The Disney Way for an Inclusive Society

The Disney park is truly a ‘dream’ world – especially in India. The experience of each and every guest at any of the Disney Parks of the world is one of joy and happiness. The infrastructure and the trained hosts make everyone feel wholesome and wanted; be it a toddler, an adult, a senior citizen, an obese person or a guest with disability on a wheelchair. Each and every show, ride and facilities like a store or restaurant is wheelchair friendly, enabling inclusion in its true sense.



Cut to India. Schools, parks, gardens, bazzars, colleges, banks, post offices, railways stations, transportation systems, roads, footpaths, places of worship, corporate offices and complexes, theaters, courts, government offices…none of them are disabled friendly. Not even 1% of our nation is wheelchair accessible; depricing over 700 million people with disability the dignity of independence. To reverse and set this right are the voices of only the people with disabilities and their family members. Our constitution grants every citizen Equality for over 52 years now. This is as unequal as it can get. The built environment and infrastructure plays a very crucial role to grant this equality.



Insaniyat (hindi) – Humanity, humanness is what it takes to include this huge invisible population. A Stephen Hawking got the opportunity in his country and thus was able to come up with the Theory of Black Holes, which none able bodied people could do. A quadriplegic in Canada holds a ministerial post in the House of Commons. A Oscar Pictorius can compete in the Olympics with artificial legs due to the positive attitude in his home nation.



Having tasted the joy of the Disney Park personally, I believe it is still possible. If they can do it all over the world, surely this is not something which we cannot replicate? Imagine the high self esteem of our people with disabilities given an infrastructure and positive behaviour of people managing these places can create. More nobel laureates, more Olympians and more patriots. Its strongly recommended that every urban planner, architect, interior designer, corporate decision maker to take a break and visit a Disney park on their next trip abroad. One needs to have such an attitude towards its citizenry to transform to a truly inclusive society. We can then proudly say in unison “ India is indeed a global superpower!”



Dr Ketna L Mehta

(Author can be reached at ketnam@gmail.com)

Wake Up Call : Feb 2010 issue Guest Editorial

Wake Up Call


The recovery of any person with spinal injury is dependent on multiple factors.

· The belief that he/she is getting better,

· a good motivator,

· positive cheerful thoughts,

· coupled with proper scientific therapy with persistence of exercise programme over a long duration, will all add up to give improvement.

· Add to this over time, the natural course of recovery ie end of spinal shock or decrease in spasms/ pain due to change in neuronal paths, or healing of osteoporotic fractures [ yes fractures do heal very well even in paraplegics, if re trauma is avoided].
It should be remembered that majority of persons with spinal cord injury are initially not fortunate to be on the path of improvement but retrogress and deteriorate for a multitude of reasons, chief one being lack of even basic rehab, guidance and facilities. Even getting back on the naturally achievable recovery road, is then interpreted as great triumph.

If , after all the effort, an SCI patient feels better, and feels that he has recovered well, what more can be 'success'? Its a very relative term, and each individual has to judge his own 'success'. many a times, its just the change in attitude that's needed, to interpret 'success', and faith (this may be in a therapy / a person/ God )
As long as people do not start selling 'miracle cures' with mumbojumbo, and fleece the vulnerable, any good act leading to good motivation towards recovery is welcome.
As a bottomline, we would still stand by good scientific physiotherapy and rehab. given right from the very beginning, so that the patient does not go downhill at all, and reach the best possible capability level.

We at Nina Foundation, see many successfully rehabilitated SCI patients amongst us acheiving great heights in their fields and they have done so not because of some 'stem cell therapy' or ' holy miracles' or ' some blessed healing touch ! By focusing our mind and physical energy to get the best out of us, we have done it!

In UK and USA, there is scrutiny of every therapy, and any kind of false promises / false hopes given to patients would lead to legal prosecution and hefty compensation claims. Therefore 'no one sells miracle stuff' there. A person with spinal injury going through basic care and rehab package in Stoke Mandeville hospital, emerges far far more stronger , without the need for any miracles and stem cells. In Mumbai and several places in India, all we need is a centre practicing the basic fundamental principles of rehab!!...and that's what Nina foundation is striving for!



Dr Riten R Pradhan, Nina Foundation.
Trustee, M.S Orth. FRCS(Ed), FRCS Tr. & Orthl, Orthopedics surgeon, UK.

One world - Feb'10

Dear Friends,

A warm hello to all.

Please find attached the soft copy of our latest NINA FOUNDATION publication ONE WORLD VOICE OF PARAPLEGICS. You can click at the image and read it. Please read the guest editorial on page 1 by Dr. Riten Pradhan (UK) trustee, NF.

We look forward to your comments.

Also mark 25th June 2010 in your calendars to attend the 2nd SPINAL INJURY AWARENESS DAY in Mumbai.

Thanks and regards

Dr Ketna Mehta