The Story of Erisha: A Journey of Passion, Purpose, and Rebirth
In November 2014, Erisha began in the humblest of ways—a single room dedicated to speech and language interventions in Trivandrum. It wasn’t even part of my plan to start a private practice; I was simply searching for a place that valued the deep commitment needed for special needs care. After leaving Bangalore, I found myself unable to settle into the roles offered in Trivandrum. And so, Erisha was born, almost by accident, in response to a need I couldn’t ignore.
The journey started quietly, but soon word spread, and families began arriving, each bringing their unique story, their hopes, and often, their struggles. Within a year, 18 to 20 children were on my caseload, and I was bursting at the seams. Every day, parents shared with me their frustrations with the lack of comprehensive, ethical support systems for their children. Their stories fuelled my determination to create a space where children could thrive, not just survive. My small practice needed to grow—and it needed a team as passionate as I was.
In March 2016, we expanded into a new space, and the heart of Erisha began to take shape. We carefully built a team: a psychologist, an occupational therapist, a special educator, and more. Together, we became a community committed to each child’s success. We weren’t just a therapy center; we were a village, a support system, a source of hope and healing. From carnivals to parent workshops, support groups to school collaborations, we poured our energy into building an environment where awareness, inclusion, and support could flourish. We launched pilot projects in inclusive schooling, created our own materials, and—most importantly—formed a team that believed in Erisha’s mission as fiercely as I did.
In 2020, like so many others, we were struck by the sudden upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic. Shifting online presented obstacles we couldn’t overcome. It was a heart-breaking decision to pause, but we never lost sight of our vision. Although we dispersed, each of us carried the spirit of Erisha with us in our individual work. Erisha became more than a center; it became a culture of care, integrity, and dedication that lived on in all of us.
Now, four years later, it feels surreal and beautiful to announce the rebirth of Erisha. This year, which also marks the 10th anniversary of our journey, Erisha is returning with a renewed vision, filled with hope, heart, and the energy of every lesson learned along the way. We’re thrilled to reunite the core team, each of us bringing fresh skills, wisdom, and even greater compassion for our work. This time, Erisha comes back with a whole new look and expanded dreams—to be a place where children with special needs are seen, supported, and celebrated every step of the way.
Erisha is back, and we are ready, more than ever, to walk with families, support every child’s journey, and create a brighter, more inclusive future. Here’s to the next chapter in Erisha’s story. Welcome back!
Why We’re Bringing Back Erisha
Through the years, Erisha hadn’t been actively functioning. I felt like I was looking through a different lens, starting to notice the gaps in services that families of children with special needs were facing. Initially, like a parent receiving a first-hand diagnosis, I was in denial. I tried to ignore these signs, though deep down, I knew the truth. The feeling that I couldn’t do it all alone, especially without adequate resources and the heavy burden of securing finances, held me back. But as each day passed, it felt like the universe kept bringing these needs in front of me, again and again, almost as if pushing me toward the decision to bring back the beautiful work we used to do at Erisha.
The past four years have taught me more than I would have learned, had I tried to run the space alone. It’s given a clear realization that there is a real huge gap of services and experiences that a family of a special needs child lack access to. From assessments to guiding and supporting parents through the emotional journey of understanding a diagnosis and helping them with adequate resources to navigate through their unique challenges. The idea to a much needed ecosystem that offers to be a supportive community in all its sense.
Erisha focusses on ensuring that every family deserves access to continuous, comprehensive support that evolves with their child into adulthood.
We’re not here to fix problems or offer short-term solutions; we’re building an everlasting ecosystem. Our journey is unique, founded on values of compassion, empathy, and integrity, and we are committed to holistic growth. We deeply value diversity and acknowledge the full potential of every child. This is why Erisha is coming back—to be a constant source of support and care for families who need it.