I want to express my gratitude to Manish Samnani for this opportunity. I couldn't turn down this offer because I will never forget how he stood up for Together We Can when we were facing criticism and trolling from certain occupational therapists in Kerala due to one or maybe two individuals who chose to misinterpret our words. It's astonishing that the person responsible for this manipulation still heads the forum. However, it's heartening to see that we now have substantial support from various occupational therapists, not just in Kerala and India but also from professionals outside our country. Manish, you took the lead in fostering this positive change, and I want to say a heartfelt thank you. I hope that more professionals find the courage to advocate for ethical, transparent, accountable, and inclusive practices in the disability sector. Let's not romanticize our work simply because we work with one of the most vulnerable populations: children with disabilities. Their rights are our responsibility. We should refrain from bestowing angelic wings or self-righteous nobility on what we do. Instead, let's be open to learning from every family we work with. Their profound knowledge about their children is invaluable, and, in the end, it's their quality of life that we aim to enhance. In return, we gain a wealth of knowledge. Let's remember the principle of "NOTHING_ABOUT_THEM_WITHOUT_THEM." Is it an "Us vs. Them" situation? While we acknowledge and appreciate differences, let's also respect and understand that being different doesn't mean being less. Together, we can make a significant difference. Thank you, Manish, for once again leading the way as an occupational therapist in advocating for more ethical, transparent, accountable, and inclusive practices within the disability sector. Your insightful questions allowed me to reflect on the past 20 years of my journey, and I appreciate the opportunity to strengthen my convictions. #THANK_YOU
