Thorny Life

By Gurinder Abrol

I am a disabled Asian woman living in England. There are still a lot of prejudices towards disabled people especially among the Asian community to this very day. They think disability is a disease which they can catch. Asian people look at you, think you have no brains and feel pity for you. They also feel sorry for you. But, I am human like anybody else.
This is my story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Apr 11, 2013
• ISBN: 9781481784313

Gurinder Abrol

I was born on 9th June 1964 at Dudley Road Hospital to Sudarshan Kaur Abrol and Avtar Singh Abrol. I was a beautiful baby. At the age of fifteen months I was struck down by cerebral palsy. This left me partially paralysed down my left side. I have no use of my left arm and I walk with a limp. This has not deprived me of anything in life because I have achieved a great deal. Firstly I attended a special school, getting nowhere, then going to a private school where I achieved my O’Levels and became independent, doing things for myself. Afterwards, I went to a local college where I got my A ‘Levels. I learned to drive which increased my independence tremendously. Getting married and moving away to live in Germany for three years meant I had to adapt to a new life style but circumstances caused me to move back to England where I gave birth to my son. My husband joined us and we bought a restaurant in Worcester. After three months of getting the restaurant, he walked out of our lives. For him, it was just a marriage of convenience. After a great struggle, I decided to sell the restaurant and moved back to Birmingham. My son went to the local school while I went back to college and completed a degree in Media Studies at Birmingham University. At present, I am working with South and City College Birmingham as a Learning Resources Facilitator.

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Thorny Life

Gurinder Abrol

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© 2013 Gurinder Abrol. All Rights Reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 04/05/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4817-8430-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-8431-3 (e)

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To my Mum,

Sudarshan,

My rock all my life even to this day.

I am a disabled Asian woman living in England. There are still a lot of prejudices towards disabled people especially among the Asian community to this very day. They think disability is a disease which they can catch. Asian people look at you, think you have no brains and feel piety for you. They also feel sorry for you. But, I am human like anybody less.

This is my story.

Content

Introduction

Chapter 1—Childhood

Chapter 2—School Days

Chapter 3—Childhood Christmas

Chapter 4—Getting Married

Chapter 5—Christmas 1989

Chapter 6—My Interests/Hobbies

Chapter 7—My Mum

Chapter 8—My Friend, Anil

Chapter 9—Memories of my Dad

Chapter 10—Final Word

Introduction

I am strong—willed and determined in whatever I do in my life. I have achieved a great deal, in spite of being disabled most of my life. I am independent and do things to the best of my ability. I have at times asked for help if needed. I have learnt to look after myself. I learnt how to drive at the age of eighteen which took me longer to learn than others, but I passed first time. I drive an adapted car, which is automatic and has a few adjustments. I travel around easily. On the 2nd March 1990 I gave birth to my son, which was a great joy for me and my family. I have brought him up single handed by myself but with the support of my Mum. I was determined