Padmavathi Pottabathini
| Picture Credit score: Particular association

A journey that began as a search to seek out her toes steered her in the direction of changing into a help to individuals with particular wants. Set to obtain the nationwide award for the Empowerment of Individuals with Disabilities for the yr 2022 below the class Sarvshreshth Divyangan on December 3 from the President of India, Padmavathi, a third-time awardee, says the popularity is a reminder to remain dedicated to her efforts in supporting differently-abled individuals.

As a one-year-old toddler, Padmavathi had barely began taking child steps when she fell in poor health with polio and backbone scoliosis that led to 90% of immobility in her physique. With restricted sources to make their daughter’s life snug, her weaver dad and mom in Khammam, Telangana discovered themselves at a crossroads. Her mom, P Kusuma, was decided to not let her daughter’s life wither away. Her prayers have been answered when Clara Heaton, an Australian physiotherapist, and head of the St Mary’s Polio Rehabilitation Centre in Khammam, took Padmavathi, then aged six, below her care.

Surpassing struggles

“From the age of eight to fifteen, I underwent seven surgical corrections. Greater than the bodily ache, after each surgical procedure I might get anxious about recovering in time for my faculty exams,” remembers Padmavathi who accomplished her SSC, Intermediate and commencement with out letting the remedy get in the best way. “I by no means had a long-term dream. Daily was a hope. So long as my mind is working and I can see, I felt I ought to deal with finishing my research. Clara Heaton was a significant affect and guided me all by way of,” says Padmavathi who inherited her mom’s singing expertise and was a daily participant on stage at school. “After I was getting alternatives to sing and carry out exterior faculty and school, Clara suggested me to remain focussed on research and pursue my hobbies solely after finishing my commencement,” smiles Padmavati.

Artistic turns

Padmavathi portraying the position of Satyabhama within the play ‘Srikrishna Tulabharam’
| Picture Credit score:
Particular association

She arrived in Hyderabad to take part in a singing competitors performed by Vamsee Ramaraju, founding father of Vamsee Worldwide. He inspired her to coach in mythological drama. She gained appreciation for enjoying the roles of Srikrishna, Satyabhama, Panduranga and lots of extra. She toured throughout India acting on the stage. She was chosen for the Nationwide Award in 2009 for Excellent Artistic People with Disabilities.

The seek for employment proved to be the hardest interval in her life. “At that time, I understood how physically-challenged individuals are at drawback in our nation. I wished to set proper the state of affairs one way or the other; the considered beginning an NGO got here from that want,” says Padmavathi. “Clara Heaton felt that greater than regular individuals, an individual with disabilities can be the fitting particular person to know and information different comparable individuals,” she provides.

Help system

Padmavathi began the Institute for the (dis)Abled (Divyang) in December 1999 with the intention of offering differently-abled kids vocational coaching in computer systems, tailoring, music, performing and dance, all with the help of philanthropists. Now the institute additionally shelters practically 52 senior residents, most of them bodily challenged.

Married and a mom of an 18-year-old son, Padmavathi is emphatic about not changing into depending on anybody. “I’m extraordinarily impartial and wish to battle for the rights of different differently-abled individuals to turn into impartial. I’ve been campaigning for the implementation of 2016 RPWD that promotes and protects the rights of individuals with disabilities in varied points of life,” says Padmavathi who’s eager to take up a political position in future.