The Hand That Rocks The Cradle…

The diagnosis of Williams Syndrome when Sana was just 8 months initially came as a shock but Poonam having done a Master’s Degree programme in Early Childhood Education and equipped with a Diploma in Counselling and Psychology, she was better prepared than most young mothers. Together with the support of her extended family, well-meaning friends and colleagues, she has managed to not only help Sana but take care of Shaurya, her secondborn. Poonam ensures that he is not deprived of quality time with her and is focused on helping him achieve his potential. Besides that, she is convinced that to help Sana effectively, she would have to liaise with other existing early intervention services and so she sought assistance from occupational therapists and speech therapists. Local Councils and community centres provided invaluable information that she needed to best serve her daughter’s needs.

It was during this time that Poonam decided to delve into a new business. She prepared herself by attending special courses and doing her own research on children with special needs and was actively involved in forums and joined learning groups to further enhance her knowledge in the field of special education. Sana, being her source of inspiration, Poonam started her journey into the world of pre-schooling in Sydney in 2010. Opening her first-day care centre Wiggles and Giggles in Prestons on the 25th of October 2010 was the start of Poonam’s venture. Now they have branches providing before and after school plus vacation care services in Dural, Cranebrook, Leonay and Prestons. These centres pride on providing high-quality care and education and are run by a fully qualified team of educators. The tried and tested curriculum is promising and prepares children from infancy to preschool. Staff are given training to better understand children with additional needs. It was by no means smooth sailing as funds were short and taking on the responsibility of handling so many children proved to be an unnerving adventure. This burden inevitably gave her sleepless nights as she suffered social isolation and stress, having to spend hours at work but it was rewarding as the experiential learning was incredible.

Every day Poonam was learning something new from the talented people she had the pleasure of meeting whilst setting up her first preschool. In order to reach out to families of children with special needs, information was collated and an information folder was created with a list of local early intervention service details. This initiative deserves a pat on the back and Poonam knew best that when challenges overwhelm, it can be a real relief when help is within arm’s length in the shape of a well-researched informative document. Poonam engaged the help of support agencies to partake in events so as to promote greater awareness of the cause. They in turn showed their support to family and staff and catered to the children in an inclusive environment. Poonam having undergone a very rough ride with Sana knew that her preschool centres had to be similar to community schools and acknowledged the importance of having open discussions with parents on the ever-changing needs of the children. In keeping everything on track, the administration organises room leader meetings, staff meetings, and management and parents meeting to foster better and more effective links with the intention to facilitate learning and increase the involvement of parents in their children’s development and progress.

A pertinent feature in all the centres is that they also provide transportation thus curbing heavy traffic besides reducing pollution. Another attraction is the studentteacher ratio which is 30:01 thus ensuring that each child is given sufficient attention and all their cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains are engaged. In her quest to reach out to more people, the schools organise social events like Pink Ribbon Day, Loud Shirt Day, Daffodil Day, Williams Syndrome Cupcake Picnic Day and Walkathons. These activities promote the understanding of the disease amongst the public which is hoped will prepare them to see that these children needed more than empathy as although they looked normal physically, they had limitations as their delay in global development needed to be understood. The Williams Syndrome Australia and the Williams Syndrome Family Support Group in Victoria provided Poonam with the resources she required. There are also schools like the Mater Dei School, which caters to children with mild to moderate intellectual disability. It is a coeducational setting for students from Kindergarten to Year 12. Poonam partakes in the annual picnics organised by this school where people from different ethnic groups and ages come under one roof to share their stories. Watching adults with Williams Syndrome can be an experience in itself but on the bright side, listening to them is both educational and enlightening.

Poonam relishes being Sana’s mum and it brings her the greatest joy as Sana’s effusive nature, makes loving her truly easy. Poonam shares her own personal view of her daughter,

While all this is heart-warming, Poonam has her fears as well where Sana is concerned as her all-trusting nature leaves her open to the danger of strangers abusing this trust. Whilst entrusting Sana with independence and responsibility, her safety is also a prime concern. Sana has made Poonam very proud with her ability to interact with people - singing in front of a crowd and winning. In addition to organising a presentation in front of her whole year group about Williams Syndrome, Sana could answer questions pertaining to the condition that had plagued her since birth. These were the highlights that brought tears of joy to Poonam, the mother who orchestrated her whole life around her child. Little does this humble mother gloat or glorify her role in shaping Sana to be the wonderful person she is.

Poonam the budding entrepreneur has this to say to other mothers of children with special needs who are keen to stretch their capabilities further and do more for themselves,

Poonam has dreams for the betterment of the community. She is convinced that there is a need for more trained special needs educators in mainstream schools. In creating a networking system within the school, families of these children would benefit and nobody will be left feeling alone, afraid and ignorant. Councils need to advertise and organise courses to train parents to manage their children in the best way possible. Poonam on her part has played the role of campaigner and has managed to raise awareness of Williams Syndrome and brought in funds to the tune of over 1 million AUD to help the Westmead Children’s Hospital and The Ponds School, a school for special education. This will fund further research and her fervent desire is that in the coming years, Williams Syndrome will not be feared but understood. Though a cure is not in sight just now but one can still hope and until that time may every family with a child with Williams Syndrome have the support, resources, education and financial assistance to welcome this child with open arms. Poonam is indeed an inspiration. She is a mother who through her adversity has learned that she has strengths she did not know she had and dealt with fears that she did not even know existed.