Recently, a news report said that a differently abled person complained of being embarrassed by airport authorities when she was forced to take off her prosthetic leg and pass it through the luggage scanner along with other passengers’ baggage. She claimed that the incident “brought her to tears”. This sparked off a debate whether Indian society and infrastructure provides a conducive environment for the differently-abled.
While my issue is less with the individual, who felt offended or awkward (though personally i dont see a reason, but than each to his/her own). My Major problem is with Media, who make hue and cry, by loathing around make victimhood environment steamed in negativity with hollow sympathy for differently abled.
In this context, I spoke with OpIndia.com, and here is my interview
Q. How difficult has it been for you, being a differently-abled person?
Jaymin: Well, being differently abled since birth actually worked in my favour. Many times after lateral accidents or mishaps one has to unlearn so much and relearn to adapt and adjust, in that scenario, you can say, from birth I was given my scope area which I had to adjust and expertise to deliver.
Q. So how was your childhood and even otherwise, did you face any embarrassing or uncomfortable moment?
I would say, everyone would have faced embarrassing or rude behavior in one’s life, similarly I too have faced, when I required genuine help but was turned down or kind of mocked at. However, the positive and compassionate support is so huge since my childhood from my parents to friends to acquaintances and most strangers, these embarrassing moments don’t matter. All because of motivation, especially from my mother and then in school from my principal and then from all friends from very early stage, never made me feel awkward to request help. From cabbies to policemen to even stray strangers, have always been supportive and provided support, whenever I needed, without trampling my dignity.
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