Shushila Sets an Example
- By Bhumikala Poudel

For Shushila Dhakal it is not uncommon to be greeted by people who say "I've read about you in the papers", or "I've seen you on TV working on a computer". Indeed, few are the newspapers who have not written about Shushila Dhakal, but what is it that makes her such an interesting story.

Shushila Dhakal was born in Putalibazar Municipality Ward No. 8 in Syangja District in 2039. A third child after two older boys, Shushila was born with both her hands missing. Initially, her parents had little hope of her survival, but she soon started to play with toys, using her feet, and her parents allowed themselves to feel a glimmer of hope. Maybe she would be able to use those feet to make herself a place in society.

From an early age she would touch and move everything with her feet. When she saw her brothers But now she uses the public buses, tempos and micro buses. She recalls riding a bus for the first time when going with friends to see Swayambhu. Shushila says her sense of self reliance comes from her irrepressible spirit and a habit of trying things out. "Nothing is impossible if you keep on trying. How can you move ahead if you give up without even trying?" she asks.


Born into an educated family, Shushila found encouragement to move ahead in the cooperation extended to her by family. She feels that other disabled persons can also make headway if their families provide similar support and inspiration.

To this day she has never known anyone making fun of her. From school to college campus everyone has extended their love and
cooperation to her. She tells about friends falling over each other in order to help her.


The happiest moment she has known so far was when she found opportunity for advancement after coming to Kathmandu. The saddest moment was her failure in the SLC because she could not write her history paper well enough, due to lack of time.


Speaking about her goal, Shushila says, "I want to become a web designer" and she has already completed the computer "basic
course" and "web designing course".


She also aspires to do something for the disabled. She has already writing, she would snatch their pen and clasp it with
her toes and put it to paper. In a short while she had learned how to write.


Today, everything she does is by feet: She washes her face, brushes her teeth, combs her hair, eats, goes to the toilet, carries her bag, turns the pages of a book, opens and shuts doors, folds her clothes, irons. She can also do the ordinary chores of the kitchen such as shifting through the rice, pouring it into a container, shifting through vegetables, lighting the gas stove, wiping the floor.


"I try to do all my work myself as far as I can", she says.


After a Kantipur newspaper printed a story about her, doors began to open for Shushila.


She had passed the SLC in Syangja and was studying for the I.A. when Bishnu K.C., head of Suryodaya Girls Hostel, came to know about her via the newspaper. K.C. arranged for her to continue her education in the capital. Shushila has now just completed the B.A. third year exams.

Living in the capital Shushila came across other disabled people and learnt about various associations and bodies working for the disabled. Meeting other disabled and doing trainings added to her self confidence. When she first came to the capital she moved around by taxi, thinking it would be difficult for her to do otherwise.


started working towards the attainment of her goal and desire. She currently serves as executive secretary at the Nepal Disabled's Human Rights Center (DHRC), which has been working for the rights of the disabled. She is also busy developing the center's web site.


As someone who has been able to project herself on par with the able bodied despite having no hands, Shushila has been warded and honoured from time to time. In recognition of her accomplishment the Fund for the Disabled presented her the "Disabled Talent Award- 2055". She was also felicitated by the Kanya Multiple Campus Dillibazar and Maiti Nepal at separate functions on the occasion of International Women's Day.


This accomplished woman, who has set an example for all says by way of advice to the disabled, "one should banish any notion that one is disabled and forge ahead with determination to accomplish something."


Only My Parents Care
- By Michael Bech


Pendo is seven years old. She is living in Mugumu, north of the Serengeti national park in Tanzania. Pendo was paralyzed from the hips and down when she had TB as a child. The disease was not treated properly and affected her spine badly.

“I am moving around on my walker (a wooden two-wheeled trolley) and I have to stay around the house all day. I am not able to go to school and my parents can’t afford education in other ways.”

“I think one of the biggest problems in Tanzania is that children are disabled just because they suffer from harmless diseases that are not properly treated. We are stuck in the village – nobody seems to care much about me – only my parents.”

“With the assistance of MS I am getting handles put up inside the hut and parallel bars set up along the fencing, so I can get around without help. That will ease my daily routines.”

(Michael Bech is Information Development Worker in MS Tanzania)