WILL YOU SUPPORT MY PLEDGE TO RAISE RUPEES FIVE LAKHS FOR THE CAUSE OF

1. WILL YOU SUPPORT MY PLEDGE TO RAISE RUPEES FIVE LAKHS FOR THE CAUSE OF THE ASSOCIATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY, BANGALORE THROUGH MY PARTICIPATION IN THE WHEELCHAIR EVENT OF THE MUMBAI MARATHON ON 16TH JANUARY 2011?

2. MUMBAI MARATHON, HERE I COME – ‘RUNNING’ IN A WHEELCHAIR! By Jacqueline Colaco The excitement about the forthcoming Mumbai marathon on 16th January 2011 at Azad Maidan, CST, is building up, and I don’t want to be left out - even though I can only limp around now on my arthritic legs. So here am I, enrolled as one of the senior most participants in the wheel chair event, in my fourth marathon and my first ever in Mumbai. I had my first experience of this kind of event at Bangalore in 2008 and have regularly participated since, when I had to be up and ready for our race which started at 7 a.m. We were about two dozen under the banner of The Association of People With Disability, lined up in our wheel chairs for the 4 k.m. race starting from Kanteerava Stadium. We were ‘wheeling’ for APD’s cause – one of the beneficiary organisations of the charity event. -contd.-

3. MUMBAI MARATHON, HERE I COME – ‘RUNNING’ IN A WHEELCHAIR! Some of us were self propelled, others like me had a pusher. I had run many a race at this venue during my student days, never dreaming I’d be back forty odd years later in a run of a ‘different’ kind ‘ and FOR A CAUSE!. I was here not only to raise pledges, but also to make a statement that disability need not stop you from ‘running’ to achieve your purpose in life. Well back to the race. My enthusiastic young volunteer pusher (escort) and I were all set to go! And when we did, both of us realized what novices we were at the game… While our co-participants zoomed away, we went zig-zagging all over the place. My encounters with wheelchairs thus far had been limited to post operative trips down smooth hospital corridors, gently manoueverd by expert attenders. My pusher was probably a first timer too, and therefore for me and for him, this ‘hard to control’ adventure began fairly traumatically. I had no intention of going flying out of the wheel chair (no seat belt here) through an accidental bump into a sidewalk. It was initially difficult though to convince my companion that I was not here to win the race, but only to show my spirit for the game. My message did get through in a short while thank goodness, and thereafter the ride was slow, smooth and enjoyable. We had the road to ourselves as we wheeled along some decent ones, both these experiences rare in today’s Bangalore. -contd.-

4. MUMBAI MARATHON, HERE I COME – ‘RUNNING’ IN A WHEELCHAIR! The early morning walkers cheered us along our way, as I distributed to them my poem ‘Beatitudes of the Disabled’. I also gave my message to TV crews about the need for more awareness among our people that the disabled can be more productive in society’s mainstream. This can be made possible, I told them, if basic and better facilities of infrastructure like ramp access to buildings and disabled friendly roads and transport are provided. My message was well received and I hope is bearing some fruit. After the event, with much gratitude to my by now panting pusher, I came away a tired but happy ‘last to finish’, having fulfilled my mission of spreading the vision of this wonderful organization The Association of People With Disability, located at 6th Cross Hutchins Road, Lingarapuram, Bangalore. As I head to Mumbai for the marathon, I have the honour of my eldest sister’s grandson Nishadh Rego being my escort, and Muriel and Arthur’s family as part of APD’s local support team there. Check the APD website: www.apd-india.org and you will feel impelled to support this organization as I am. And then, make your pledge to contribute to its various activities by cheque issued in favour of THE ASSOCIATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY, BANGALORE or through the online payment channel as below:

6. BEATITUDES OF THE DISABLED Blessed are they who don’t shun me Just because I have a disability Blessed are they whose concern for me Goes beyond pity and charity Blessed are they who make me feel That I should be given an equal deal Blessed are they who think I should be Given a chance to develop the skills in me Blessed are they who encourage me To overcome the embarrassment of disability Blessed are they who don’t hide me away Just because I am different from they Blessed are they who because I am blind Don’t also think I have no mind Blessed are they who do not balk When I dribble all over or struggle to talk Blessed are they who are patient and kind Knowing it takes time to work things in my mind Blessed are they who looked away When I was clumsy at mealtime today Blessed are they who put themselves out To include me too in what they’re about Blessed are they who give me way (in a queue) Knowing I can’t stand as long as they Blessed are they with a cheery smile Who stopped to chat for a little while Blessed are they who see in me A person of WORTH & ABILITY (adapted from Beatitudes of the Aged) – By JACQUELINE COLACO email:jaclyncol@gmail.com FOUNDER AND HON. MANAGING TRUSTEE - ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION (INDIA) HON. MEMBER – ACTION ON DISABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT (INDIA) HON. TRUSTEE AND TREASURER, THE ASSOCIATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY “THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR”