PatientsEngage General Community

Mobility and accessibility aids can help people maintain independence in the activities that are most important to them. We spoke to a few people with different disabilities about the aids that empower them  Preethi Srinivasan, Founder Soulfree, quadriplegic due to a Spinal Cord Injury (pic above) Perhaps the two important things I use that give me full freedom are my speech activated software (Dragon Naturally Speaking) that allows me to use the computer with complete independence.…

As part of International Day of Persons with Disabilty, we spoke to mothers of children with Cerebral Palsy, Down's Syndrome and Asperger's Syndrome in terms of what they wish for their child. This is what they had to say.  Is it too much to ask?  

Vikas Mehta, who lost his hearing ability in the midst of his high-profile advertising career, describes how after having conquered this difficult phase in his life, he emerged as a more confident person and a better human being. Unfortunately, confidence becomes our biggest liability. When I was afflicted with Meniere’s disease, which made me hearing disabled, my immediate reaction was - will I be able to perform my duties as a husband, as a father, as a son and, in the Asian context, as a…

Since its inception in 2014, Adventures Beyond Barriers Foundation, which promotes inclusion by enabling Persons with Disability (PwD) and able bodied people to participate in adventure sports like paragliding, marathons, trekking, scuba diving and mountaineering together, has impacted close to 4000 PwDs and over 1.5 lakh able bodied people. Yashasvini Rajeshwar, Head of Media and Communication of ABBF, gives details about the pioneering effort. Tell us about this unique thought and its genesis…

Ever struggled to figure out what you can do or say to someone grieving the loss of a dear family member or friend. Here is a useful guide on how you can help someone coping with grief and bereavment. If you have other suggestions or experiences please do share by leaving a comment below  

Dr. V. L. Ramprasad, COO of MedGenome, a genomics-based diagnostics and research company, highlights the importance of genetic testing. Genetic testing can be useful in identifying genetic disorders, inherited diseases and abnormalities and helpful in management, treatment or prevention of diseases, especially cancers. What is the difference between genetic testing and genome sequencing? Genetic testing is an investigation that looks at specific set of gene variations or set of genes or the…

Tripura Kashyap, founder-director of Apoorva Dance Theatre in Bangalore and one of the pioneers of Creative Movement Therapy in India writes about how Dance and Movement Therapy helped Sheela, a 12-year-old girl on the Autism Spectrum in multiple ways. Read on: Movement and dance have the power to reach out to anyone. Dance Therapy cuts across socio-cultural-linguistic divides and impacts even those who we think are unreachable, living in their own realities. Sheela* is one such person that I…

Reshma Valliappan, is a an artist-activist-author who believes her schizophrenia is an integral part of her identity. Here, she talks about her initiative, The Red Door, and the focus on the mental health of youth. Tell us about your concept of The Red Door and its various initiatives with the youth? The Red Door (TRD) is an initiative to create more awareness about issues of mental health in India. It is built on a simple concept of empowerment and inspiration through social media (blogs,…

Antibiotic resistance or Antimicrobial resistance(AMR) is emerging as a major threat the world over. With high prevalence of infectious disease and poor health care, India is the largest consumer of antibiotics. Dr. Camilla Rodrigues, Consultant Microbiologist & Chairperson Infection Control Committee, P.D. Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai, gives us an overview of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance, a global concern, is particularly pressing in developing nations, including India, where…

Mirakle Couriers is a National Award winning courier agency that employs low-income deaf adults. We speak to the founder Dhruv Lakra about his pioneering social-commercial enterprise. Your enterprise, Mirakle Couriers, is business with a social purpose of providing employment to deaf individuals. What led you to you start this venture? Mirakle Couriers was triggered by one particular incident I experienced while traveling on a bus in Mumbai. I was sitting next to a passenger who was anxiously…