Sri Lanka, March 19 -- Globally, nearly 240 million children, aged 0 to 17 years-approximately 1 in 10-live with disabilities, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Therefore, it can be said that identifying a disability in a child is difficult for certain conditions. Meanwhile, the social stigma associated with this handicap plays a major role in shaping thinking in the society.

In a quiet corner of the country, where stigma often outweighs effort, a determined mother and her 11-year-old son have proven that determination and love can triumph over adversity. This child was born with a severe developmental delay. When he was born, societal rejection began among his close associates. His grandparents struggled to accep...