o! Sorry rajesh On 10/1/14, Asudani, Rajesh <[email protected]> wrote: > Her, I suppose. > > > With thanks and regards > > > (Rajesh Asudani) > > Assistant General Manager > Market Intelligence Unit > Reserve Bank of India > Nagpur > > Tel.: 0712 2806358 > (In youth you want things, and then in middle-age you want to want them.) > > > -----Original Message----- > From: AccessIndia [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf > Of Ravindra Jadhav > Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2014 1:40 PM > To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning > the disabled. > Subject: Re: [AI] Malvika Iyer's Amazing Story Of Grit! > > good, I respect him for what he did. > > On 10/1/14, Lissy Verghese <[email protected]> wrote: >> Thank you for sharing! >> Lissy Verghese >> >> On 10/1/14, Dr.B.S.M.Kumar <[email protected]> wrote: >>> Malvika Iyer's amazing story of grit! >>> >>> Malvika Iyer is the essence of courage and optimism. >>> At 13, a freak accident caused her to lose both her hands and severely >>> damaged her legs, raising serious doubts about whether she would ever >>> walk again. >>> But young Malvika braved the odds and emerged victorious. Today she is >>> a dedicated social worker, a motivational speaker and model for >>> accessible clothing in India. >>> Malvika is also a Global Shaper from the Chennai Hub, which is a part >>> of the Global Shapers Community, an initiative of the World Economic >>> Forum. >>> She gives a first person account of her ordeal and how she overcame it >>> to S Saraswathi. >>> Malvika Iyer >>> I was born in Kumbakonam. My father was transferred to Rajasthan when >>> I was still very young. I spent nearly 13 years of my early life in >>> Bikaner, Rajasthan. >>> I had a very healthy and a happy childhood. I was a tomboy; I enjoyed >>> outdoor sports and learnt swimming and skating. I also learnt Kathak >>> for about seven years. >>> It was a fun-filled life till the day I met with the accident: May 26, >>> 2002. I was 13 years old. >>> The accident >>> Some months before the accident, an ammunition depot had caught fire >>> in the city and hand shells, grenades and other bits and pieces were >>> scattered all over the city. One such piece landed in our >>> neighbourhood. >>> We were told that it was a diffused shell. I was trying to stick >>> something on my jeans pocket, and I wanted something heavy to hammer >>> it with. I just took this shell and hit it. >>> With the first hit, the shell exploded in my hand. >>> There was almost nothing left of my hands. Both my legs had severe >>> injuries, nerve damage and multiple fractures. >>> It took nearly two years and several surgeries for me to walk again. >>> Bedridden for two years >>> For the first three days after the explosion, I was totally conscious, >>> aware of each and every thing happening around me, but my body was >>> numb. >>> Within moments of the explosion I heard my mom screaming, "Meri bachhi >>> ke haath chale gaye!" >>> I was taken to the hospital immediately. There was so much damage to >>> my limbs that my body went into a state of shock. I could not feel >>> anything as the four main nerves were instantly cut. There was 80 per >>> cent blood loss. >>> When I reached the hospital there was zero BP, the doctors were not >>> sure if I would survive. >>> Even in that state I remember apologising to my mom, telling her that >>> I am sorry I put her through this. Then I said I wanted to meet this >>> friend of mine. It was so strange. I gave the contact number of my >>> friend and told my parents to call her. I was terrified; would this >>> really be the last time I was going to see these people? >>> The doctors were not sure that they would be able to save my leg, >>> especially the left one. It was dangling, just hanging from a small >>> bit of skin. They wanted to amputate it, but my parents did not want >>> to risk any more damage. They took me in an ambulance to Jaipur. >>> The splinters were stuck all over my legs and had penetrated deep >>> within. The pain began to sink in and it was terrible. I can remember >>> those days and nights filled with pain. >>> But the doctors were good and managed to save my leg. Though >>> completely disfigured, with no sensation in my left leg and a foot >>> drop (difficulty in lifting the front part of the foot) in the right, >>> I am lucky I still have them. >>> My hands, though, were completely cut off. There was no need to >>> amputate them because they had been blown off; they couldn't even find >>> any trace of them at the accident site. >>> Later a skin grafting operation was done and with that I am left with >>> just two stumps. Fortunately, the stumps, especially the right one, >>> were quite long, so I was able to lift them like how a squirrel does. >>> I was treated at a Bone and Joint clinic in Anna Nagar in Chennai. >>> After months of intense therapy, I was finally able to walk. >>> My accident happened in May 2002. I took my first few painful steps in >>> November 2003. >>> I still had a long way to go. >>> Getting on with life >>> We started enquiring about artificial hands. There was not much >>> awareness about this, so my mom and I used to Google. We found a >>> German prosthetics company called Ottobock that had a branch in >>> Chennai. >>> That is how I got a pair of bio-electric hands. >>> I started practising to write; initially my handwriting was very big, >>> and then slowly, with practise, I improved. >>> This was in December 2003. In four months my friends would be >>> appearing for their 10th board exams. I felt totally left out. >>> I was in touch with a very close friend in Bikaner. She used to tell >>> me how they were preparing. I decided that I would give it a shot. My >>> mom found this coaching centre right behind our street. >>> I had just three months to prepare. All my childhood, I have been into >>> sports and dancing and skating, and now I could do nothing but sit and >>> walk a bit. As I had no other choice, I think all my concentration >>> went into academics. >>> I prepared and prepared and when the results came, my life was >>> completely changed. >>> I got a State rank among the private candidates, and I was one among >>> the State toppers, as well. I scored centum in both Math and Science >>> and 97 in Hindi, also a State first. >>> I felt like a celebrity. The next day, all the leading newspapers >>> covered me. They wrote about how I overcame my disability to achieve >>> this distinction. It was all very encouraging. >>> I was invited to Rashtrapati Bhavan to meet Dr APJ Abdul Kalam (then >>> President of India). >>> Malvika Iyer with former Indian President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam >>> I got to meet a lot of other celebrities. I was given an award for >>> outstanding model student by Wisdom magazine. >>> After 12th, I joined St Stephen's College, Delhi, where I graduated in >>> Economics (Honours). >>> I then did my Master's in Social Work from the Delhi School of Social >>> Work. >>> During my field training, I had the opportunity to work with >>> differently-abled children. I realised that this is something I have >>> to be a part of. I could empathise with them and understand them >>> better. Since I was always given a lot of encouragement, I wanted to >>> give something back. >>> A new beginning >>> Last year, I was invited for a TEDx Talk and that talk completely >>> changed the course of my life. >>> Until then I was just doing my work and trying to be a part of >>> society. But that wasn't helping me much and I would still feel bad >>> that everybody else is normal and I am not. >>> But when I started talking about myself, I realised that I was >>> actually much better off than a lot of people, who would complain even >>> without any problem in their life. >>> I was seen as a motivational speaker. Now I get invited to talk at >>> colleges and schools or to corporates in Chennai and other cities. >>> Last year, I was invited to host the India Inclusion Summit in >>> Bangalore. I was the emcee and had the opportunity to meet a lot of >>> differently-abled people. There were people who had actually achieved >>> something or who were in the process of recovering and coming out of >>> it. It was a great honour to be able to host such a programme. >>> This helped me realise that I have to accept my disability. It is not >>> like I am ever going to get my hands back. >>> The people around me made this possible -- my friends, my family, and >>> my mom especially. She was my support throughout. She was like my >>> shadow. She made sure that nobody hurt me in any way. It is her >>> positive spirit that has made me who I am today. >>> She has given me a lot of freedom; she never treated me differently at >>> all. There was never any show of pity. >>> Presently, I am Junior Research Fellow doing my PhD in Social Work at >>> the Madras School of Social Work. I am studying the experience of >>> inclusion; how differently-abled people feel in society and what is >>> society's attitude towards them. >>> Initially, I used to feel bad when people stared at me. It made me >>> very uncomfortable, but now it does not matter. I know who I am. I >>> have become more strong-hearted, what they feel or how they see me >>> does not affect me any more. >>> Apart from this, I have been passionately working on everything >>> outside. Recently I did a ramp walk at NIFT (National Institute of >>> Fashion Technology), Chennai. >>> I am a model for accessible clothing; it is an initiative of Ability >>> Foundation and NIFT. >>> Malvika Iyer on the ramp at NIFT >>> The students designed two gowns for me, taking into considering my >>> prosthetic hand. I was the showstopper for that evening and it was an >>> amazing experience. Ever since then I have been writing about >>> accessible clothing. >>> When I was in the hospital bed 12 years ago, I thought that I could >>> never come out of this. Now I can see that there is so much more to >>> do. I think life is really, really good. >>> I was invited to host a Run in Bangalore recently. >>> I went all by myself. I handled everything, from the airport, all the >>> travelling, the stay in the hotel, etc. Today I can do 90 per cent of >>> my work on my own, without any assistance. >>> When I think about how my life has turned out to be, I think it is >>> fine, whatever happened. >>> I would not have wanted to live a mediocre life. I have always been >>> scared of mediocrity and I am not sure how my life would have turned >>> out if it were not for this