Self confidence leads to transformation, proves woman with physical disability

Kathmandu – Tej Bahadur Karki and Krishna Kumari Karki of Ratnawati-7 in Sindhuli district were much worried when their one year old daughter became physically disabled, following high fever for many days. The Karki couple failed to ensure the timely and better treatment for their ailing child due to poor economic condition and geographical remoteness. 

They used to be restless upon seeing the condition of their first child who could not move her right hand and leg properly. The couple, taking a loan, wandered various health facilities in different places including in Kathmandu, with the hope of seeing their child normal. Gradually, she became able to move her hand, but her leg continues to restrict her mobility. The couple had lots of bitter experiences to tell how the (Nepalese) society views and treats the people with physical disabilities. 

Their first child Januka is also well aware of the perception of society towards the people like her or who seem different from those physically normal people "The society does not treat such people with respect," she said, adding that she really felt bad as she recalled those moments. 

The Karki family migrated to the Dudhauli Municipality from Ratnawati some 10 years ago. As Januka said her physical condition could never be hindrances or she would never let it be so in her school education. She completed her School Leaving Certificate (SLC) in 2068 BS. Though she was not in position of continuing her study due to some household reasons, she had passion and dedication to explore her skills in other areas so that it could help her become economically empowered. She came to know that Hands Nepal was offering training on quilt skills. Initially, the training organizers were doubtful over her ability to attend the training thinking that she would face difficulty to travel to the training center from home, but her confidence and will power proved their assumption wrong and she successfully completed the 20-day training programme. 

She learned many things from her trainer who was from Japan. Following the completion of her first training, she was selected for the week-long refreshment and market management training organised under the Global Environment Facility's Small Grants Programme. This training helped her further enhance her skills 

Now she earns Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 a month. "Those who would look down on me have started showing sympathy and love for me. Some in problems would even approach me for advices. I feel glad to become a helper, and my self esteem has also increased," she who is in her early thirties shared. 

The job has made her independent economically too, almost reducing her dependency on the family for pocket money, and eliminating her becoming an otherwise family burden as a differently abled person. She also gives some portion of her income in support to her six-family members (a father, a mother, a sister, and two brothers). 
"Now I can live without anyone's support," she said. 

She has invested Rs 40,000, and has a plan to start her own business after undergoing vocational training. She has also an advice to offer for those aspiring to go to foreign countries for a job—stay back and do a business in home country. ---