Comments on: The Show Must Go On (Wheels within Wheels) http://waternoice.com/2007/07/15/the-show-must-go-on-wheels-within-wheels/ Online magazine for Indian Americans in the Bay Area Thu, 17 May 2012 21:14:26 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Shefaly http://waternoice.com/2007/07/15/the-show-must-go-on-wheels-within-wheels/comment-page-1/#comment-87 Shefaly Thu, 02 Aug 2007 10:22:48 +0000 http://waternoice.us/2007/07/15/the-show-must-go-on-wheels-within-wheels/#comment-87 Very interesting. From what I read, Salil, you have been fortunate to benefit from a very supportive ecosystem where self-reliance and self-confidence as well as active role in life were possible. I am going to cross-post this link on a post I wrote on the Indian Economy blog. The title was 'Does Disabled have to mean Invisible?', and you can read it on: http://indianeconomy.org/2007/07/31/502/ If you follow the responses and the empty argumentation that misses the point of the post altogether, you will see a very different side to this debate. What do you think? Very interesting. From what I read, Salil, you have been fortunate to benefit from a very supportive ecosystem where self-reliance and self-confidence as well as active role in life were possible.

I am going to cross-post this link on a post I wrote on the Indian Economy blog. The title was ‘Does Disabled have to mean Invisible?’, and you can read it on:
http://indianeconomy.org/2007/07/31/502/

If you follow the responses and the empty argumentation that misses the point of the post altogether, you will see a very different side to this debate.

What do you think?

]]> By: Salil chaturvedi http://waternoice.com/2007/07/15/the-show-must-go-on-wheels-within-wheels/comment-page-1/#comment-69 Salil chaturvedi Fri, 20 Jul 2007 23:06:20 +0000 http://waternoice.us/2007/07/15/the-show-must-go-on-wheels-within-wheels/#comment-69 Dear Rajni, I tried figuring out your email id so I could have a conversation with you directly on the issues you mention. I couldn't from this site, so I am responding to your comment, since it was addressed to me. having been involved with the disabiity sector for over two decades, and having worked with organisations that are shaping the nation's thought on disability issues (including being asked for views by the Planning Commission) I agree that there are many steps that need to be taken by a variety of players - activists, NGOs, governments, disabled people, their families, educators, legislators, etc. I had delivered a lecture to a batch of IAS students at the IAS academy in Mussorrie on how they need to think of disability when they discharge their duties. Basically, changing their imaginings about disability, if you will. The fact that disabled persons are now studying at the academy has come about after fighting tooth and nail with the government about it. I have seen (and played a humble part) India's disability movement change from a charity-based one to a rights-based one where disabled persons and their families are aware of their rights and demand them. A PIL submitted by me in the Supreme Court of India comes up for a judgement in September (hopefully) that should bring about change in the lives of disabled persons in India, estimated at 6-10% of the population. Will keep you posted about it. I am a little embarrassed to put out such a long response on this forum. You could mail me directly on my email id: sal_chat@yahoo.com. I'll be happy to share my views on subjects that you mention. Dear Rajni,

I tried figuring out your email id so I could have a conversation with you directly on the issues you mention. I couldn’t from this site, so I am responding to your comment, since it was addressed to me. having been involved with the disabiity sector for over two decades, and having worked with organisations that are shaping the nation’s thought on disability issues (including being asked for views by the Planning Commission) I agree that there are many steps that need to be taken by a variety of players – activists, NGOs, governments, disabled people, their families, educators, legislators, etc. I had delivered a lecture to a batch of IAS students at the IAS academy in Mussorrie on how they need to think of disability when they discharge their duties. Basically, changing their imaginings about disability, if you will. The fact that disabled persons are now studying at the academy has come about after fighting tooth and nail with the government about it. I have seen (and played a humble part) India’s disability movement change from a charity-based one to a rights-based one where disabled persons and their families are aware of their rights and demand them. A PIL submitted by me in the Supreme Court of India comes up for a judgement in September (hopefully) that should bring about change in the lives of disabled persons in India, estimated at 6-10% of the population. Will keep you posted about it.

I am a little embarrassed to put out such a long response on this forum. You could mail me directly on my email id: sal_chat@yahoo.com. I’ll be happy to share my views on subjects that you mention.

]]> By: Rajni http://waternoice.com/2007/07/15/the-show-must-go-on-wheels-within-wheels/comment-page-1/#comment-68 Rajni Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:38:25 +0000 http://waternoice.us/2007/07/15/the-show-must-go-on-wheels-within-wheels/#comment-68 Interesting “imagine yourself affects others’ imaginings of you”. Any thoughts on, it’s the society ‘s (i.e. friends and family) imaginings of a child with developmental disability that affects the self-confidence and hence the potential of a child, actually even the family? Please don’t misunderstand me. Kudos to you and everyone who does not let disability come in their way. Tenacity and positive attitude are an important ingredient of the solution but not the solution. IMHO larger community too needs to do its part – provide the infrastructure and education, at least, so that a person with disability can have a quality of life, irrespective of their socio-economic status. Here is food for thought Salil - middle school geography, history or physics curricula in simple language for individuals with developmental disabilty? Interesting “imagine yourself affects others’ imaginings of you”. Any thoughts on, it’s the society ‘s (i.e. friends and family) imaginings of a child with developmental disability that affects the self-confidence and hence the potential of a child, actually even the family?