accident. >>> I feel I am blessed because I know that something very horrible >>> happened and even now it is not like I am 100 per cent all right. I >>> can't just run around and do everything on my own. My legs still hurt >>> when I walk. >>> But a lot of good has come my way. >>> I am confident I can do something meaningful with this life. I don't >>> have any regrets. >>> Dancing was my first love. I used to be sad that I could not dance >>> like before. But now I have started dancing again. I cannot dance as >>> gracefully as before, but I still dance. >>> At the Bangalore Run, I danced on the stage. I think life is all about >>> making the best with what you have. >>> I got engaged in February this year to a wonderful man, a design >>> engineer, and there is a lot to look forward to in life rather than >>> just sitting around thinking of what could have been. >>> >>> Regards, >>> >>> -- >>> *Dr.B.S.M.Kumar* >>> *Prof.[Former] Dept of Chemical Engineering* >>> *SRM UNIV * >>> *Hand set +91 9840139849* >>> ** >>> >>> >>> >>> Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility >>> of >>> mobile phones / Tabs on: >>> http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in >>> >>> >>> Search for old postings at: >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >>> >>> To unsubscribe send a message to >>> [email protected] >>> with the subject unsubscribe. >>> >>> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >>> please >>> visit the list home page at >>> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >>> >>> >>> Disclaimer: >>> 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of >>> the >>> person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; >>> >>> 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the >>> mails >>> sent through this mailing list.. >>> >> >> >> >> Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility >> of >> mobile phones / Tabs on: >> http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in >> >> >> Search for old postings at: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> >> To unsubscribe send a message to >> [email protected] >> with the subject unsubscribe. >> >> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >> please >> visit the list home page at >> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >> >> >> Disclaimer: >> 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of >> the >> person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; >> >> 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the >> mails >> sent through this mailing list.. >> > > > > Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of > mobile phones / Tabs on: > http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in > > > Search for old postings at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > > To unsubscribe send a message to > [email protected] > with the subject unsubscribe. > > To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please > visit the list home page at > http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in > > > Disclaimer: > 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the > person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; > > 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails > sent through this mailing list.. > > Caution: The Reserve Bank of India never sends mails, smses or makes calls > asking for personal information such as your bank account details, > passwords, etc. It never keeps or offers funds to anyone. Please do not > respond in any manner to such offers, however official or attractive they > may look. > > Notice: This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and > intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are > addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, use, > review, distribution, printing or copying of the information contained in > this e-mail message and/or attachments to it are strictly prohibited. If you > have received this email by error, please notify us by return e-mail or > telephone and immediately and permanently delete the message and any > attachments. The recipient should check this email and any attachments for > the presence of viruses. The Reserve Bank of India accepts no liability for > any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email. > > > > Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of > mobile phones / Tabs on: > http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in > > > Search for old postings at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > > To unsubscribe send a message to > [email protected] > with the subject unsubscribe. > > To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please > visit the list home page at > http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in > > > Disclaimer: > 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the > person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; > > 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails > sent through this mailing list.. >
Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of mobile phones / Tabs on: http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ To unsubscribe send a message to [email protected] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list..
