Motherhood, for them, might have been a highly challenging journey, but these ‘special mothers' look at their experiences with pride, a sense of fulfilment and are grateful for the purpose driven life they are able to live today. A normal day could be far tougher than just getting ready for work well in time or managing the mundane but that, in no way, prevents these mothers of children with special needs from cherishing the joys that being a mum brings them. "Each morning, the first thought I get is that of my son Sharan. Seeing him and being with him has strengthened me in a lot of ways and it is this love that keeps me going," said Mansha Anil, mother of 21-year-old Sharan, a student at Mawaheb for Beautiful People. When she learned her son suffered from muscular dystrophy, she knew "the road would not be easy. He studied in a regular school until grade 12 and wanted to become an architect… but I am happy that he loves to paint, there is Special Family Support (SFS) group we have joined and he is at Mawaheb and all of this keeps him busy." ‘Life is beautiful with her' It was the toughest day of my life, recalls Maria Teresa Saado, a Filipina, about the day she learnt that her newborn had a heart problem and Down's syndrome. "She was only 11 months when she had a heart surgery. But over the years she has grown up and I can proudly say that Chantal, to me is not just my daughter but also my very good friend. We shop together, we dance, we sing. Life with her is so much more beautiful." Saado, quit her job to look after her children and "has no regrets about that". "I forget all my weariness or sadness when my daughter lovingly puts her arms around me and tells me how much she loves me." Chantal, 21, is now working at "Smiles and Stuff' store in Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs. ‘Flowers in a garden' Rouya Bundakji, a mother, has not only grown stronger as an individual but she says having her son Hussain has also given her a purpose in life and that she is very keen to do her bit for other individuals who have special needs. "Every child, I would say is like a flower in a garden. These children need special care and I am proud to be his mother. It has given me a purpose and I want to do something for others." Talk to her about the challenges and she says: "Twenty one years ago when Hussain was born, there were not many facilities. I have tried to get everything I could for him but better facilities certainly make a difference. Now that he is at Mawaheb, life is certainly better. As parents we do worry what our children will do after they finish their school and yes, we need many more opportunities for them to be included in the society." Amerah Jaffar, mother of Zaid, says: "I have not treated Zaid any different from my other two children. They are unique in themselves and need more attention. I am a proud mother."