Navigating Spinal Cord Injuries: A Guide

On the 29th September 2024, an Instagram live session titled "Navigating Spinal Cord Injuries: A Guide" was held, featuring Ms. Dinkle Shah, a para badminton and basketball player. 

She began by sharing her personal story of sustaining a spinal cord injury and her early experiences of school life. She spoke about  the societal stigma she faced, especially in the early 2000s, a time when concepts like accessibility and inclusion were alien to most people. She described how navigating school life presented significant challenges due to the lack of understanding and accommodation faced by people with disabilities. Although there has been some progress in this regard, Ms. Shah highlighted that acceptance and equal opportunities are still scarce in many sectors.

She discussed how  awareness and sensitization could be effective in changing perceptions, even though there have been government initiatives in the form of policies, guidelines, and infrastructural developments.

Ms. Shah also provided insights into her journey as a national-level para basketball and badminton player. She spoke candidly about the barriers she faced, not only due to her disability but also because of gender differences in sports. Despite the growing recognition of para-sports, she noted that they remain in a nascent stage in terms of public visibility and support.

She soon realized that building a long-term career in sports was not feasible. She shifted to pursuing her MBA and established herself in the corporate sector, where she currently works for a big 4. Her experience in the corporate world was different, with accommodations made for her specific needs, reflecting a more inclusive work environment.

The session came to an end with a message from Ms. Shah, where she said that while government efforts have been crucial, true change will come from increased public awareness and the empowerment of individuals with disabilities. She urged those with disabilities to take accountability of their situations, be resilient, and push past challenges.