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Submitted by PatientsEngage on 4 August 2019
A young woman in a blue dress standing next to the open car door with a car key in her hand

Anita Sharma from Jaipur, who has a 70% disability due to Polio, did a PhD from IIM Indore in Disability and Entrepreneurship. Driven by her own passion to drive modified cars and to enable persons with disabilities to be independent, she started a driving school. Anita Sharma on her personal journey and initiative.

Your background of polio from a young age, surgeries, calipers.

I contracted Polio at a very tender age. When I was just six months old my parents realized something was wrong as I suddenly stopped my leg movements. They visited the doctor and heard the worst ever news - I was paralyzed waist below. They were shattered and broken. My mother was just 18 years old. She was young and had no idea what was to be done with me. My parents visited a lot of doctors. I underwent a total of 14 major surgeries at Santokba Durlabji memorial hospital Jaipur (1987) and Prema Hospital, Vishakhapatnam (1998). I started walking with the help of calipers and crutches. With a lot of physiotherapy, I was able to balance my body and stopped using crutches. Now I am able to walk with the support of calipers in my right leg.

How did polio affect your school and college life?

My schooling was pretty normal. My father was in the transferable job. Hence, I studied in Kendriya Vidyalaya. We traveled a lot due to transfers and LTCs. But I was lucky enough to have good friends who supported me.  

What motivated you to start "Drive On My Own"? 

With the help of my mother, I learnt to drive a car (modified car), which gave me confidence. Eventually, it became my passion.

Watching me drive cars many disabled colleagues and friends asked  if I can make teach them to drive a car. This germinated the idea of starting a car driving school for persons with disabilities. I named this social purpose initiative as “ON MY OWN” to enable persons with reduced mobility to drive on their own. I provide customized driving sessions on modified cars, counseling, motivational talks and guidance in the issuance of driving license. ON MY OWN reflects ‘I am the master of my own faith and journey’ and it is a way to independence and freedom.

What disabilities do you currently cater to? What is the role of modified cars?  

I am working with people with reduced mobility in terms of car driving. Modified cars bring independence, freedom and On My Own type feeling which is essential for a person with a disability. Currently we are in Jaipur and Chandigarh.

Assume I am a disabled person in Tamil Nadu or West Bengal. What should I do if I want to drive?

A driving school needs registration with RTO/ DTO. In India, there are only two driving schools which train people with disabilities. I am associated with a couple of Rehab Centers in the north. However, I have planning to open a hostel in Jaipur soon. I think it will make it relatively convenient. 

Are there any additional risks associated with a PWD driving? Any guidance to getting a license and insurance. 

Every disability is unique. Driving is an art with some skill set. At the individual level, one has to have confidence in driving. But at the infrastructure level, driving brings issues of parking, general public sensitization, lack of awareness on issues like tool tax exemption.RTO/ DTO doesn't know the rules. Even the medical officers who certify the candidate's medical proofs are unaware. 

What holds people back from driving? Are family caregivers reluctant? 

I have varied experience in this regards. It all depends on the individual's level of confidence and willpower. 
Factors like the level of disability, the occurrence of disability (by birth or acquired), if acquired then how (in a road accident or any other reason). Caregivers/ parents do react sometimes out of care, sometimes out of safety but driving is still an individual-level decision.

Have you had any negative reactions to either you driving or you now teaching to drive?

Thankfully, no such experience so far. People are appreciative and look forward to their sessions.

Your advice to a person with disability:

Disability brings dependence. A person with a disability must work towards ways and means of having an independent life.

One should always feel that "I am On My Own".

Anita Sharma is a founder of DriveOnMyOwn