Travel Diaries - Trip to Surendranagar & Bajana Wildass Sanctuary

 

Being a mother to a neurodiverse adult has been one of the most humbling and transformative journeys of my life. Over the years, my priorities as a parent and teacher have evolved — constantly adapting to Akshat’s growth, his challenges, and his changing needs. There was a time when my entire focus revolved around enhancing his cognition — every activity, every goal, every plan was built around developing his understanding and intellect.

But as life unfolded, I realized that cognition, though important, is only one part of the puzzle. What truly matters now are the life skills that empower him to navigate the world with confidence, and the social exposure that helps him feel included and accepted. Cognition hasn’t disappeared from the list — it’s simply found a new place, making space for what’s most essential today.

With this in mind, I am always on the lookout for meaningful opportunities to give Akshat the social experiences he deserves — those rare and precious moments where inclusion is not just a word, but a lived reality. And recently, we were blessed with one such beautiful experience — the kind every special parent secretly wishes for.

My dear friend and colleague, Meera, invited us to her hometown, Surendranagar (Gujarat), for a short stay. From there, we planned a visit to the Little Rann of Kutch and the Bajana Bird Sanctuary. To be honest, I was initially in a dilemma. Akshat struggles with social anxiety, and stepping into a new environment with unfamiliar faces always brings a wave of uncertainty. But Meera’s warmth, her genuine affection for Akshat, and her unwavering empathy gave me the courage to say yes.

And I’m so grateful I did.

From the moment we arrived, Meera’s family, especially her sister, welcomed us with such love and grace that my heart was full. Her sister had even brought a cake and asked Akshat to cut it — such a simple gesture, yet it touched me deeply. In that moment, I saw what true acceptance looks like. This small act of kindness became one of my most cherished memories.

What moved me even more was how naturally they treated Akshat — not as someone “different” or “special,” but as an equal, a young adult with his own identity, abilities, and charm. They appreciated his achievements — being a co-author of two books — and listened with genuine interest to his thoughts and expressions. For a parent like me, that feeling of your child being seen and celebrated just as they are is beyond words.

And to my surprise and immense joy, Akshat too responded beautifully. Despite his anxiety, he adapted well to the new surroundings, felt comfortable in their home, and even began to open up. We stayed there for two days and two nights, and by the end of it, he was at ease — laughing, engaging, and being his authentic self. To me, that was a victory worth a thousand milestones.

We returned home with hearts full of gratitude and countless memories — but more importantly, with a renewed sense of hope.

Special parents like us need more Meeras in the world — more families who embrace, include, and normalize our children’s presence in everyday life. It is through such people that true inclusion finds its meaning.

To Meera and her wonderful family, my deepest gratitude — may your tribe grow and multiply, so that many more Akshats can find their rightful place in the fabric of our society.

Ritu

Sharing Akshat's narration of the trip...Do read and comment!

This Diwali vacation, I and Mamma got the chance to visit her friend’s place in Surendranagar (Gujarat). She invited us to visit the Little Rann of Kutch and Bajana Bird Sanctuary, which are near Surendranagar.

Our trip started with a train journey of four hours to Surendranagar. It was a chair car. Travelling by train has become more comfortable than before. And it was only a four-hour journey, so I could manage.

We reached Surendranagar around 8 in the evening. Mamma’s friend, Meera Madam, came to receive us.

It was for the first time that I stayed at someone’s place I was not known to. The house was cool, good, and big. I liked the open space (backyard) in the house where I ran and enjoyed myself. There I met a young man, Pratikbhai. He was humble and lovely. It was his natural aura that attracted me.

I also met the parents of Meera Madam, her son Shiv, and her sister, Bhavani Aunty. They gave us a very friendly welcome. They even brought a cake to welcome me. How lovely of them! I felt so touched.

I think meeting people and exploring places have become doable for me.

I also met Shiv there. He is of my age and a nice guy. We ate together and had a good time together. I was very cautious about food. I had to control my eating because it is always good to eat less while travelling.

We stayed at Surendranagar for two days, and on the second day, we went to the Little Rann of Kutch. There is a wild ass as well as a bird sanctuary there. We went on a safari, and my goodness, what a sight it was! There are wetlands there, and many migratory birds come during winters. Apart from the wetlands, the land is arid and home to wild asses. It was an overwhelming tour, but I liked watching birds. Trips like this are very refreshing and help in uplifting the mood.

We returned at night, and everybody at home asked me about my experience. I responded using the Avaz keyboard.

Communication can be overwhelming at times for many on the spectrum. I did it with uncle and aunty because I like thinking and expressing myself. Communicating through Avaz is very good. I found it pretty interesting.

We left the next day in the afternoon for Baroda. The return journey was by car. It was a good drive, and even Shiv played some of my favourite songs, which was so nice of him. The four-hour journey became easy. After reaching home, I was tired, but this trip was worth tiring.

Akshat Rassay.

7-11-25