Chronicle of courage

Shakti Foundation's "Project Ramp'' has freed many physically challenged persons from the agony of confinement. T. KRITHIKAREDDY traces its activities on the occasion of World Disabled Day.

IT'S ALL about the triumph of the spirit. As 22-year old Vinay made it to the swank shops at Spencer's Plaza on a wheelchair, it was obvious that his life was no longer filled with crippled images. He merged with the mainstream with ease, and there wasn't even a trace of self-pity. Restricted to the wheelchair for over seven years, the effervescent youngster has been able to circumvent his loss and move on. "I love shopping, going to cinemas, visiting people and travelling. I don't think my disability is a dampener. Mobility is pretty easy with ramps being built at several public places," he says with an air of non-chalance.

Yes...to Vinay and the scores of physically challenged persons, the Shakti Foundation's "Project Ramp" has freed them from the agony of confinement. And can there be a better occasion to recap the organisation's activities than World Disabled Day?

"Because of a life, a movement was started and at the cost of a life, a movement was accelerated," says Vasanth Raghuvir, tracing a chronicle of courage. Had it not been for her teenaged son Velan, "Shakti" would have remained just a fitness centre that Vasanth runs at Kilpauk. Tragedy struck in 1989, when her son suddenly stopped walking because of Duchene Muscular Dystrophy.

Vivacious by nature, Velan loved outings. But stirring out of home became a nightmare. Be it to the college or to any entertainment centre, mobility was arduous because none of these places were disabled-friendly. The redemptive outcome of the pain at the plight of Velan's ilk was Shakti Foundation. Since its inception in 1992 with the mission statement of "Heal the world", the Foundation has been crusading the cause of the disabled, trying hard to integrate them into the social mainstream.

And how have the Chennaiites responded to this endeavour? "Oh.. the response has been extremely encouraging. More and more commercial complexes are welcoming the idea of constructing ramps and allotting separate slots for parking. And as far as the government departments are concerned, we have not faced any procedural wrangle. They are so eager to help. Mr. M. Balachandran, Additional Commissioner of Police, for instance, sanctioned 32 parking zones for the handicapped in the city. A sticker with Shakti's wheelchair logo can be availed of at the Foundation for those wishing to park in these spaces. Mr.G.Raghuraman and Mr. Vaidyalingam of the Southern Railways have implemented a ramp and an exclusive parking slot at the Central Station. There is also a special booth where the disabled can avail of wheelchairs and the services of friendly personnel. The Chennai Corporation has sanctioned ramps in all its 10 zonal offices. The Metropolitan Transport Department has redesigned two buses on a trial basis. These buses are specially designed to meet the needs of the handicapped - wider doors and smaller steps. On the education front too, there is better awareness now. The D.G. Vaishnav College will soon have a ramp at the entrance to its main building. Lifts will also be available at various departments.

As far as the commercial complexes are concerned, thanks to the efforts of Mr. Balasubramanium of Mangal Tirth Estate Ltd, who was instrumental in implementing Shakti's Project Ramp at Spencer's, more commercial complexes have now followed suit."

Besides Project Ramp, the Foundation is also involved in social welfare schemes for the Adi Parasakthi Medical and Research Hospital at Melmaruvathur, 92 km from the city. As for the resources, Vasanth explains that it is a virtual struggle. "Annual fund raising cultural programmes involving volunteers, housewives and children, go a long way in mopping up money. Otherwise, we look forward to some support from philanthropists. Sometime, we even resort to door-to-door canvassing."

"But somehow, we will continue our efforts relentlessly. Even though the Government has enacted the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act of 1995, many provisions of the Act have not been made mandatory. The Foundation hopes to make them effective through awareness programmes. An effort in this direction is the screening of a short film made by ace ad film maker Rajiv Menon. The film featuring Anil Kumble has a hard-hitting message and will be screened at educational institutions in the city. The film was screened yesterday at Spencer's, as part of the World Disablilty Day celebrations.

Annoyed by the hype that goes with Valentine's Day or Friendship Day, Vasanth muses that it is unfortunate that most youngsters don't show the same level of enthusiasm in observing Disability Day. "Western concepts get good response here, but why this apathy for humanitarian causes" she asks.

"I believe life is short, so play/work hard", Velan had signed an autograph for a school friend. And yes...despite problems that impeded his recovery from a completely unforeseen fatal illness, there was not a "hint of cynicism or pessimism". He had come to terms with his tragedy and tried to convert a hopeless situation into a hopeful one with Shakti Foundation till the end came in 1999. In a poignant mood, Vasanth recalls that his life has taught her many lessons. "Living with a wheel-chair-ridden child changed my perspective of life... it made me a different person."

And for this post graduate psychologist from Calcutta, who came here after her marriage to an established Chennai-based lawyer, the psychologial turmoil of losing her only child in his prime is still fresh. "But what to do? He was so courageous and full of hope till the end. Just look at this photo, see how chirpy he is despite living on a liquid diet for over six months," she says, flipping through mounds of albums. And yes, people like Velan not only enrich their lives without any bitterness about their fate, they continue to inspire us too. Such stories of pain endured and obstacles overcome, small satisfaction and great ideals, leave us with a sense of pride about humanity. Don't they?

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