Padma Stanzin, a physically disabled child was born on 1st January 1990 in Shara village. He studied in Government school Chuchot Yokma and passed his matriculation exam this year. Presently he is studying in Boys Higher secondary school Leh and has taken Arts stream as his subject of study. Disability and prejudice haven’t stopped Padma from continuing his studies or being an inspiration to others. He’s a motivational speaker. Presently, he lives near Boys Higher secondary School with her sister. Padma describes himself as versatile— and sounds incredibly confident given his challenges.

We chatted with Padma about what life is like through his eyes: What it’s like to be a “differently Abled” with disadvantages, how he interacts with people, what issues in the society are important to him. Padma Stanzin has always had a great love for adventure. He knows his boundaries but doesn’t let it stop him from being who he is. Recently, Reach Ladakh was able to interview him on his experiences that encourage others.

Q. Tell us something about your childhood memories?

I never used to go to school because there were no facilities for the disabled. When I was 14, a group of people from an organization called Namgyal Institute for people with disabilities came to meet me. They asked me if I wanted to study and I said yes. They gave me admission at inclusive hostel Chuchot Yokma where I studied till I finished my secondary schooling.

Q. What are your hobbies?

My hobbies are singing, painting, reading story books, watching TV and listening to Ladakhi music. I would take part in Art and cultural activities at school.

Q. What kind of problems do you usually face in your daily life?

There was a time when I get depressed and cry at myself and my sister would console me. I was young and big and my parents couldn’t carry me on their backs. So, I would stay at home all day with nowhere to go. When I joined the school, people there would help me a lot. My friends and teachers would care me like my own siblings and my parents did. They would never make me feel like a disabled.

Q. Have you faced any prejudice in society for being disabled? Any awkward moment you want to share.

No, I never had faced any discrimination.

Q.  What do you think about how society behaves to disabled persons? Do they get equal treatment in society?

I think society’s attitude towards disabled is changing and disabled people are increasingly claiming their rightful place in it.

Q.Do you think there should be a special school and college for disabled children?

Disabled pupils need special facilities and to create such facilities in every school might not be possible. But it is also true that segregated education perpetuates stereotypes, disempowers disabled people and keeps them at the margins of society. This deprives them of the opportunity to grow up, learn and develop with their peers.

Q. Is there any private or government organization that provides scholarship or financial support to disabled children?

Yes, we do get a scholarship but I have no idea where it comes from.

Q. Is there any job opportunity for special children after their studies?

I have no idea about it.  

Q. How your disability does hinder your ability to perform well in life?

My disability doesn’t hinder me from performing well in life but does hinder in performing day-to-day activities. I am not able to go to gatherings or any other festivities like my friends. I always need the support of my family members that sometimes becomes very difficult for me.

Q.  Do you think you will be able to continue with your studies? What is your aim in life?

I may be able to continue my studies but lack of facilities is the problem. I wanted to become a religious leader and that didn’t happen. Now I have decided to run an organization for people with disabilities after completing my higher secondary education.

Q.  You seem to have done a lot of activities, but what is your favorite activity? Please explain. What haven’t you tried yet but would like to?

I like singing. In fact, I have composed a Ladakhi song and thought of giving it for an audio recording. I am very much interested in theatre but I haven’t tried at it yet. I even thought of meeting with Mipham Otsal, the director of Ladakh art and theatre organization.

Message for the readers

"I would request the government to provide equal educational, job opportunities and better infrastructure for disabled people and I want all my differently abled friends to study hard and explore their hidden talents. I believe that God has given each and every human the potential of fulfilling their dreams, the only need is to identify that dream and work towards making it fulfilled.