Medicos have never been in short supply, particularly in urban areas. They come with all kinds of specialization tags attached to their qualifications profile. However, Dr. Harinder Dhaliwal is a doctor with a difference. He does not like being treated differently though. Any way, what is so different about the man? Well, he happens to be a paraplegic!

Naturally, being a paraplegic means having to cope with a life–long disability. It is commonly caused by spinal injury. Dhaliwal met with an accident nearly two years ago. Since then, he has had a tough time completing his undergraduate medical education. All credit to the man’s indomitable spirit, that huge odds notwithstanding he has been able to complete his MBBS studies from the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune.

Speaking to aarogya.com, the brave young man dwelt on the difficulties he encountered and the manner in which he had coped with them. He went on to stress the need to be regarded as a “Normal” person. Among the problems he faced apart from depending on others for every small need, he mentions the constant stares and sympathy his condition seems to evoke. That, he protests is almost as though he were being reminded of being different from others. Fortunately, for Dhaliwal, he got all the moral support he needed to start life anew from his family, friends and teachers. Constant morale boosters helped him cope with the fact of being confined to a wheel chair. And, he decided to fight back and live life to its fullest.

He has set his sights on an overseas excursion to further his academic pursuits. The young man insists he plans to return to India and do something for physically challenged people like himself. As of now, in terms of facilities at public places like ramps, separate entrances at shopping complexes, theatres, hospitals, colleges etc. are conspicuous by their absence. Moreover, public transport, he points out, is not equipped to meet their special needs.

Dhaliwal’s is a tale of courage and doggedness which is an example worth emulating. aarogya.com is starting a Paraplegic Support Group for the physically challenged who could come together and share their thoughts and opinions with one another, constitute a forum for others like themselves and try and do something to redress their problems.