Disability, Inclusion, and Dignity: Reflections for #WorldDisabilityDay
Posted by
Dr. Preeti Chauhan
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What Formed My Views on Disability
At the age of six, my idea of the world changed in ways I hadn’t expected during a visit to my grandmother’s village.Till that day our native village had been a place of simple joys and vibrant community life, but my attention was captured by a young girl, just a few years older than me, who moved in a way I had never seen before. She walked on all fours, her spindly legs trailing behind her. I watched, curious and puzzled, until I finally asked why she was crawling. The answer changed my perspective forever: she had survived polio, which had left her disabled. In the words of those around me, she was a“cripple.”
A girl called Shanno
Her name was “Shanno” and despite her condition, the girl was vivacious.She had sparkling eyes and was beautiful. Her smile was contagious and she possessed a playful spirit. Yet, her life was marked by barriers I could not fully comprehend at the time. Her family,uneducated, poor and struggling, didn’t believe in the value of education for her. “What’s the point?” they would say. “The school is too far away for her to crawl.As if education could help her secure a better future!”
In those days rural women did not go out to work nor was it encouraged.
In fact for Shanno, even the premise of marriage was out of question.
I went back to my city life but the haunting image of Shanno waddling on all fours in a torn knicker stayed with me.The huge differences in our quality of life nagged at my little conscience.
It tormented me that while I went to school every morning, she remained at home, crawling along the dirt paths of the village.While I went out to carve my destiny she was condemned to live a life void of opportunity, dignity and purpose.
As I grew older, I continued to visit my grandmother’s village and saw this girl transform into a lovely teenager. At 16 years of age, she still moved on all fours, her clothes often torn at the knees from the constant crawling along the rough roads. The stark contrast between our lives was impossible to ignore. I had access to education, comfortable clothes, and dreams for the future, while she seemed trapped in a cycle of poverty and isolation.
Her life—and the lives of others like her—became a constant point of reflection for me. I would often wonder: How could two lives be so drastically different, simply because of health and circumstance? Why should someone’s potential and dignity be defined by an illness or condition that was beyond their control?
A Formative Lesson in Inequality
The image of that girl crawling in the village stayed with me long after those visits. Her life was a constant reminder of the inequality that exists in our world. I began to understand that disability was not just a personal tragedy but a societal failure. It wasn’t simply about the physical challenges she faced; it was about the lack of opportunities and the deep-rooted stigma that condemned her to a life of dependency.
In our society, disability often strips people of their humanity in the eyes of others. They become invisible, their potential dismissed, and their existence pitied. It troubled me deeply that while I was given the tools to thrive—an education, social acceptance, and the freedom to dream—she was denied even the most basic of these opportunities.
The Larger Picture
As I matured, I realized that her story was not unique. Around the world, millions of people with disabilities face similar struggles. Many are deprived of education, meaningful employment, and social inclusion. They are viewed as burdens rather than contributors, often left to survive on the fringes of society.
This realization sparked a desire in me to understand the systemic barriers that people with disabilities face and, more importantly, to work towards dismantling them. Disability is not a reflection of a person’s worth or capability. It is society’s failure to accommodate and include that creates the real limitations.
Changing Narratives, Changing Lives
Shanno taught me that dignity, respect, and opportunity should be the birthright of every individual, regardless of their physical or mental condition. Her life, and the stark comparison to my own, became a driving force in shaping my views on disability and inequality.
Society’s attitudes toward disability must change. Instead of pity or dismissal, we need empathy and action. Accessible education, inclusive workplaces, and supportive communities can transform lives. But it starts with recognizing the inherent value of every individual and rejecting the idea that a disability diminishes a person’s potential.
We all have a role to play in building an inclusive world. Whether it’s advocating for policy changes, creating accessible environments, or simply changing the way we perceive and interact with people with disabilities, every action counts. The journey toward inclusion begins with empathy and understanding, but it requires commitment and collective effort.
The girl I met in my childhood village is a constant reminder of what we stand to lose when we ignore the potential of people with disabilities.Shanno could have become a pioneering scientist or a great writer had she access to developing her potential.She also reminds me of the transformative power of opportunity and inclusion. Today, I carry her story with me, and it fuels my determination to contribute to a more equitable and compassionate world.
