The company I work for believes in giving back to the community, and that is one of the reasons I love my employer. I was awarded Volunteer of the Year for the Americas for my work with Desi Moms Network. The recognition itself is an honor, and it comes with a ten-thousand-dollar donation to a charity of my choice.
I was interviewed by the Indian Employee Network, and those questions really made me think about my journey—my vision, hopes, expectations, and limitations.
The Third question I was asked: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in building and sustaining this community?
When I started building this community, I had no idea so many families were going through the same struggles. Breaking the silence around disability was the biggest challenge in the beginning.
I needed to create a space where moms felt safe to talk about their families, their children, the chaos, mental health struggles, and family dynamics—without fear of shame, stigma, or judgment. Most moms were hesitant. It took time, many phone calls, in-person meetings, trust-building, and constant reassurance.
Many moms were reluctant to commit to being part of the group due to time constraints and emotional exhaustion. It was hard to explain why they needed a village for themselves first. Their own need for personal support often took a backseat. It continues to be a consistent effort to keep the group active, find ways to engage them, and help them understand that their mental health is equally important.
Everyone comes to the group for different reasons, and their needs can change over time. Sometimes they need empathy, a place to vent. Other times it's information, resources, career advice, health concerns—or simply some fun. Meeting all these expectations can be challenging and requires us to constantly adjust our approach.
Cultural sensitivities and the dynamics of religion, language, caste, and region also play a role. It's important to ensure no one feels left out, unheard, or judged.
I’ve had to learn how to keep the group going without burning out. Organizing events, answering calls, planning, connecting people, bringing in resources, listening to personal and school-related issues—keeping up the momentum while balancing full-time work, family, and my own life—it gets exhausting. I do sometimes ask myself, “Why am I doing this?”
It also took time to build credibility and explain the “Desi” context to people. While reaching out to professionals, therapists, nonprofits, schools, government departments, and doctors, I had to explain the unique stigma associated with disability in the Indian community. Often, Indians are associated with tech and professional success. It was important to show that not every Desi fits into the model minority narrative.
I have to be the voice of the community. It’s not always easy to help mothers understand why advocacy—both for our children and our community—is critical. Why it’s essential to show up in broader disability advocacy spaces, and to be seen and heard.
The journey is not easy, but even with its challenges the sense of connection and community is all worth it.
A simple cotton for Saree at work day. My Mondays are so much fun.
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