Beyond the macrame bags, stitched pouches, and hand-beaded jewelry that define Made by Special, lies something even more valuable, the voices of its creators. These are not just artists; they are children and young adults with autism and developmental differences who work every day at Disha Charitable Trust to craft products rooted in skill, joy, and identity.
In a recent visit to Disha’s vibrant classrooms, the Made by Special team sat down with several of these young makers. Their words were soft, simple, but brimming with self-awareness, purpose, and pride.
Take Shoaib, for example. With a bright smile, he listed his talents without hesitation:
“I like ironing, stitching, jewelry, macrame… I like making bags,” he said confidently. His favorite?
“Dori work. Anything with thread. Especially macrame bags and phone slings.”
He shared that it takes him about one hour to finish a macrame piece, a quiet blend of focus, rhythm, and care. That’s not just a product; it’s an hour of dignity, made visible.
Soham Rajput enthusiastically described his creative process:
“I make bags on the machine, roti covers, art and putti too. But my favorite is machine work. I like sewing and threading.”
His eyes lit up when he spoke of his teacher:
“Minal Ma’am is my favorite.”
Then there’s Neelam, Her admiration for Ankita Ma’am was evident, a bond built on patience and shared growth. She was composed and clear in her focus.
“I make jewelry,” she said, adding that she completes five pieces a day. Her dreams stretch beyond the present “When I get older, I want to keep making jewelry… and also learn the sewing machine and cutting.”
What emerges from these conversations is a powerful truth: these young creators aren’t waiting to be helped, they are ready to be seen. Their work is a reflection of capability, not charity. And through Made by Special, that visibility is transforming into opportunity.
“We always say our products are handmade,” shared one team member. “But what they really are is heart-made. Crafted by children who approach their work with more care and commitment than most adults ever will.”
Each product sold funds therapy, training, and resources at Disha. But more than that, it amplifies the voices of children like Shoaib, Soham, and Neelam, who are not only crafting products, but futures.
What they wish you knew is simple: they are creators, dreamers, learners, and doers. And they deserve to be recognized not for what they lack, but for all that they bring.
In their hands, thread becomes purpose.
In their voices, creativity becomes courage.
And in every item, there’s a quiet but resounding reminder:
They are not defined by a diagnosis, they’re defined by what they create.
And everything they create is truly Made by Special.
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