Turning Difficult News into Collective Action

Vidya P., a parent and advocate, shares her reflections on how parents often react with fear when they hear distressing news. She invites families to look beyond the “what ifs” and instead channel their energy into awareness, dialogue, and collective action, so every child can grow in safer and more caring spaces.

Whenever we hear about something unpleasant happening around us, it is natural to react in two ways. We may feel relieved that it did not happen to us, or we may begin worrying about how we would cope if it did. This response, Vidya reflects, is human. It helps us plan and stay prepared. At the same time, she believes it is important to notice when this worry begins to take over and leave us feeling stretched thin.

When distressing incidents come up in the news

Vidya mentions that she recently came across news reports about certain schools mistreating and neglecting their students with disabilities. For her and a lot of other parents, reading such stories was deeply painful. Incidents like these are unacceptable, and they serve as a reminder of the urgent need to ensure safety, dignity, and respect for every child.

She speaks about how conversations on social media that followed centered around questions like: “What if this happens to my child?” or “Who will care for my child if something happens to me?” She understands these fears well, knowing how naturally they arise from love. At the same time, she feels it is important that families are not held hostage by fear.

Shifting from fear to action

Vidya believes that instead of being gripped by endless “what ifs,” parents and caregivers can allow such moments to guide them toward something constructive. Painful news, while difficult to process, can become a signal for us to strengthen structures of care. For Vidya, it is an invitation to:

• Create checks and balances in the systems that serve children.
• Ask important questions about accountability in schools and care centers.
• Advocate for safer, more inclusive spaces.
• Open up more conversations in our communities about how children with disabilities can be better supported.
  

Moving forward together

She emphasizes that every child deserves to feel safe, respected, and cared for. As parents, caregivers, and community members, we hold real power when we come together to raise awareness and demand better practices.

For her, distressing news may feel overwhelming, but it also carries a reminder that we are not alone. By channeling our emotions into dialogue, action, and shared responsibility, she believes we can help create environments where children thrive with dignity.

🎥 You can also watch another video by Vidya, where she shares more about accepting the diagnosis, processing complex emotions, and finding strength through self-kindness and realistic hope.

If you have questions about Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, or other intellectual disabilities, or have concerns about developmental delays in a child, the Nayi Disha team is here to help. For any questions or queries, please contact our FREE Helpline at 844-844-8996. You can call or what’s app us. Our counselors speak different languages including English, Hindi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu, and Bengali.