Please don’t misunderstand me. Kudos to you and everyone who does not let disability come in their way. Tenacity and positive attitude are an important ingredient of the solution but not the solution. IMHO larger community too needs to do its part – provide the infrastructure and education, at least, so that a person with disability can have a quality of life, irrespective of their socio-economic status.
Here is food for thought Salil – middle school geography, history or physics curricula in simple language for individuals with developmental disabilty?

]]> By: Brinda Shah http://waternoice.com/2007/07/15/the-show-must-go-on-wheels-within-wheels/comment-page-1/#comment-66 Brinda Shah Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:22:08 +0000 http://waternoice.us/2007/07/15/the-show-must-go-on-wheels-within-wheels/#comment-66 According to me a person is never physically disabled.. Disability of a person is in the mind.. What is there in u shall be shown in ur behavior.. Life is a mirror it reflects whatever u do.. So do what u want to show.. According to me a person is never physically disabled.. Disability of a person is in the mind.. What is there in u shall be shown in ur behavior.. Life is a mirror it reflects whatever u do.. So do what u want to show..

]]> By: meena http://waternoice.com/2007/07/15/the-show-must-go-on-wheels-within-wheels/comment-page-1/#comment-64 meena Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:26:16 +0000 http://waternoice.us/2007/07/15/the-show-must-go-on-wheels-within-wheels/#comment-64 Salil, You make a very important point - It is only when you think you are disabled that you become truly disabled. There is a lesson in it for every one of us. Most of us are "disabled" in certain ways, even if the "disability" might not be obvious. Kudos to you for your positive attitude. I am sure you are an inspiration to all whose lives you touch. Thanks for sharing your experience. Meena Salil,
You make a very important point – It is only when you think you are disabled that you become truly disabled. There is a lesson in it for every one of us. Most of us are “disabled” in certain ways, even if the “disability” might not be obvious. Kudos to you for your positive attitude. I am sure you are an inspiration to all whose lives you touch.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Meena

]]> By: Parvinder http://waternoice.com/2007/07/15/the-show-must-go-on-wheels-within-wheels/comment-page-1/#comment-63 Parvinder Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:24:49 +0000 http://waternoice.us/2007/07/15/the-show-must-go-on-wheels-within-wheels/#comment-63 None of this comes as a surprise! I know this man and know for a fact that the view from a wheelchair is not all that defines him...there is more to it...one of them being that for him life is not a template...new spaces and meaning have to be discovered each day. None of this comes as a surprise! I know this man and know for a fact that the view from a wheelchair is not all that defines him…there is more to it…one of them being that for him life is not a template…new spaces and meaning have to be discovered each day.

]]> By: Salil Chaturvedi http://waternoice.com/2007/07/15/the-show-must-go-on-wheels-within-wheels/comment-page-1/#comment-62 Salil Chaturvedi Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:23:50 +0000 http://waternoice.us/2007/07/15/the-show-must-go-on-wheels-within-wheels/#comment-62 Thanks Rajni, I am fortunate indeed. I do believe that how you imagine yourself affects others' imaginings of you. Yes, I'm still in India. Sounds like the title of a novel - Still in India. I have a small firm that works with various grassroots organisations. Currently we are focusing our energies on interactive educational material for children. Thanks Rajni,
I am fortunate indeed. I do believe that how you imagine yourself affects others’ imaginings of you. Yes, I’m still in India. Sounds like the title of a novel – Still in India. I have a small firm that works with various grassroots organisations. Currently we are focusing our energies on interactive educational material for children.

]]> By: Rajni http://waternoice.com/2007/07/15/the-show-must-go-on-wheels-within-wheels/comment-page-1/#comment-61 Rajni Tue, 17 Jul 2007 00:29:38 +0000 http://waternoice.us/2007/07/15/the-show-must-go-on-wheels-within-wheels/#comment-61 All it takes is for few people to believe in who you are rather than defining you by your disability. You are very fortunate to be surrounded by friends and family who know you. Of course, your tenacity shines through too! Thank you for sharing your story. I wonder are you still living in India? All it takes is for few people to believe in who you are rather than defining you by your disability. You are very fortunate to be surrounded by friends and family who know you. Of course, your tenacity shines through too!

Thank you for sharing your story. I wonder are you still living in India?

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