Inclusion isn’t just an ideal; it’s a necessity. And it starts with recognizing that everyone, regardless of ability, deserves the chance to live a life of dignity, purpose, and fulfillment.
Very well said! I have personally observed the dismissive apathy towards people with disabilities more from the people in the administration with questions like “why is this person even here?”. It’s high time the system took cognizance and focussed on education and mindset shift than just a reservation seat.
Yes Ruchira, the society needs to accept and include more and I am not even talking about reservation, but allowing them opportunities and access to be able to live to their potential and with dignity.
Your storytelling skills had hooked me till the very end. The way you described Shanno and her polio survival story, I so wanted to hug the girl and tell her she is fabulous. Noticing such individuals and talking about them highly only talks of your generosity. Happy to have known you.
Inclusion isn’t just an ideal; it’s a necessity – this is so true. We love to cry that it is difficult to have an inclusive society but until we see merit in changing things, we will stay stuck in our resistance to change.
In my classroom I teach children with special needs.a few of them are really talented and hold great potential….I try to support and encourage as much as I can and include them in all activities possible
Disability can be a curse. We must empower disabled people so that they can lead a life of dignity. In this regard, I would recommend reading life of Shrikanth Bolla, who was born blind but went to MIT, and set up a factory with turnover of 500 crore rupees. When given a Businessman of the Year award in special category, Shrikanth Bolla refused to accept. He said he would work harder to be selected in regular category. As a society we must stand by disabled people and help them make their own decision. Who knows many more Shrikanth Bolla will emerge.
Thanks to the movie Shrikanth we all now about the fight that Shrikanth Bolla won for not just himself but a whole social strata of society. Thank you for your words of advice and encouragement Abhijit.
This is a deeply moving and thought-provoking piece. Shanno’s story is a powerful reminder of the systemic barriers people with disabilities face and the urgent need for inclusion and empathy.
Dear Preeti, my eyes are full of tears when I was reading every line of your post. I was feeling every pain of Shanno and I feel like blasting on the then society why was the goverment that time so indifferent towords poor…. how how how. Time changed now and polio is no more remained as a curse on society. There are multiple disibility cases I know and observed in my life. My next door boy at my parents place is a special child and the one residing at the backside house of our house is having dissability at lower part…. thankfully he the second one was blessed with lovely parents and now an IIM graduate and working with top MNC at Bangalore and happily married now. All that is required is an oppurtunity which he got and many dont. So its time now we preach positivity and make those people feel you are not alone and and you are not different… you are just like us and can dream and grow to taste success like each one of us.
Rightly said Preeti, Inclusion is a necessity and if people with disabilities are suffering, it is the failure of the society. Shanno’s story is touching, but we have come across thousands of them; what have we done to bring in more dignity into their lives? This is the question we must ask ourselves each day.
[…] Dr. Preeti shares how meeting Shanno, a girl with polio, deeply shaped her views on disability and inequality. Shanno’s vibrant spirit, despite societal barriers, highlighted the need for inclusion and equal opportunity, inspiring Dr. Preeti’s commitment to advocating for dignity and respect for all. Read her post here. […]
It depends on what kind of a family the disabled is born to. Shanno would have scaled peaks of success, had she been in a better economic background. So, ultimately, what you say is the point: inclusive society, a caring sociopolitical system.
Quite true, people with means and education today are able to provide more opportunities to their children.Let us make it accessible to those who do not have the means to do so.
In 2018, I started working on books on CSR and this truth began to hit me again and again. It’s not an equal world and it’s been made smaller by our narrow minds. We avoid hardships and those who live like that. So, writing is my way of communicating this truth-why are we running away from working hard towards bettering lives. “It is society’s failure to accommodate and include that creates the real limitations,” these words kind of sum up the thoughts.
What happened to Shanno, Preeti? Great post which made me reflect on my physical and social privileges and feel blessed about have such a cushioned life. Loved these lines, “It starts with recognizing the inherent value of every individual and rejecting the idea that a disability diminishes a person’s potential.
This story is so powerful and thought-provoking. Shanno’s life serves as a poignant reminder of how critical inclusion and equal opportunities are. We all have a part to play in creating a world where everyone’s potential is valued.
Inclusion is what will rid our society of the wretchedness of discrimination. It is such a poignant tale, and it is even more inspiring to read how Shanno taught you to become YOU!
