Name: Vijaya Lakshmi; Age: 47

Disability: Locomotor (both lower limbs affected)

Village: Kalavara, Muddenahalli Grama Panchayath, Chickkaballapura District

Vijayalakshmi is a 47-year-oldwoman with locomotor disability. She is unmarried and lives with her parents. Her younger brother works in a company nearby. At the age of 8, Vijayalaksmi suffered high fever (Polio) post which both her lower limbs were disabled and she wasunable to walk.

Vijayalakshmi is very driven; she powered through and completed her schooling till class 10. She stayed in a hostel in Chickkaballapura. Her parents being busy with farming did not really expect anything much from her. But on her own Vijayalakshmi always wanted to help her family and dreamed of starting a petty shop tosupport the family income.

Interactions with the ADD India staff and the DPO in her village helped her gain confidence and served as a platform for her to present her wish to start a petty shop. The DPO decided to include her need in their application for the GP fundsthrough a letter and the ADD India staff helped with the process.

She finally received Rs. 8,000/- from the GP and with her own personal investment of Rs. 5,000/- started a petty shop near the main road of the village. Presently, she managesan average sale of Rs. 1,200 to 1,500/day, and earns Rs. 200 to 300/day. This has empowered Vijayalakshmi to support her family, live independently on her terms and is also free to spend her own money for her needs, eliminating any dependency on family members.

While this might be a small amount for most people in an urban setup, these funds have provided Vijayalakshmi with ‘freedom’ and ‘hope’ for the future. She can now envision her own life and make the best of what life has in store for her – on her own terms!

In the future, she aspires to improve her little ‘dream shop,’ so that she can earn more. She has started saving in the bank to make this happen. We wish her more success and we are sure that with her drive and passion she will soar new heights.

Vijayalakshmi’s story is a testimony to how with some support on the ground, persons with disability can lead a dignified life on their terms and be contributing members to their community.