An army man’s wife, mother of two, a restaurateur with a social cause, a former beauty queen, an accomplished swimmer on the international platform and now a wannabe biker; 38 year-old Deepa Malik wears a multitude of hats and firmly refuses to let any conversation veer to sympathy that her wheelchair status often attracts. Suffering from Arachnoid cyst, Malik lost the use of her legs after three operations that rendered her a paraplegic in 1999.

Three major spinal injuries leading to 153 stitches and laminectomy on seven vertebrae are etched in Malik’s medical profile but she still takes much pride in her physical capabilities. Malik stood second in the swimming category at FESPIC Games 2006 held Kuala Lumpur-the second biggest games for the disabled in the world.

Recently, she represented the country at the World Level World Wheel Chair and Amputee Games in Taiwan 2007, where she ranked fourth in the javelin and discus events and is the first paraplegic who has been featured in the MTV Roadies City.

Currently in the city to participate in the 8th National Paralympic Swimming Championship, 2007, Malik had already won a gold.

“I still don’t understand why Hindi films show people in wheelchairs with a cloth covering their knees,” she said, a hint of amusement and irritation lacing her voice.

“We need a drastic change of attitude as well as action when it comes to disability. When I go for international events, I bear the tag of athlete, but here people like us are still referred to as handicapped,” she said adding that every ‘specially-abled’ person should be well versed with his or her condition.

“You have to accept the way you are, as that will define the way others look at you,” she added, relating experiences of how her ‘lady on the wheelchair’ status continues to attract ‘special treatment’ as well as sympathetic or embarrassed looks.

Malik who also delivers motivational lectures in the defence arena, has been rallying for increased participation from maimed and handicapped personnel. “While in other countries, war victims who have acquired a disability during war are immediately introduced to the world of sports, as a part of their rehabilitation, here their potential continues to remain untapped,” said Malik. Introducing them to sports will not only channel their potential, but will serve to reinforce their self-confidence, she added.

Now, Malik is all set to adopt a new set of wheels as the owner of a brand new customised bike that has developed by a Delhi-based firm. Determined to add the words ‘adventure’ and ‘fun’ to ‘handicap’, Malik plans to ride 4,000 kms across the country and support a few causes for the differently-abled.

With a German ‘beauty on wheelchair’ contest in the offing and the impending Beijing Paralympics, Malik is set to go places.

Sunday , December 23, 2007
source: http://www.expressindia.com/