Respect

When I thought of writing this blog post, I was fuming with rage. Why can’t the university do something instead of saying they’re looking into it? Why give me admission if they can’t even make sure I reach my classroom, forget about reaching it with dignity? Four years of being here and I’m back to square one. No ground floor classes available in my department; the accessible building opposite us refusing to give us classrooms except for conducting exams; the plan to build a lift in our building left abandoned; the idea of a new, accessible building for our department, a faraway dream. I’m tired, disappointed, angry, helpless, sleepless. But before we get into that, let me tell you what the university has done for me - let it never be said that Garima Vyas was an ungrateful a**.

They’ve given me permission to attend classes online when the classes are held upstairs. They’ve made sure to find me a table where my wheelchair can fit during exam time. They restricted the bathroom for me to use because I’m at a high risk of catching all sorts of infections, from everywhere. They’ve made sure I get my extra time during exams. They’ve tried to exchange classrooms with other batches whenever possible. I’ve met some amazing, heartwarming human beings here (and dogs, let’s be honest), and I’m doing an internship which challenges me to the exact level I wish to be challenged.

But…when you talk about inclusion, accessibility to be more specific, it has been a nightmare. A nightmare I hope will at least dampen by the time I leave this place. When you take away someone’s means to get what you promised to give them, you are insulting their sheer existence. Sure, I can compromise and get lifted by people up and down the stairs, or I can keep attending classes online like I am right now. Both these options send the same message - you have power over me, and my problems aren’t big enough to stand up in front of your power. Which, to be honest, is completely opposite to the truth.

The authorities do have power over me, I realise and acknowledge that. But I refuse to be treated like a sack of potatoes any longer. I refuse to be lifted up and down the stairs like I used to. I refuse to be kicked around with “I can’t do anything about it, go talk to X” thrown at my face all the time. I refuse to be denied my basic, legal right as a human being - that of living with dignity and respect. Sure, I sit in a wheelchair and can’t reach most places without any help, but I’m still worthy of more respect than just a label of “strong and inspirational” without anyone making visible efforts to make it easier for me (and others like me) to navigate the world on my own. Yes, it has become a matter of self-respect and, to some extent, even ego. But in my place, is it even wrong?