World Disability Day 2019: My Brother’s Wheeeeelchair, a short story for kids

Wheeeeeeeeeeee!

Here’s me and my brother on his wheelchair.

Everyone who sees us,

Says we make a crazy pair.

Or even better, hear him read it to you! pic.twitter.com/9sx9u0r3Wl

— Pratham Books (@prathambooks) December 3, 2019

He has painted both the wheels,

In blues, yellows and maroons.

And sometimes, just for fun,

He also ties balloons.

Illustrated by Tanvi Bhat, source: Pratham Books

My brother’s very smart,

He’s got plenty of brains.

He helps me across puddles,

When it rains.

When we go to the park,

In the evening to play,

He uses a horn,

So people make way.

Illustrated by Tanvi Bhat, source: Pratham Books

Going to the market with him,

Is such a treat.

He has a rear-view mirror,

For when we’re on the street.

Sometimes he takes his chair

Into a shallow stream.

I give it a good splash.

Oh, how he does scream!

When baba and aai take us

To the hills for a hike,

He puts on special wheels —

Like a mountain bike!

All our friends wait,

For their turn to ride,

It feels so good,

With the arms out wide.

The Early Years: Not all kids with cerebral palsy or autism have intellectual disabilities

He goes so fast,

He is called the wheelchair champ.

And now all our friends know…

Their house must have a ramp!

(Published with permission from Pratham Books and storyweaver.org.in.)