Meet Miss Wheelchair Runner Up 2014, Model/Actress, Motivational Speaker, Writer, Disability Rights Advocate and Quora's Top Writer Virali Modi. From a bubbly 14-year-old school girl in Pennsylvania, USA, she was rendered paralysed neck down as a result of an unknown diagnosis (meningitis, enchephalitis, meningioenchepalitis, spina bifida, and/or transverse myelitis). She shares her opinions of how Indian society needs to go through a sea change vis a vis its attitude towards people with disabilities
Virali, you are what the doctors call a miracle at Hershey Medical Centre.What made it possible for you to bounce back?
My parents are my pillars of support, they are the reason I am alive today and fighting. They make me strong and they motivate me, every single day. Without them, I am nothing.
Your petition started the Indian Railways to think of accessibility. Are you happy about it?
Somewhat, We have procured portable ramps and aisle sized wheelchairs in Trivandrum, Ernakulum and Kochi, as of now. I have also spoken to two railway officials and two politicians in Mumbai and they are incredibly slow to implement the same system that Kerala has, so it is disheartening.
What exactly do you think the railways should do?
I think they should consider the fact that 25 million people in India are disabled in some way or other. I think they should realise that making 500 stations accessible is not enough. They need to make more stations accessible and they need to make the trains accessible too. I do not think there needs to be a specific compartment for the disabled - because that is segregation. I think the trains need to be made inclusive for all.
As a writer and motivational speaker ,what according to you are the areas which need more focus (with regard to disability)?
Society needs more focus. Society treats those with disabilities sympathetically or as if we're taboo. We don't need sympathy, rather empathy is needed. And we aren't taboo. Their mindset is taboo, according to me. Society needs to learn sensitivity. Example: when you see someone who is disabled, let him enter the lift first; if you see him struggling, ask him if he would like your help, etc. We are people too, treat us as such.
What was your experience in your acting and modelling career? What is the level of acceptance in our society?
No way! There's no room for someone on a wheelchair in the film fraternity, to be honest. I've always been told, "Madam, you have the looks, I mean jabardast looks hai aapke, you have talent too! But you know... You’re on a wheelchair, na ... So we can't take you in X role." That's the problem I've faced. As for society, I don't care what it thinks think. I'm living my life, my way. I don't live for society.
How inclusive is Indian Society? What is the need of the hour?
Indian society is not inclusive at all.. We need courtesy lessons given from preschool, and to every single politician. People need to learn how to be empathetic and sensitive towards others.
This article has been republished here in arrangement with Connect Special, a digital magazine, which provides solutions for challenges faced by people with disability.