This story of Shanno is so heart-touching and thought-provoking. It’s a reminder of how much potential goes unnoticed due to societal barriers. Thank you for sharing this powerful reflection, it truly inspires action towards a more inclusive world.
Inclusion should start being implemented rather than just in words for the world to change. I’m glad that Shanno was the reason behind your post and we got to know her through you, understand how disability can hinder life progresses if not in an inclusive environment
Thank you for sharing Shanno’s story with us. It’s imperative that each one of us should work our minds and hearts towards inclusivity and play a role in creating a world that is safe for everyone.
It is comforting to learn the increased inclusivity of disability and using of terms like “challenged”. To introduce kids to disability, even Barbie and lego has started creating “challenged” characters..baby steps.
This is such a crucial topic that needs attention. Inclusion and equality in all aspects. I have noticed that even physical spaces do not have basic infrastructure to allow people with any degree of disability to move freely.
Shanno’s story is one that is older than history, and yet, so timely. It helped me regain my sense of clarity about inclusion and helped place responsibility in the right corner of my mind, where it can see the larger picture, as well as the particular one.
Yes, Nupur , I was 6 years old and Shanoo left an everlasting impression on my psyche.It was the first time I actually thought of the disparity in our lives and I wished for her to have the same opportunities to blossom and be something that I had.
This is such a touching story and I applaud you for sharing Shanoo’s story. We might not understand why some people don’t get the same opportunities to live as others but there’s one thing we all could do. Make sure to use whatever skills and talents we’re blessed with as a way to thank for giving us those opportunities.
Your post deeply moved me. The story of Shanno is a powerful reminder of how inequality can shape lives, and it really opened my eyes to the barriers people with disabilities face. I was struck by your call for empathy, inclusion, and opportunity for all. The contrast between your experiences and Shanno’s highlights the importance of dismantling societal stigmas. It truly inspires me to advocate for a more inclusive world where everyone can thrive.
Thanks for sharing Shanno’s story with us. This is true. We deprive persons with disabilities of dignity, respect and a chance to prove their potential or achieve their dreams. Disability is not what prevents them from living and thriving, it’s the environment and community around them that is disabling and only create barriers.
Disability is generally seems to be a crush in a poor and uneducated family. Disability become a barrier to development in such kind of environment. May be Shanno’s story tries to tell that her environment is her barrier to development rather than her disability.
Reading about Shanno’s story brought back so many memories of experiences that shaped my own views on disability. Like you, I’ve encountered people whose potential was overshadowed by societal ignorance and neglect. Growing up, I met individuals whose abilities were dismissed simply because of physical limitations, yet they had so much to offer the world. The stark contrast between the opportunities I had and the barriers they faced always troubled me. It’s clear that disability isn’t a reflection of one’s worth, but rather a systemic failure to include and accommodate.
Inclusion should start being implemented rather than just in words for the world to change. I’m glad that Shanno was the reason behind your post and we got to know her through you, understand how disability can hinder life progresses if not in an inclusive environment
Thank you for sharing such a deeply personal and impactful reflection, Dr. Preeti. Shanno’s story is a poignant reminder of the inequalities that persist and the strength of the human spirit. Your words inspire us to challenge societal perceptions and work towards creating a world where dignity, respect, and opportunity are a reality for everyone, regardless of their abilities.
Thank you Preeti for sharing such an evocative post. Shanno came to life in front of my eyes. My own son can’t stand or walk and basically just pulls his body forward with his hands. I am at least able to hire support and equipment for him, but often think about all the others who can’t afford and the govt or society have nothing to give them.
Two of my relatives (my uncle and my husband’s aunt) suffered from polio and were crippled in different ways. Yet, because they belonged to the upper echelons of society, they were not deprived of education or inclusion in society. Just goes to show that disability too suffers from class discrimination. Such a sad state of affairs.
There is a long-standing debate about the need for accessibility and inclusion in our built environment. It not only makes life easier for those who absolutely need it, but it also serves as a genuine social equalizer. By designing spaces that are accessible and inclusive, we can promote social interaction, independence, and equality for all individuals, regardless of their abilities. This, in turn, fosters a more compassionate and inclusive society, where everyone has the opportunity to participate and thrive.
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