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DEDICATION

 

When they started calling me hell on wheels, I was amazed at the empathy of the normal for those in wheelchairs: because, believe me, life in a wheelchair was all of that. HELL ON WHEELS.
Then, one day, Elsbeth, a Swissair Hostess, on a flight from the Philippines to India , spelled it out for me. She said I was Hell on Wheels because of my devil may care attitude, the ability to enjoy life to the full, and a wicked eye for the girls!
"Hmmmmmm" I thought. "That is true, isn't it!?" And my entire life came into focus with the logical extension of this insight: that I am essentially a product of the thoughts of others.
They thought, therefore I am... What a delicious idea - indeed, something of Divine proportions.
I am because you think. Beautiful!

 

DISABILITY, Disability, disability, empowerinfo, EMPOWERINFO, Empowerinfo, physically handicapped, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, Physically Handicapped, disable person, handicapped person

UNCLE SLIM, AUNT JO and MARGIE with Mary Jo's son (MARY JO and DR AYERS, her husband, photo below) my American Family: teaching me to build on my strengths with boundless caring

  DISABILITY, Disability, disability, empowerinfo, EMPOWERINFO, Empowerinfo, physically handicapped, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, Physically Handicapped, disable person, handicapped person

DISABILITY, Disability, disability, empowerinfo, EMPOWERINFO, Empowerinfo, physically handicapped, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, Physically Handicapped, disable person, handicapped person

 

AMAR: I was never heavy, I was his brother;
DISABILITY, Disability, disability, empowerinfo, EMPOWERINFO, Empowerinfo, physically handicapped, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, Physically Handicapped, disable person, handicapped person
Dad, the giant who taught me that I was a total person, with disability just an aspect, uncompromising in his expectations from me and the standards he set  and Mum who gives continuing support

I have been many things to many persons, and have always felt myself change according to the way they beheld me...
There were moments when the ugliness and the weakness within me were impossible to bear.
There were also times, albeit rare, when I felt radiant and sure of myself, far bigger than my meagre inches, with a confidence that could conquer the world... 
All those who shaped me and helped make me into the person I am today are vibrantly alive and well in my mind. This page is a simple way of saying thank you, and promising them that they will always remain so in my heart and mind, irrespective of the distances of time, space and even mortality that may separate them from me today...

 

DISABILITY, Disability, disability, empowerinfo, EMPOWERINFO, Empowerinfo, physically handicapped, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, Physically Handicapped, disable person, handicapped person

UNCLE PURI: he taught  love, style and joy in everything big and small; 

VIPIN and AMITA, brother-in-law and sister: he thought nothing  impossible for me, and together they stood for total understanding and support; 

DISABILITY, Disability, disability, empowerinfo, EMPOWERINFO, Empowerinfo, physically handicapped, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, Physically Handicapped, disable person, handicapped person

PRABHU, childhood friend and alter ego: he sees me as normal and makes me so, supports without condescension – and also Anjali and their sons Eki and Tunki...

DISABILITY, Disability, disability, empowerinfo, EMPOWERINFO, Empowerinfo, physically handicapped, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, Physically Handicapped, disable person, handicapped person

DR DAVE – Auntie – who has been a pillar of strength, inspiring and loving in every way, the relationship we share is timeless

DISABILITY, Disability, disability, empowerinfo, EMPOWERINFO, Empowerinfo, physically handicapped, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, Physically Handicapped, disable person, handicapped person

DISABILITY, Disability, disability, empowerinfo, EMPOWERINFO, Empowerinfo, physically handicapped, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, Physically Handicapped, disable person, handicapped person

UNCLE HITEN and AUNTIE ANJU BHAYA: they put me on my feet after decades in a wheelchair, and encourage me to pursue my wildest dreams... 

UNCLE ERIC REINBOTH, who taught me to stand up for my rights; 

MR G JAGATHPATHI (right): he gave me the ultimate in empowerment. He gave me a job...

DISABILITY, Disability, disability, empowerinfo, EMPOWERINFO, Empowerinfo, physically handicapped, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, Physically Handicapped, disable person, handicapped person

DISABILITY, Disability, disability, empowerinfo, EMPOWERINFO, Empowerinfo, physically handicapped, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, Physically Handicapped, disable person, handicapped person

Mr KR SANGAMESWARAN (extreme left), who hammered and shaped me into a Man of Steel with total support from Mr R KRISHNASWAMY (Top) and Mr TR VENKATESHAN (Bottom)

 

DISABILITY, Disability, disability, empowerinfo, EMPOWERINFO, Empowerinfo, physically handicapped, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, Physically Handicapped, disable person, handicapped person

MASHA, who gave me the ecstasy and the beauty of friendship and love...

DISABILITY, Disability, disability, empowerinfo, EMPOWERINFO, Empowerinfo, physically handicapped, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, Physically Handicapped, disable person, handicapped person

Anjan, Anil, Auntie Kailash, Sandhya (standing), Yogesh, Sovna: silent, solid, sustained sources of strength and support...

