"Every parent with autistic kids face this question, 'What will happen to our children after us?'
Magatha wants this world to be as much for her and her son as it is for others. She started introducing people, She thought that it would be the way he would be able to live his life.
Madhav, why is that?
However, the other children had a lot of questions about madhav because he looked different which made them upset. Like shaking your hand or head repeatedly.
In India, as in Pakistan, there are many misconceptions about autism and the lack of accurate information makes it difficult to communicate with the general public.
People around often ask, Why does he put his hands over his ears? He looks at them and does not listen to them"
Magadha has answered these questions by creating a comic book.
"Not so different"
Madhav is the main character of this comic book called 'Not That Different' and his story revolves around his specific school-going experience.
It was an easy decision for Magadha to cast madhav in the comic's 'Neuro Diversity' role.
"Why would I hide it?" She asked. I want to give voice to his experience and if you want people to understand the little problems you face then you have to share your personal experiences with them.
Comic characters
Magadha used her sketches and pictures to evoke children and their impressions. For example, if there is a smiling face, all the teeth are visible and the back of the face is also visible.
Drawing Madhav's picture was the opposite experience. She was afraid that madhav might look less intelligent or rude in his pictures.
Like the part of the comic book in which madhav puts his hand over his ear because he doesn't like noise.
He didn't like being around a lot of people, singing 'Happy Birthday' out loud, the children not touching his things in his room. This year has taught me a lot that what I thought was right for him was not right for him. So now on his birthday, we fill the roof of his room with balloons, cook his favourite food (noodles) and go to the zoo with one or two friends.
But finding a publisher for comics was not an easy task. Traditional publishers were nervous about this. He thought that people would lose interest in it and people would not get involved in it.
Nidhi Mishra's website Bookosmia was ready to take the risk.
Hope instead of fear
According to Magadha, the experience of the day when Madhan was diagnosed with Autism shook her from within and she became very angry with god and the world.
Despite this, Magadha did not stop taking Madhu out. It took time but they learned to live in hope instead of fear.
"It helped me a lot to understand why madhav was born to me," said Magadha. Living with Him is very comforting as if being close to God. He is so innocent that he seems to be satisfied with just being close to you.
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