Every artist has a story. But behind every story, there’s a parent who has watched their child stumble, tear up, and finally soar beyond every limitation the world tried to place on them. So, we reached out to these strongest parents of our artists with one simple question — “What is that one moment that made you the proudest and a stereotype that your child shattered?” The answers we received will blow your mind!

“When Varun was diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome, neighbours would whisper and point. I was “the mother of a disabled child.” I smiled back at them, but inside, I hurt. That smile was a mask, until the day someone looked at me and asked, 'Aren’t you artist Varun’s mother?' That day, my smile was real. My boy went from quietly sketching in a corner to leading confident doodling sessions, and in doing so, he changed not just the label the world put on him, but the one they put on me.”

"Aditya is on the Autism Spectrum. When he was trying for admissions during his +2 years, not one mainstream school wanted to take him in. I remember feeling helpless, wondering why society was so quick to shut the door. But three years ago, the universe flipped the script and everything changed. He was named 'Student of the Year' at Vedantha College, Bangalore University. I can still hear the applause in that hall. We couldn’t stop smiling (and crying) when we saw our boy on that stage.”

"Gayatri has Down Syndrome. As a child, she hardly spoke in public, she’d mostly whisper to me in social gatherings. I never imagined she would one day stand in front of a hundred corporate managers, speaking about herself with grace and authority. Today, she not only commands a room, but leads art sessions that light up every face. I feel so proud of my little girl when I see her owning that stage, not just once, but every single time.”

"When Swami was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, people laughed when he started painting. “It’s just a hobby,” they said, as if art couldn’t be a serious pursuit. But it was this one moment that changed everything. I was invited to receive the Mother’s Day Award from the Governor of Tamil Nadu for his achievements. My heart was already full, but later, at an exhibition, I saw the Governor of Telangana stop in front of Swami’s temple and floral designs and admire them deeply. In that moment, I knew: my son’s greatest victory is his freedom to do what he loves, and nothing, not even prejudice, can take that away."

Living a life with disability is tough. But seeing your child living it, is ever tougher for parents. But then there are these moments. The quiet victories that speak louder than any stereotype ever could. To the world, they may be milestones. But to the parents, they are proof that their children are not defined by what society thinks they can’t do, but by the limitless beauty of what they choose to do.

Thane Girl Battles NEET Rules: Despite 90% Disability, She Fights to Be a Doctor

Maahi Rude, born with spina bifida and classified with 90% disability, has petitioned the Bombay High Court after being barred from taking NEET due to exceeding the 70% disability limit. An interim order now allows her to attempt the 2025 exam, as she continues to challenge regulations that she says unjustly penalize her capability. (Source: TOI)

Parents of disabled kids can sign for them on Boards Forms

The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education has introduced a new provision allowing parents of children with writing disabilities to sign board registration forms on their behalf, provided they submit a doctor’s certificate and a declaration. The move ensures that forms are legally valid and accessible, preventing forms from going unsigned. (Source: TOI)

Atypical Advantage is India’s largest livelihood platform for Persons with Disabilities(PWD). Whether it is a singer looking for a show, a visual artist looking to sell their paintings, or job seekers with disabilities looking for career opportunities, it bridges the supply & demand side inefficiencies so that Persons with Disabilities can earn a dignified income. We have a large pool of 40,000+ talents with disabilities and have worked with 450+ corporates within a short span of 4 years. We were also featured on Shark Tank Season 2 and were declared the winner of the prestigious National Startup Award for Social Impact, and the National Award for Best Organization empowering persons with disabilities in 2024, conferred by the Union Government. For more information, visit our website here.