True winners of life

Kuldip Singh Dhir

Disha is an IIM alumna and works in the corporate sector, besides being actively involved in various social issues. She has charted real-life success stories of 15 differently-abled people in her book to inspire the reader to live life to the fullest. She has also minutely examined issues such as parenting, education, recreation, marriage, employment and technology in the context of the disabled.

Parenting plays the most important role in the life of the differently-abled children. Whenever they face criticism or negativity in society, parental attitude may bolster them up or pull them down. Parents must encourage them to discover the best in them and make efforts to stay positive.

Gadgets can make their lives easier, but what needs to be considered is how affordable and user-friendly these are for them in particular. Means of communication, educational centres and work places can be made disabled-friendly by spending only two per cent more than the amount allotted.

Human resource personnel, both in the public and private sector, have to get rid of their short-sighted approach towards the disabled. No big revolution can be brought about unless there is a change in our attitude towards everything. We must appreciate that they too have dreams like us. The book pleads for all this and even a separate ministry for this purpose.

People who are featured in this book are also interesting success stories. Sri Prasad with lower half of his body dysfunctional earns a Masters degree from Wisconsin and becomes a record-holder skydiver. Hardayeshwar confined to a wheel chair with incurable muscular dystrophy grows into a patent holder. Vinod on his crutches and with a prosthetic limb conquers mountain-peaks, participates in marathons and works in an event-management company. Hundred per cent visually impaired Suresh gets his Masters from IIM Calcutta and works in the Mahindra Group on a fat salary.

Similarly specially-abled Abraham is a producer of TV serials. Wheelchair bound Neeru designs wheel-chair friendly transport. Sukhsohit Singh has beaten thalassemia to become an IAS officer. Hearing impaired Murali works for the cause of education, marriage and rehabilitation of the disabled. Paralysis hasn’t stopped Rajinder from running a magazine and an NGO. Sheela with both arms amputated has established herself as an artist. She paints with her feet. Crippled with cerebral palsy, Jay is a well-known comedian.

The meaning of possible, fearlessness, hope, faith and self-confidence will stand altered after reading this book. The fighting spirit, courage, determination and optimism of the real-life heroes of this book are exemplary. This book is a must read, not only for the differently-abled, but also for those who really appreciate that life is really a wonderful gift.