Summary
Contents
Awards:
President of India's Award
One Little Finger is the autobiography of Malini Chiba—woman who defied all odds to emerge victorious in spite of a crippling disability and an indifferent society; who dragged herself out of the limits of her condition. This is the story of Malini's search for independence and identity, and her zeal to live a full, meaningful life despite lifelong disability.
Malini has Cerebral Palsy, a neurological condition similar to adult stroke, which makes body movement and speech extremely difficult. However, the cognitive functions of brain can often remain unimpaired, as in the case of Malini. She recounts her experiences from childhood to adulthood, her struggles with motor skills and speech, managing day-to-day activities, and the apathy and indifference of people towards her and others who are disabled. She educates herself, learns to type with her little finger and speak through the Lightwriter. Finally, she works through unfavorable social systems and attitudes to get a career as an event manager.
As life becomes a tear and a smile for her, Malini tells us the story of her heroic battle against adversity, prejudice, stigmas, stereotypes, of her will to succeed and her search for an identity in a contrary world. And in the process of self-realization, she becomes a beacon of hope for everyone.
Proving the Doctors Wrong
Proving the Doctors Wrong
The month was July, the year 1966. The place—Woodlands Nursing Home, Calcutta. Looking back, I realize that at the time of my birth, knowledge about disability was rare. I was told that my mother was in labour for a lengthy 40-hour period. During the process, the umbilical cord got stuck around my neck, resulting in a lack of oxygen to my brain and a few seconds of that (known by the medical term of anoxia) eventuated in giving me a lifetime of a severe disabling condition (condition not disease!) called Cerebral Palsy. The birth was hugely traumatic, and the pediatrician in charge kept repeating to himself ‘it was a mistake I should have carried out a caesarean… lets ...