I came to know about CIL through Pushpanjali trust. I started attending their meetings and joined the group home campaign run by CIL. I have a son who has an intellectual disability and stayed in a residential home in another city for the past few years. I am a retired person and stay free most of the time at home. So life becomes very boring and depressive at times. After joining such a group I started giving time for the nobel cause of group home campaign. I had sent many emails addressing the urgent need of a group home facility in Chandigarh.

I was also part of the press conference held by CIL in March 2022 and after one week hon’ble administrator UT Chandigarh announced constructing a new group in Chandigarh. I am very happy that with the collective efforts of all caregivers and professionals, construction work of group home building has now started. I feel at least somebody will get benefit out of this; I can realize the pain of not having a residential facility in a modern city like Chandigarh. I feel so proud to be a member of CIL. We are hopeful that a group home facility in Chandigarh would help other states to make such facilities for persons with mental disabilities.

My son is 32 years old and he has been suffering with Schizophrenia for the past 12 years. I belong to the economically weaker section (EWS). It has been a really tough time for me and my family. My two daughters are fortunately married and settled. I am worried about the future of my son.

Since the group home drive has started in Chandigarh I am associated with it. I had given the name of my son for the list submitted for the requirement of a group home in Chandigarh. I came to know about the group home concept in detail from the meetings conducted by CIL on time to time. I assured them to contribute as much as I can. They have guided my daughter to send emails on my behalf to the government authorities to address my concerns for the urgent need of a group home. My daughter also stays in touch with other members to get the latest information. My daughter has also joined the Annual General Body Meeting of CIl. We feel so good to be a part of CIL as this organization is working for the rights of caregivers and persons with mental illness. Now I have very less worry about the residential needs of my son as a group home building is already under construction.

(My daughter has written this note on my behalf. She is educated and works in a private company).