Ability beyond disability : Life of Deepa Malik is an inspiration

What gives us the best story? Is it the story of a champion, who has achieved success after being continuously pitted against misery or is it the story of a hero whose life was a bed of roses? Nothing to be taken away from any of the matadors, it is the former who inspires the world, more often than not. They rise from the ashes of obscurity, mediocrity, and adversity by sheer enthusiasm and determination. The story of the differently-abled, proving their mettle in the field of sports, or anything substantial for that matter, is such an endearing tale of bravery and deserves more than just a trifling mention.

She had a different vision. To battle against the psychology of the society that the disabled can’t do anything and to prove her capability. Joining the world of sports was just the eventuality of it.

Opportunities come to those who decide to fight. Despite suffering with Paralysis, she started swimming for speedy recovery and as her luck would have it, the Maharashtra government took the notice of her and offered her a chance to participate in the nationals. Now, she holds the Limca book of Record by swimming against the current of the Yamuna River.

Dr. V K Batish, the Neuro-surgeon who was treating her after her Paralysis at the Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi, was quoted by The Indian Express as saying, “In the 25 years that I've been a neurosurgeon, I have never come across a person like her. Deepa's recovery and her subsequent achievements are amazing. She's the kind who can teach doctors and the society at large."

But biking?

It’s not for the disabled, right?

She chose to play more outdoor sports to keep herself fit and to inspire many people not to take their disability as a hindrance. After excelling in the field of swimming and rallying, Malik then turned to javelin throw and shot put. She also excelled as a restaurateur but shut that down to focus on the 2010 Commonwealth games.

She couldn’t even participate in the London Paralympics despite being the bronze medalist in the 2010 Para Asian games due to the restricted quota of 10 athletes. But that never came in the way of her determination, and she believed in the cliché, “There is always a next time.”

She became the first Indian woman to win a medal at the Paralympics. Her shot put throw of 4.61 meters, her career best, has etched her name into the pages of history along with a dazzling silver medal.

Apart from shot put, swimming, and rallying, she has also won a silver medal at the World Championship in discus throw and currently holds the Asian record in javelin throw.

Deepa undoubtedly inspired many differently-abled people to be successful in their lives, more by her deeds than by her words. She has established an organization called ‘Ability beyond disability’ to make the disabled aware about their abilities.  

“When I started life afresh on a wheelchair after spinal cord damage, I had to undergo serious physiotherapy. When I interacted with people like myself, I realized they all felt a lack of direction. Most people think that life is restricted due to paralysis. For women, it is worse! Lucky to have full family back up and education on my side, I decided to give hope to those who were paralyzed.” Deepa told the Disability News and Information Service.

We need to celebrate the medals of our para-athletes with as much enthusiasm as we did when India won the world cup, with the love and warmth we welcomed Sakshi and Sindhu from Rio. Their life is an inspiration in itself. We all bow down Deepa ji!