In 2018, I traveled to India to volunteer for two weeks, assisting in physiotherapy, teaching English, and helping children with their motor and cognitive skills. This humbling experience at Amar Seva Sangam changed the way I look at the lives of myself and the differently abled.

One of the most profound experiences I had was when I saw a girl with a limp pushing a young boy’s wheelchair, using the wheelchair as support. In this simple action, I saw a symbiotic relationship, where both parties benefited from a mutual action. Across the campus, I saw people talking and laughing, having a good time. By removing any stigma, they fostered positivity and hope.

The people I met there were hard to leave behind when I finished my volunteering. The support I received from everyone involved, right from arranging my accommodation to planning everyday activities was commendable. The patients I spoke to were genuinely happy to receive help and were open when talking to me. The kids I taught were all curious and it was a joy to teach and play with them. The time I spent at the organization and the people I met exposed me to different perspectives on life and showed me that these differently abled people could make the best of their lives with just a little help from others, and each other.