I Rise 2021

By Dr. Armoogum Parsuramen

GRF is a humanitarian service-oriented organization whose pillars stand in love, compassion, understanding, tolerance and selfless service to humanity in its advocacy for the inclusive approaches of Persons with Disabilities. It militates for the human rights and inclusion of the PWDs.

I Rise captures the essence of Global Rainbow Foundation in its tireless, humane and humble march towards inclusivity of the Persons with Disabilities. In this life book, the narrators express their challenges with mixed emotions. They inspire in how their disabilities turned into blessings. They, not only overcome their limitations, rather defy and turn them into their strengths.

Each story is unique in its context to overcome particular disabilities. The compilation is the voice of Persons with Disabilities who are now equipped to face life and their challenges Each narrator is a winner and defeats his and her disabilities.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pustaka Digital Media
• Release date: Feb 11, 2023
• ISBN: 6580561609525

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I Rise 2021

Author:

Dr. Armoogum Parsuramen

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Table of Contents

Foreword

Introduction

ABDOOL CASSAM - Amputate- Life Goes On After

RISHI - Late Blind - An Ex teacher and MBA Holder

VIVI - Late Blind - A Sound Healer’s legacy

DANNY - Holy Bible quote

NISHTHA

JAMES - Hearing Impaired

NAIB

PEROUMAD - Bilateral Optic

WAREN

ADRIEN - Paraplegic

BINDYA - Physical disability- Spinal Cord Injury following an accident

DANIELLE - Muscular Dystrophy

SANDANA - Congenital Deformity in her right leg

ELIAM and SERAYA - (Rocked by the unbeatable faith of their parents)

KALYANI - Stroke with left hemiparesis

JULIEN - Paraplegic

LUAN - Visually impaired, but talented to the core of her being.

It is just the beginning

NATACHA - Cerebral Palsy

NOEMI - Born with missing fingers in the right hand and left leg malformation

PRISCILLA - Osteoarthritis, paraplegia and sciatic - Zest for life despite everything

YOVAN AND DEEPASHIKA - Siblings like no other

I was slightly brain damaged at birth,

and I want people like me to see

that they shouldn’t let a disability get in the way.

I want to raise awareness

– I want to turn my disability into ability.

Susan Boyle

Life Is – An inspirational Poem by Mother Teresa

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.

Life is beauty, admire it.

Life is bliss, taste it.

Life is a dream, realize it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.

Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

Life is a promise, fulfill it.

Life is sorrow, overcome it.

Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.

Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is life, fight for it.

Foreword

Do not let the best of what you have done so far be the standard for the rest of your life

Having been associated with Dr. Armoogum Parsuramen and Global Rainbow Foundation (GRF) around the project of Linite, a patriotic song written and sang by myself together with 8 other artists, I decided to bring my contribution to this foundation at another level as I have been impressed by their dedication and commitment towards their unflinching struggle to make the lives of people with various disabilities a much better one.

Initially being attributed the task of editing the transcript interviews (English version) of a few articles depicting the stories of some persons with disabilities, I was finally being assigned as the main responsible for the overall coordination of the I Rise 2021 edition and represented GRF towards other stakeholders for the completion of the whole project. I have never imagined being the editor of a book of this importance where 21 wonderful human beings would relate the stories of their life and their struggles to be accepted by others with due respect that each one of them deserves.

The task was even more challenging when it was brought to my knowledge that this second edition will also mark the 10th Anniversary of the Global Rainbow Foundation.

So the adventure began in late July/ early August 2021, some already done interviews were reworked, new ones were carried out, a project schedule plan was established and the main stakeholders were identified. Dr Parsuramen delegated Pooja Sookun staff of GRF to assist me in this challenging task and she gave the best of herself. On my side I contacted my friend Rajenee Panchoo who graciously offered her services as a professional photographer to meet the quality level of this new I Rise edition.

A Gantt chart was established for planning, where all elements were noted so as to be able to respect the deadline of 11.11.2021, exact date of the 10th anniversary of GRF for the official launching of I Rise 2021 version. However, we ensured that the crucial date of 4th October be scrupulously respected towards our Publisher ATOBA which graciously offers their services to GRF.

Following the suggestion of Dr. Parsuramen, we decided for this present edition to interview 21 people whom I will henceforth label them as Capable Differently.

One won’t imagine how people whom the society most of the time qualify as disabled can be so amazing in terms of creativity, talents and intelligence but above all regarding their positive attitude.

Each story of all the 21 interviewees is unique in itself, coupled with a rich lesson of fighting spirit and positivity for every single reader of I Rise 2021, especially whenever we feel down or upset about our own life.

Pooja and myself under the guidance of Mr. Parsuramen ensured that we keep a right balance of every article in terms of the spirit and message of every single interviewee.

This experience with GRF for I Rise 2021 was just fabulous where occasionally I found myself as interviewer, writer, editor, translator or even assistant photographer. But most important will be what I have personally retained as lesson for my remaining days on earth Rama, please stop complaining about your situation because those people with disabilities are enjoying life at its fullest despite their conditions.

I wish you a most pleasant reading of this present I Rise edition 2021 and also humbly request you to encourage your friends and relatives to obtain a copy.

RAMA ERSAPAH

Lecturer in Marketing & Management

(Artist, Writer, Copyeditor & Social worker)

Acknowledgements

Life at the Global Rainbow Foundation is constantly an inspiring, challenging and yet accomplished piece of journey that every of its collaborators and supporters experience. Their never-ending support, presence, precious time and social commitment has been the driving spirit towards the completion of this life booklet. It is with great honor and respect that our gratitude is being sent to these selfless minds.

The GRF family conveys its warmest thanks to respected Mr Florent Beusse, CEO Atoba and Team with special mention to Miss Linda Leow, their senior graphic designer. She and Florent were great artisans behind the concretisation of I Rise thanked to their endeavors.

We are indebted to the Photographers; Mr Dylan Caulleechurn, Mr Nitesh, Mr Afzal Emamdee, Mr Prithvi Bissessur, Ms Aisha Kala and Ms Rajenee Panchoo. We deeply appreciate all your work. Your expertise and skills were so evident, and you accomplished our requests perfectly. Thank you all for the hard work you did for us.

GRF extends its gratitude to Regent Press for the printing of I Rise. We really appreciate your amazing expertise.

We express our deepest thanks to Mr Rama Ersapah, Editor, for your time and patience in revising and reshaping the text. Your contribution is invaluable. A special thanks to Ms. Natacha Hippolyte and Ms Manissa Soobrayen for their assistance.

We would like to express special thanks to Mrs Pooja H Sookun, GRF Project Officer for Resource Mobilisation for her excellent coordination with our narrators, photographers, sponsors and our Graphic designer to ensure that I Rise is completed on time. She dedicated herself to the task with commitment and enthusiasm.

We extend our appreciation to the interviewers; Ms Zoya Janabadi, Mrs Pooja H Sookun, Ms Keshinee Boodhoo, Ms Anjali Ramdhonee, Mr Rama Ersapah, Mrs Anoushka Plassan Randriantsalama, Ms Mandira Dawosing, Ms Aisha Kala, Mr Anjinsen Valamootoo, Ms Delphine Dhookit, Mr Yaaseen Edoo, Mrs Nithya Rajsundar and Mrs Annick Patche for the collection of stories from the beneficiaries. Your insights are valuable.

GRF’s journey towards the completion of I Rise would not have been possible without the support of its sponsors. The fruitful association of