August 22, 2019
Kerala youngster Midhun VP’s story summarises the many accessibility
barriers people with disabilities come up against at various levels. This
young man from Vadakara has muscular dystrophy and is a wheelchair user. Now,
he finally has an electric wheelchair from a group of donors, but cannot use
it as the roads outside his house are in a pathetic state. Requests to
authorities to repair them have been ignored.
Like anyone his age, 29-year-old Midhun VP is raring to be
on the move and independent. Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, a few years
ago, Midhun is a wheelchair user. He is looking for a job to support his
family.
Midhun’s life changed when he was in class 5 when he was diagnosed with
muscular dystrophy. He used to fall now and then and finally a doctor
diagnosed him with the condition.
Recently, Roshan, a Bengaluru-based techie along with his
group of friends took an initiative and decided to give him an electric
wheelchair which is worth over one lakh rupees. Midhun thought that he can
now go outdoors, meet his friends and even travel on his own without being
dependent on his family. This youngster and his family stays at
Makkarathu Mukku in Vadakara where the roads are filled with
potholes, especially after the recent rains.
Electric wheelchairs are made so that we users can become more independent.
The day I got my new wheelchair I was excited, and wanted to come back home
on it. But as soon as I reached near my home, I realised that going on my
wheelchair on pathetic road conditions will never happen. Ever since then,
I and my family has been knocking doors of panchayat, public works
department officials and politicians. Nothing substantial has been done
till date. – Midhun VP, Wheelchair user
It has been over a year and nothing has been done. “Just like other
youngsters my age, I want to go out alone. But I am unable to and it is the
government’s duty to ensure that public places and roads are made accessible
for people with disabilities. This apathy and insensitivity is
heart-breaking”, he says.
When Midhun’s plight was covered by a few local media agencies, authorities
promised action. Yet, nothing has changed. “No one has even come this side to
check condition of the road”, adds Midhun.
With the support of his family, Midhun had started making paper pens which he
sells off at to his clients. “My father goes to Kozhikode and buys all
products for bulk. If I could move around in my wheelchair, I can do this
myself without depending on anyone. But if the authorities are closing their
eyes to our plight, what can I do”, he asks. His mother Shantha
VP says that they do not have the time or money to file a case
against the authorities.
“Over the last few months, we realised that we need political influence in
order to get this done. We don’t have that. Even a person without any
disabilities finds it hard to walk on these roads. So how can a disabled
person use his wheelchair?”, she asks.
The apathy of government officials and politicians are demoralising for this
youngster who has big dreams.
Contact Midhun at +91 95620 59636.
ALSO READ: 14 year old Joel Biju has overcome a disability to finish over
1000 paintings in one year
Source: https://newzhook.com/story/midhun-vp-kerala-muscular-dystrophy-accessible-roads-government-vadakara
