sunita Painyuli, laid the foundation of Divya Downs' Development Trust (DDDT). DDDT was launched on June 7, 2004. Started with four children now DDDT has more than 14 children who receive training and care to lead a normal life. DDDT is a home for these kids, not a formal institution.

On this Women's Day, Esther has a message for all mothers of such mentally challenged kids, "The moment you realize that your child is mentally challenged, do try to accept the fact boldly, don't get depressed, because it will do no good to the child. I have lost precious early growing years of my daughter. This should not happen to any other mother. Now there are Early Intervention Programmes that will help mothers in taking care of such children. Through such measures you can know your child better and help him/her to face life better in future."