Message from UN Secretary General
“This year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities reminds us that we need the leadership of persons with disabilities more than ever.
Persons with disabilities already disproportionately bear the brunt of the crises scarring our world — from conflicts and climate disasters, to poverty and inequalities — because of persistent discrimination, stigma, and barriers to basic rights and services.
On this important day, and every day, let’s work with persons with disabilities to achieve an inclusive and sustainable future for all people.” (UN Secretary General )
Disability is not a handicap. A great many, who have one disability or another, have successfully proved that they can achive great things. They don’t need our sympathy, but our acceptance and appreciation of their qualities.
India’s Sudha Chandran shines as a shining example of notable achievement in spite of many odds.
It is said of her, ‘She lost a foot but walked a mile’. And she danced her way into the hearts of people.
Due to an accident, she developed gangrene and had her leg amputated. But she never gave up. Bounced back as an accomplished dancer. She is an inspiration.
Australian Sam Cawthorn, due to an accident, had his elbow amputated. His heart had stopped for three and a half minutes and was pronounced dead. Today he plays guitar and is a musician, a motivational speaker and an author of books on motivation. He does charity work in developing g countries through his ‘Cawthorn Foundation’.
Ralph Braun was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. But he developed a motorised scooter at the age of twenty. He revolutionised the life of people with disabilities by devising and producing wheel chairs and vehicles that can be used by people with disabilities.
He became the CEO and founder of Braun Corporation. He was declared a “champion of change” in 2012 by the US government.
Arunima Sinha is the world’s first female and India’s first amputee to climb the Mount Everest.
On a train journey some miscreants harassed her and threw her out. 49 trains passed over her as she lay on the tracks.
She lost her leg. But Arunima decided to climb the Everest. Even after having been declared medically unfit for such a task, she stood her ground and did the impossible. She surprised the world with her achievement and telling the world: “Failure is not when we fall short of achieving our goals. It is when we don’t have goals worthy enough.”
Bravo!
Someone who lost both arms can swim across an ocean. We need to admire and appreciate them for their urge to live and succeed.
Students with disabilities should not be discriminated against by authorities or by co-students. Schools should have special facilities for such children.