Grishma's Odyssey from Mohali to prosperity: An Examination by Suresh Nair
In an exclusive interview, Grishma, a remarkable woman who has faced adversity head-on, shared her experiences and thoughts on life after a life-altering accident.
Grishma, who was left paralyzed below the neck due to the accident, has had to adapt to a new way of life. The medical term for her condition is tetraplegia. The accident also had a profound psychological impact on her.
When asked about her social life, Grishma admitted that it had changed significantly. However, she remains hopeful about the future, not ruling out the possibility of being in a relationship and starting a family.
Indian society, according to Grishma, finds it difficult to accept disabilities. This lack of social inclusion and inadequate facilities for people with physical disabilities poses challenges when stepping out.
Grishma's health insurance does not cover rehabilitation, machinery, equipment, and physiotherapy expenses, leaving her to bear these additional costs from her own pocket. These expenses can be substantial, and there is currently no insurance or financial plan to cover them.
However, Grishma is not just a survivor; she is an advocate. She is deeply concerned about improving facilities for the disabled group and has taken it upon herself to raise awareness about the challenges they face.
Financial support for individuals like Grishma is available in India. The Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme, for example, provides a monthly pension to disabled persons living below the poverty line. Other schemes, such as the Financial Assistance for Persons with Special Needs (Delhi Government) and the Sugamya Sahayak Scheme (Delhi), offer financial assistance and free or subsidized assistive devices.
Despite these schemes, direct coverage for physiotherapy expenses may be limited under government schemes. For physiotherapy, local government hospitals and rehabilitation centers sometimes offer subsidized or free services, but direct financial assistance specifically for physiotherapy may be scarce.
Grishma's parents were deeply affected by the realization that she was paralyzed. The accident may have also changed Grishma's views on spirituality. She did not disclose her future plans in the interview, but she mentioned the most prominent moment of her life and her plans for advocating for change.
Grishma's story is a testament to her resilience and determination. Despite the challenges she faces, she continues to strive for a better life for herself and others in her situation. Her advocacy work is inspiring and serves as a reminder that with determination and a strong spirit, anything is possible.
[1] Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme: https://www.mygov.in/schemes/indira-gandhi-national-disability-pension-scheme/ [2] Financial Assistance for Persons with Special Needs (Delhi Government): https://www.delhigovt.nic.in/wps/wcm/connect/doit_delhi/swd/schemes/schemes/financial-assistance-for-persons-with-special-needs [3] Financial Assistance for 75% or More Permanent Disability (Maharashtra): https://www.maharashtra.gov.in/sites/default/files/Maharashtra%20State%20Govt%20Schemes%20for%20Differently%20Abled%20Persons.pdf [4] Sugamya Sahayak Scheme (Delhi): https://www.delhigovt.nic.in/wps/wcm/connect/doit_delhi/swd/schemes/schemes/sugamya-sahayak-scheme
- Grishma's medical condition, tetraplegia, requires constant physiotherapy and the use of equipment, which are not covered by her health insurance.
- Managing the expensive rehabilitation and physiotherapy costs exacerbates the financial stress for Grishma, as there is currently no insurance or personal finance plan to cover these expenses.
- While financial assistance for people with disabilities is available in India through schemes like the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme and the Sugamya Sahayak Scheme, direct coverage for physiotherapy expenses may be limited under these government programs.
