Conquering hurdles

Notwithstanding the hurdles in her life, Sai Padma, who was affected by polio when she was just 45 days old, grew up to be a strong woman. She is the brainchild behind the NGO Global Aid, whose main aim is to help people with disability. 

When Padma was young she underwent 56 shock treatments and 18 surgeries, which left her with only functional upper body and she was confined to a wheelchair, however, that did not deter her and she established the NGO in 2008, which provides an opportunity to people with disability, to lead their lives with dignity and respect.  

She did not want to spend her life in a wheelchair and with determination, she attempted to walk and in the process she sustained seven fractures and developed scoliosis at the age of 17, which mounted more pressure, that only propelled her in her fight to conquer her disability and dispel the myth that disabled people cannot produce remarkable performance just as the abled folks. 

“I was drawn towards Para-Rifle shooting out of interest. I have made up my mind to take it up seriously and give my 100 per cent to achieve success at national and international level,” Padma shared. “The criticism from others saying that it is not possible and I shouldn’t take up such challenges, which are not for those who cannot even think of motivated me even more and being a disabled person, has induced confidence into me to learn and prove the people wrong .” 

Padma pursued higher education and there had always been an urge to work for a social cause. She completed Law and Chartered Accountancy and became a volunteer at Lions Club at the age of 22. She worked with 200 schools as project coordinator for Pratham USA; coordinated educational needs of 5,000 children, ran three schools for child labour on behalf of International Labour Organisation; worked as project head for HIV/AIDS programme for intervention of truck drivers and their families and initiated welfare programmes for highway sex workers. 

At age of 22, she underwent a major spinal surgery in two spells, which restricted her body movements to a large extent but the unfortunate situation didn’t stop. “After my spinal surgery, I was in a fix and was confined to the wheelchair. It was very inconvenient and I felt distressed. But I made things fall into place from home and did not allow depression to take over me, with extreme struggle,” she said.

In a significant development, her travel to the USA, and study about independent living centres and organisations working for the disabled paved way for the formation of a hostel for underprivileged children ‘Hub n Spoke Model of Education’ in 2007, which is functional in six tribal hamlets covering 300 children. “I formed a team and reached out to 1,450 students from disenfranchised and disturbed family and helped them pursue their interests in education and various fields. We give them free meals, shelter, tutoring and mentoring,” Padma said.

She believes that women should break the stereotypes and move ahead to establish a foothold in their field of interest. “Especially, the disabled women should honour their true spirit and love themselves the most to develop courage in order to  eliminate the feeling of disability and live a remarkable life.”

Padma was recognised as one of the 100 influential women in the world by BBC in 2017 and she has garnered many accolades and awards for her determination to serve the humanity. As she continues conquering her dreams and reaching her aspirations, she enjoys complete support from her life partner, Pragnanand.