All excited I am once again to have ‘run’ as a ‘Champion with Disability’ in the TCS Bangalore 10K World Run on May 17 at the age of 65 — although I can only limp around on arthritis-affected legs. This is a huge annual event for me and it is my ninth since its launch in 2008, also counting the Mumbai Marathon 2011. I participated to raise funds for the programmes of a Foundation that works to enable and empower the mentally and physically challenged lead more independent lives.
In the ‘wheelchair run’, some are self-propelled while others like me have an escort-pusher. As a sportsperson and national hockey player, I have run many races and played at Bangalore’s Kanteerava Stadium in my youth. I had never dreamt I’d be back more than 50 years later in a ‘different kind’ of run. I was there to make a statement that being a person with disability need not stop you from ‘running’ for a purpose.
In 2008, my zealous young volunteer escort and I realised what novices we were at the game. Our co-participants zoomed away while we zig-zagged all over the roads. My wheelchair encounters until that point had been limited to post-operative trips down smooth hospital corridors, gently manoeuvred by expert attenders. My escort was a first-timer too, so for both of us this ‘hard to control’ adventure began fairly traumatically. I had no intention of ‘flying out’ of the wheelchair (no seat belt here) through an accidental bump. It was initially difficult though to convince my companion that I was not there to win the race.
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Thankfully, my message did get through in a short while and thereafter the ride was slow, smooth and enjoyable. We had the road all to ourselves as we wheeled along some decent ones (both these experiences are rare in today’s Bangalore). Early-morning walkers cheered us along, as I distributed copies of my poem, ‘Beatitudes of the Disabled’. I also got to speak to some media crews about the need for more awareness that the disabled can be more productive in the mainstream of society. I told them of this possibility if basic infrastructure such as ramp access to buildings and disabled-friendly roads and transport are provided.
The event, a fun-filled experience of camaraderie among Bangaloreans, brought us in a happy and fulfilled ‘last to finish’. Even though tired — and by now my enthusiastic escort was panting as well — we had achieved our mission to spread the vision of the organisation in whose cause we had ‘run’. So far there is almost Rs.2 lakh in the kitty of the Diya Foundation from my efforts.
In 2012, I got the award for highest fund-raiser among Women Care Champions with a collection of Rs.10.01 lakh for the Association of People With Disability, Bangalore. Truly it was a proud achievement!
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jacolaco7@gmail.com