A mother's journey.....every child's voice matters

Lakshmi Kannan started as a mother of twin children(one with disability), focusing on their needs. She eventually built her career in tech and not limiting herself to catering to children’s needs alone. She had a bigger vision. Today she is providing training and support to mothers like her who underwent a lot of difficulties to offer everything to their neurodiverse children. While doing so Lakshmi is taking the help of technology to create awareness and reach out to women having children with disability. She closely works with Speech therapist, Special Educators and Parents who want their children to communicate. She also works with coordinating the training and implementation of Avaz accross a few special schools in India.

Lakshmi has 10+ years of working experience. She is post graduate in English, with UGC Net. Earlier used to work as an Executive Secretary. Soon she had to quit her job. Lakshmi devoted maximum time to taking care of her twins Roshan and Roshini, both being differently diagnosed with neurotypical and neuro-diverse conditions.

However, hardship never stopped her from believing in herself. While providing the best for children and understanding their needs, Lakshmi came across Avaz a decade back.  AVAZ is basically a picture and text-based AAC app that empowers children and adults with complex communication needs to express themselves and learn. Lakshmi wanted her child to feel normal, and be able to voice his needs.

Lakshmi who proudly calls herself Roshan’s amma says, “I strongly believe in Inclusion. Advocating the rights of communication for every child makes me an exception. Be it neurotypical or diverse, I believe every child has the right to express or ask anything anytime anywhere.”

While helping her son with App, she got introduced with App company, and is working. Lakshmi after her son’s death started to work with children to acquire communication in a school. She on her confidence, going forward chose the tech field to build her career. As an AAC users parent, she learnt & trained her child to use Avaz. Today she has seen Avaz from inside, while she has lived the spirit of empathy, she also applauds the hardship & technical minds behind the app. She started working with Avaz as a trainer. She feels despite being short of technical knowledge, the team has been supportive and understanding. For Lakshmi working with a company associated with a disability is very personal. Her son is no more, but she hasn’t lost her faith.

Lakshmi aspires to pursue a Ph.D. in English Language Teaching (ELT) with a specialization in Emergent literacy. Lakshmi says, “I see myself progressing strongly toward empowering professionals and parents. I look forward to seeing a lot of children with disability in India being empowered and benefiting through technology. I strongly believe it will be a life-changing aspect for many children like my Roshan.

Lakshmi believes as a parent her child’s thoughts and independence matter the most to her. Technology can help reduce dependency making it easy for them to manage their disability and live a normal life.