 

AUNTIE IRENE and UNCLE VIVIAN Anjan, Anil, Auntie Kailash, Sandhya (standing), Yogesh, Sovna: silent, solid, sustained sources of strength and support... BOSE (here with Dad and Mum in 1969) giving me independence and mobility even in a wheelchair

DISABILITY, Disability, disability, empowerinfo, EMPOWERINFO, Empowerinfo, physically handicapped, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, Physically Handicapped, disable person, handicapped person

DISABILITY, Disability, disability, empowerinfo, EMPOWERINFO, Empowerinfo, physically handicapped, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, Physically Handicapped, disable person, handicapped person

UNCLE CHHAYA, a constant support, providing security and cheer at times of stress

TANYA TSALLAGOVA whose love compelled a daily regime, putting strength into my legs and in my heart to actually walk again...

DISABILITY, Disability, disability, empowerinfo, EMPOWERINFO, Empowerinfo, physically handicapped, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, Physically Handicapped, disable person, handicapped person

DR KT DHOLAKIA, who is literally my Creator, reshaping my limbs, making me walk again with his skills as a Surgeon and a warm and wonderful human being...

MANI UNCLE AND MANOJ devising ways to make me independent

UNCLE SUKU AND AUNTIE ELA SEN: he taught me a love of reading and introduced me to the wonderful worlds of Jules Verne, and UNCLE AND AUNTIE MOHINDRA LAL who led me into their world of books...

 





MRS NC SHRIVASTAVA who ensured that disability should not keep me from an education...




NB AHUJA who designed my independence crutches

 

DR DC SEN AND GEETA AUNTIE who gave so much of their love and strength when we were alone...


MR MALAY MUKHERJEE one of my best friends and a colleague who always sought to raise me to his level

DISABILITY, Disability, disability, empowerinfo, EMPOWERINFO, Empowerinfo, physically handicapped, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, Physically Handicapped, disable person, handicapped person

THE GOVERDHANS Uncle Vasant, Auntie Margrit, Arvind, Anita, Monika … and then their families too …

MR PR AHUJA, MR SR JAIN, MR S SAMARAPUNGAVAN, MR NK MITRA. my mentors and teachers who gave total support and empowerment at work


Iris Ahr, brilliant young rehabilitator who is also a very dear friend, in a relationship that spans many incarnations! 

Uncle Pesi and Auntie Zarine Taraporevala, and Rustom, Ahrnavaz, Feroze – and Uncle Ranjit and Auntie Padma Tolani and Nita and Arun

CHRISTINE my pen friend and then my friend, and her husband JONATHAN who helped me cross another barrier by encouraging me to climb stairs on crutches! The best friends anyone could have...

DISABILITY, Disability, disability, empowerinfo, EMPOWERINFO, Empowerinfo, physically handicapped, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, Physically Handicapped, disable person, handicapped person

DISABILITY, Disability, disability, empowerinfo, EMPOWERINFO, Empowerinfo, physically handicapped, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, Physically Handicapped, disable person, handicapped person,

IMOGENE and FLORA KATE: my lovely nieces, daughters of Chris and Jon

DISABILITY, Disability, disability, empowerinfo, EMPOWERINFO, Empowerinfo, physically handicapped, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, Physically Handicapped, disable person, handicapped person

INEKE, here seen with Dad in Geneva , who also started as a pen friend and is, with her husband ADRIAN (right), among my best friends. They warm me with their friendship, not just with his jacket!

DISABILITY, Disability, disability, empowerinfo, EMPOWERINFO, Empowerinfo, physically handicapped, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, Physically Handicapped, disable person, handicapped person

AMRIT PRAKASH SINGH, ARUN PRABHU and GAUTAM BHATTACHARJEE, and the brothers JOSHI, RAJEEV & RANJAN, relationships that started in school and continue to sustain...

DISABILITY, Disability, disability, empowerinfo, EMPOWERINFO, Empowerinfo, physically handicapped, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, Physically Handicapped, disable person, handicapped person

AKANKSHA, bridging the gap between yesterday and tomorrow – between ability and dis – friend and often guide … with Mum here

BHILAI STEEL PLANT the persona that fills every fibre of my being and gave me everything I am today or hope to be tomorrow

DISABILITY, Disability, disability, empowerinfo, EMPOWERINFO, Empowerinfo, physically handicapped, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, Physically Handicapped, disable person, handicapped person

NUMEROUS FRIENDS FROM THE SOVIET UNION who included me in all activities, giving me professional respect and making me forget my disability in an exuberance of living

There are many others, whose photographs I could not find and whose names are not mentioned here, but whose thoughts and deeds helped shape me, create me, and their faces and their personas are as clear today as they were during the glory years in the sun... I love them all, and whatever the future holds, I shall always bless them and theirs:

Disability actually made me more open than I may otherwise have been to all the waves of goodwill and great deeds that came my way and continue, smoothening my life.

But for all these great and glorious, warm and wonderful people, disability may well have become a burden impossible to bear.

Thank YOU all, always...