Deepa Malik

e Deepa Malik ( ) is no stranger in the field of disability sports. A paraplegic with a strong resolve, she has won numerous accolades for her participation in various adventure sports. Whether it is swimming against the strong Yamuna current, or riding a special bike or even taking a shot at the Paralympics, she has done it all! Last October, she became the first paraplegic to participate in the toughest car rally, the Raid-de-Himalaya. In a tell-it-all with D.N.I.S., Malik shares her experience with disability and what it took to take the long and arduous Himalayan road. National and international medals in swimming, shotput and javelin throw are just a few of the exhaustive list of activities that can be attributed to Deepa Malik. A promising athlete, she had participated in the formidable motor sport event the Raid De Himalaya in 2009 and was honoured with the True Grit Award for outstanding courage and also in the desert rally storm. Malik is not an ordinary person. She is a paraplegic, paralysed from waist down, but that has not stopped the 39-yearold from taking up challenges. The mother of two and wife of an Army officer, in fact, turned adversities into opportunity and success. Life took a twist when a spinal tumor made walking impossible 11 years ago. Recalls her daughter Devika, now 20, I was only eight then and my sister Ambika was three. My father Col Bikram Singh Malik was fighting the Kargil war and could meet us almost a year after the surgery. At home, Col Maliks wife was fighting a war of her own. The Army won the war and Deepa won her personal war. Despite three spinal tumour surgeries and 183 stitches between shoulder blades, she came out a winner and has never looked back. Dr V K Batish, the neurosurgeon who operated upon her at the Research and Referral Hospital of the armed forces at Delhi, is amazed by her progress. In the 25 years that Ive been a neurosurgeon, I have never come across a person like her. Deepas recovery and her subsequent achievements are amazing. Shes the kind who can teach doctors and the society at large, he smiles. Deepa also runs a successful restaurant by the name Dees Place in Ahmed Nagar, where the family is settled. Before her surgery, says Deepa, she was happy being a housewife. I was very busy wearing branded clothes, decorating the house, getting into the typical rat race. Disability gave me focus. I am now on a mission called Ability beyond Disability, she says matter-of-factly. Deepa says she wants to change the outlook of patients and the society alike towards paraplegia. The first thing paraplegics do is stay indoors. They must understand its all right to be paralysed. You are alive, so live your life to the fullest. I agree we have a bladder and bowel issue, but there are ways and means of managing it. The world is there for you, provided you are ready for the world, she says cheerfully. For a woman who featured in MTV Roadies, Deepa admits that she is a true roadie in mind and soul. My Raid de Himalaya experience: Deepa Malik I was not born with a disability. After 30 years of regular life, I became a wheelchair user due to three spinal surgeries for repeated tumors resulting into spinal cord damage and paraplegia. I could easily compare the two worlds, that of able bodied people and that of the physically challenged. I had the maturity to feel that a lot could be done in the field of disability in our country, starting from social outlook, acceptance of disabled, to their inclusion into the mainstream. I noticed that wheelchair users mostly remained at home. I felt a need to generate motivation among them, so that they live a more wholesome life. This inspired me, and I set out on a mission called ability beyond disability in my own little way. I had no clue what I had to do. But I felt that I had to contribute in some way or the other. Promoting

outdoor sports I felt was the best possible way. And then to my horror, I found out, that I was the first paraplegic woman to join the world of sports in the Indian scenario! Driving was another of my passion. So much so, that I often laugh that God probably misinterpreted my desire of being on wheels and therefore made me sit on a wheelchair! I had always wanted to rally but somehow, I was made to believe that my this desire would never be fulfilled in the present life because of my disability. That only strengthened my resolve and I decided that I must take part in the worlds highest and toughest car rally Raid-deHimalaya. Everyone thought I had lost it. With a spine that had been cut open thrice and a bladder and bowel condition, how was I going to manage a long, strenuous, high altitude journey, in minus temperatures? The only person who stood by me was my husband. He let me follow my dream, and told me that I would have to get there on my own effort. I started my homework. Being an army wife, my first try was with the army adventure cell. But I soon learnt that only serving army officers wives were allowed to participate. I kept struggling for three years until I landed at the flag off of the Desert Storm Rally in Delhi in February 2009. I literally sat there trying to pick up contacts and telling various teams about my wish of doing a rally. Some thought I was crazy, some felt happy about my courage but it was the Pune Millennium Team that took me seriously and taught me all the skills of navigation. Through them, I learnt what were the legalities required to be on a rally and that was going to be a challenge. I got in touch with Himalayan Motorsports Association (H.M.A.) and Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (F.M.S.C.I.) regarding my acceptance in the rally as a formal competitor. They needed a bit of time, as it was the first time a disabled person had approached them. But I was happy that they appreciated my love and enthusiasm for motor sports and felt positive. I just held my breath back till I saw a ray of hope when they agreed but I had to complete all the required paperwork. The most difficult task was to get the personal accident insurance on heavy risk basis. Next up was to start looking for sponsorship and a professional to accompany me and form a team. I am extremely grateful to Maruti Suzuki and three time Raid-de-Himalaya winner, Rakesh Diwan for supporting my endeavour. My husband, too, joined me as an attendant. After a long struggle for permissions, sponsorships, a rally vehicle, a professional team partner and procurement of snow clothing, I found myself in Shimla. Initially people thought I was there to cheer a friend but the moment I got my name stickers on the car and a competitors license and an identity card on my neck, everyone took me seriously. I was very happy to see the surprised look on everyones face! It was a moment of achievement, a sense of satisfaction to be able to turn a dream into a reality and to prove to the world that disability is a state of mind and not of the body. We were flagged off on the morning of October 7. It was a harsh 8 day, 1700 k.m. drive in minus degree temperatures. Even on an altitude of 18000 feet with oxygen shortage, I was able to sustain it all. It was tiring but the adrenaline rush was so high that I never felt tired. During the rally, we were in third position in the adventure category until an unfortunate accident happened. The car ahead of us braked suddenly and our car skidded and hit the snowy road. The radiator developed a crack and the rest of the journey was completed filling up water every few k.m.s. That made our journey even more challenging and longer in terms of time. But on the whole, the experience was amazing. And I was awarded the TRUE GRIT TROPHY for outstanding courage. More than the trophy, what made me happy was the declaration by H.M.A. official, Manjeev Bhalla that henceforth disabled persons will also be eligible to compete in the rally. I was thrilled that my efforts opened doors for people with disabilities to the world of motor sports. Sometimes we take it for granted that a particular thing or activity is not meant for disabled people. Society then reinforces that belief. It happened to me as well when I decided to go for motor biking. But once I was determined, I did not only get a special bike designed but also made it on record time. I feel that it is important for one to think beyond the stereotype and follow your heart.