High Spirits

For anyone,a physical disability is a major setback and the going can be very tough in life.

For anyone,a physical disability is a major setback and the going can be very tough in life. And with the odds stacked against you,its easy to wallow in self pity and take on a negative approach to life. But proving that it doesnt always have be that way are these men on the move who have set an example for others to follow.

Follow your heart : For Kamaldeep Thukral,a 30-year-old pharmacist who works at the General Hospital in Sector 6,Panchkula there were no two ways about taking life head on. Going out with friends,driving on the geri route,working out in the gym,Kamaldeep didnt let his disability (hes polio affected) get in the way of having fun. It is not easy but not tough either as I have learnt to live life with my handicap. I have always loved working out in the gym like all my other friends, Kamaldeep,who is a resident of Manimajra,smiles to say. Instead of feeling sorry for himself,Thukral feels his handicap has made him emerge stronger. Its brought me closer to God and stronger at heart than any other person my age, shares the happily-married Thukral who gives credit to the immense support of his family. Not one to lie low,hes now working towards opening a physiotherapy centre of his own.

Fight the odds : He was all of two years when polio crippled both his legs. But making sure he never missed out on school was KC Wadhawans 75-year-old grandfather. He would carry me on his back to school, reminisces the director of the National Institute for Disabled in Panchkula. Making sure he did his family proud,Wadhawan worked hard at achieving his goals. It would be wrong to say that we are handicapped and others are normal. Instead,I feel that every human being is suffering from one or the other handicap and what is important is to fight out and succeed, opines Wadhawan who never let his disability pose as a stumbling block. And his achievements are enough to prove that. While in college he was the president of the Haryana Students Federation,hes also bagged the prestigious Sahitya Akademi award for his book and is now authoring two more.

Face The world : A physical handicap can be demoralising but thats not how Ram Pal Singh,Deputy Superintendent,Haryana Power Utilities sees it. Singh walks with his head held high and as he puts it,I have never hesitated to attend social gatherings. It was at the age of three when I came to know about my problem. Though I was a little dejected initially but the love and affection of my family and colleagues helped me in facing the world. A go-getter at the work front,Singh says hes achieved all that he would have done even if he was normal. Today,if you fall,few will pick you up and therefore you have to strive hard and make efforts from within, he spells out his mantra. Now,thats the spirit!

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