Travelling in India for a wheelchair user has been a difficult, if not dangerous proposition at times, with insensitivity and indifference reigning supreme. So, when I had to take my first flight journey in 16 years, there was a lot of trepidation and fear, especially because I had personally experienced a very painful experience in the past, during an international flight.

Although fear bubbled up in my heart, I did not allow it to take root because I knew I’m a different person now than I was in 2000, and the world is a different place. I decided to overcome my fears and test the effectiveness of the Prime Minister’s Accessible India Campaign or Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, which was instituted last year with the aim of designing disabled-friendly buildings and human resource policies.

It is very easy to criticise and judge, especially in a country like India which is vast and diverse, and I have vociferously done so in the past. However, I now take great pride and joy in praising my great nation. I love my country with every breath in my body and would never want to live anywhere else, no matter how difficult things may be.

At the same time, I am only now able to hold my head high in saying that India is taking effective and functional measures to ensure wheelchair accessibility in public places everywhere. May be changed is only in the metros for now, maybe change is slow, but change is happening.

Wherever I went in New Delhi, there were functional and good quality ramps. I was so happy that I did not have to face the indignity of being carried around. I was given equal rights to roam around to my heart’s content and it was such a freeing experience.

Flight travel was my other big concern, and it turned out that my fear was completely illusory. The airline and airport staff were very friendly and took very good care of me. There is still room for improvement as there is a dearth of Aisle Chairs at airports, but otherwise travel for wheelchair users has become so comfortable that people who can walk are opting for it, especially senior citizens.

So many wonderful strangers willingly came forward to assist us without expectation or ulterior motives, so many of my Guardian Angels took on the responsibility of making my trip to New Delhi a success, that no words can never begin to express my gratitude.

I must say that many people with physical challenges resign themselves to a life indoors and shy away from people all together. I have been one of them in the past, but I wish to say to all of you who are reading this, who maybe afraid for various reasons that there is HOPE. The world is not always a dark and dangerous place, Please come out and join me in raising awareness about our needs, so that we may become completely reintegrated into society and have the opportunity to fulfil our dreams. I’m completely paralysed below the neck, so just think, if I can accomplish this much, is there really any limit to how far you can go?

December 3 is “World Disability Day” and I wish to say that I hope there will be a time in the future when such a day will not be necessary at all. I dream of a day when everyone, regardless of gender or ability will be automatically provided with equal rights to lead a life of dignity and purpose, and all the “disabled” in the world can become “Positively-Abled”!