The Uniqueness in Me

Hello folks, I think this apology has been long overdue. I'm sorry I couldn't be the ideal person with disability. I spoke fluently when I was expected to have difficulty speaking. I understood everything when I was expected to be disoriented and confused. I took up a job when I was expected to stay home and stare at the walls. I can't help but feel a sense of satisfaction in disappointing people though. When the cab driver assumes that I have to go a hospital and I take him to one of the Big Fours, I can't help but smile at his lack of awareness. Realising that I'm not an object of his pity makes me super happy. But I am sorry for the driver who's left wondering about my condition, work, and my salary. People often told me that I'll fail exams with or without scribes because of Cerebral Palsy. I disappointed them with a Gold Medal. Others told me that only freelancing jobs are suitable for me and I should stop looking for full-time roles but I let them down...

 International day for persons with disabilities just went by and I'm here to share an important thought. Last night, it occurred to me that I'm quick to complain about the limitation my disability brings with it. However, there are a number of positive things that would not be part of my life if not for my disability. I want to shift my focus to these gifts of disability. Informal Learning To start with, I didn't go to school until I was eight years old. In these years, I learnt rhymes, songs, and played like all kids but I didn't have to wake up early in the morning and sit in class like my peers. I learnt everything I needed to from my twin. I enjoyed every bit of the informal learning. Special Treatment  As a student, I could never imagine that people in the professional world would make exceptions for me. Some employers offered me  the choice to work in a shift that suits me while others gave me the work from home opportunity.  Now, isn't that special treatment...

 Hi there, What's new with you this 3rd of December? I'm trying to be more than just a content writer as I create awareness around disabilities. Recently I've started creating and posting videos about living with Cerebral Palsy and dealing with a disability in general.  I've always been shy in front of an audience on a stage or in front of a camera. However, when I am alone, I talk in front of my camera while looking and sounding decent. When I decided to make my first video, I had asked my friend to put together a series of my pictures with my voice over. This seemed easier since I only had to record my voice and avoid speaking to the camera. By the next time, however, I realised that asking my friend for help is easy but it increases my dependence on people, defeating my purpose of being independent and encouraging others like me to do the same. So I put aside all my doubts, fears and insecurities, gathered all the courage I have, and recorded a message of inclusion...

 "Why does she need to wear a saree?" "Why don't you have Parikshit check your leave balance before you apply?" "Why don't you have your mum oversee that transaction while you make it?" "Let me ask your mum if I should feed you two chapatis or one." I'm used to these kinds of questions and statements being thrown at me all the time. I knew something was off, but it was not until last year that I realized it is called infantilization. What's infantilization? For those who are reading this word for the first time, infantilization is a form of ableism where differently-abled adults are treated as children. We are treated as something less than who we are. In doing this, the able people often make decisions for their disabled counterparts believing that they are incapable of deciding what's best for them. On the occasion of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, I thought it would be nice to discuss this phenomenon w...

 This international day of persons with disabilities, i didn't have to work hard to think of a topic. I came across an article that spoke of the etiquette of interacting with someone who has a disability. The idea excited me so much because I didn't know a lot despite living with a disability all my life. The article took me through situations I was familiar with and suprised me with things I must expect when I meet people. I believe these tiny changes in behaviour can have a positive impact on a disabled person's self respect, self image and confidence. The first is an eye contact and direct address. A lot of times, I've observed how people make their assumptions obvious. I've had visitors who'd see me and ask my mother (in front of me) if i could talk. It comes across as rude even if you don't intend it. The least you can do is make eye contact, smile and say hello. If the individual is struggling to respond then you can turn to the attender/family member....

I'm here today to share a few thoughts about inclusion. It all started with a conversation I had at a party. My friend was very impressed with all my achievements despite Cerebral Palsy. I thanked him and said that none of this would be possible without an extremely supportive family and super-inclusive educators and employers. I've had people who built ramps for me, allowed me to work half a day, work in a fixed day shift and even work from the comfort of my home. As I said this, I was thinking out loud about others like me who are not lucky enough to meet inclusive educators and employers.  Do they all have to lose out on education and employment opportunities just because of their disability? My friend said "It is not that easy. A school, college or an organisation will not create facilities without having people who need them." That's a fair argument. After all, why will any business create a product for which there's no demand?  It makes no sense from a b...