Tapaswini Swain
Nov 4 · 4 min read

Let’s create a Happy Space for the Differently Abled

I am no more different from you than you are from me.

If we identify the unstated points of comparison necessary to the idea of difference, we will then examine the relationships between people who have and people who lack the power, to assign the label of difference. The “dilemma of difference” (Martha Minow) brings out two important points, whether treating people differently, emphasize their difference and stigmatize or hinder them or treating people as same makes one insensitive to their difference and thus stigmatize or hinder them?

However, the way we approach, recognize and value differences is what defines the society. The world can be seen differently, the questions can be framed differently and that the legal notion of ‘equal’ and ‘different’ can be transformed, can make all the difference.

Every individual is different and that’s what makes one unique from the other. This diversity needs to be celebrated. When I say different, it may refer to all sorts of differences including the physical, mental, psychological, social or economic.

But why children with disabilities don’t find that happy space in our society to live life to the fullest? Why their disabilities are highlighted more than special abilities, their likes, and their interests and the possibilities they can venture into? Only because they don’t look, act, live and behave in a so-called normal way. Not denying the fact that they have disabilities that makes life challenging for them but this makes it even more important to look at their disabilities as differences like any other which is not to be brood over but to be accommodated.

Disability as defined by WHO (World Health Organization)

“Disabilities is an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. An impairment is a problem in body function or structure; an activity limitation is a difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action; while a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations. Disability is thus not just a health problem. It is a complex phenomenon, reflecting the interaction between features of a person’s body and features of the society in which he or she lives.”

The problem doesn’t lie with them, it rather questions how inclusive is the society and its people? We cannot accept it as yet another difference. Once we change our perspective towards disability, it opens up a whole new gamut of possibilities and hope for those children who are differently-abled and those associated with it (parents, family and peers). And thus help us create, what I call as a ‘Happy Space’ for them, not just limited to the special physical spaces but in the heart and minds of people.

So what happens when you create such Happy Space?

It brings unwavering confidence in children with special needs. They find new hope and reasons to lead their lives not just as an unwanted burden to their parents and society but as an independent individual. Not only that, their parents who are sick and tired of the questioning eyes that judge their integrity and responsibility towards their children, they too find peace and solace.

In my recent visit to an Integral School for special children named Divine Child under Ritwik Abha Trust by Manju Ray , I met this small little cute three and half year old toddler named Bidisha, who with a very poor visibility was enjoying the space so much so that she didn’t wish to go back to her home. This is what a Happy Space is! Ms. Manju opined that three interventions are essential for the special children’s development — special education, occupational therapy and speech therapy along with physiotherapy and yoga. She even insisted that parents need to stop being over-protective and keep trying ways to explore possibilities for making their children more independent.

How to create that Happy Space — Mind, Heart, and Society?

Acceptance and Patience

Acceptance of special children as an essential part of the family and society is the first step towards inclusion. A little more patience and compassion are what needed after all.

Change the Perspective of your Outlook

Changing the outlook towards the concept of disability is needed. This cannot be done overnight. With more knowledge and understanding, the mindset changes to view and accept it as any other differences which need different intervention and space to breathe.

They don’t need Sympathy! So Empathize

We are conditioned to attach the word sympathy with disability. But that is the wrong approach. The moment you do that you keep yourself at the privileged position and look down upon them as deprived. Replace the word sympathy with empathy, which will make you realize that they are no less than you despite their disability but one among you.

Talk, Write, Feel and Spread Positivism

Make use of every medium of communication to spread the positive waves, give information, create communities, and facilitate communication and awareness about the issue. Whether it is social media or any other mass media, the message sent helps in transforming the mindset of the people.

There have been instances in Bollywood when it has not only dealt with the subject of disability with sensitivity and compassion but also has been very instrumental in changing the perception of the people and society as a whole towards the differently-abled ones. To name a few like Paa, Black, Taarein Zameen Par, Iqbal, Barfi have inspired many and changed the perception to a large extent.

Draw Inspiration and Inspire!

Leave behind the big inspirations like Hellen Keller or Stephen Hawking , if Pranjal Patil, India’s first visually impaired woman IAS officer can do it, if the 19-year-old Pranav Bakshi with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) make headlines by becoming India’s first model with autism can walk the ramp for a few well-known fashion labels, why can’t any other children with special needs ?

Whenever I come across children with special needs I discover a different spark and ability that makes them unique. There is ‘Divinity in Differences’. Once you realize this you can create that Happy Space in your mind, heart, and society as well.