Success Stories of Persons with Disability

“As the Tamil saying goes ‘Federation can bring benefits that even gold cannot give’. In order to experience spring forever in your life join the federation” -Mr. Livingston Livingston aged 30 was born in Ekkadu hospital as the second son to my parents from Ekkadu village of Tiruvallur District. Up to the age of two I was like other children and then tragedy struck in the form of fever that left me both the legs affected (90%). My mother took me to several hospitals and wanted to cure me but it was all vain. With the encouragement and support given by my parents and friends I completed my education up to 10th std. In partnership with my friends we started a garments shop and had to drop it soon due to very poor returns. In 2007, the IRCDS staff met me and spoke to me at regular intervals about the formation of groups for the PWDs and this developed an interest in the Person with Disability group (Disabled Persons Organisation - DPO). IRCDS gave trainings in embroidery, income generation activity loans, assistive devices and helped in accessing the government welfare schemes. I started three PWD groups in my village. During the trainings conducted by the organisation I became aware of my skills and also had the opportunity to use them with confidence. On 11th September 2010 the DPO federation leaders was held and I contested in it and was elected as the President of the federation with a huge margin of votes. This became a turning point in my life. Being the President of the federation I had the opportunity to attend several trainings and workshops in several districts of Tamil Nadu and other States. Through these trainings I became aware and gained a deeper understanding of the rights of PWDs, human rights violations and the various hurdles in ensuring our rights. Having understood that the federation can be used as an effective tool to address both the hurdles and violation of rights of PWDs for the past three years I had undertaken several efforts in creating an image to the Vasantham DPO Federation not only in Tiruvallur district but also as one of the few organisations in Tamil Nadu that advocates and lobbies for the protection of the rights of PWDs. Without doubt all these successes only add more strength to the unity of the Vasantham federation. In December 2012, I had the opportunity to participate and meet several key persons working for the rights of PWDs in the CBR 1st World Congress that was held at Agra and in the Caritas Germany CBR project Partners exposure visit held at Delhi. For the first time I had the opportunity to participate in a National Level Conference, this makes me feel proud and my first travel by flight. All these experiences encourage me more to keep moving forward. Since both my legs were affected by polio at a very young age, I never even dreamt the possibility of marriage in my life. But by the efforts of Mr. Titus, Executive Secretary of IRCDS I got married in July 2011. Looking at my confidence and capabilities my wife Nageswari who is a non disabled is proud to be my life partner. Another memorable incident was receiving the benefit (4 gram Gold and Rs.25,000/- in cash) of the marriage scheme for PWDs in the inauguration of the scheme from the hands of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. We are now blessed with a girl child. I was an instrumental in helping many PWDs to get marriage, to gain employment opportunities and help PWDs to ensure their right to equal share of the property in the family. Mr. Livingston’s father says “Initially, I was very worried about my son’s condition. But now I’m at peace when I see him with a family of his own. We are a happy family with a wonderful daughter-in-law”. Mr. Livingston’s Mother says “I get goose bumps when I see my son speaking like a lawyer. Seeing him as a President for 2200 Persons with Disabilities makes me feel proud to say that I’m his mother. If only mothers who have children with disabilities, irrespective of their disability, if they treat them with love, care and provide necessary support hundreds of such Livingston’s can be developed”. “As the Tamil saying goes ‘Federation can bring benefits that even gold cannot give’. In order to experience spring forever in your life join the federation” - Livingston said.