Disabled is a word which people used when they saw me. But it is a term which I don’t associate myself with. I strongly believe disability is only in the mind and one has to overcome that to move ahead in life.

I was born with an impaired left leg. My parents tried to get it treated, but being poor and illiterate they knew little about medical facilities. Earlier on, doctors had suggested to my parents that I should undergo a corrective surgery. But my parents could not afford it and the people in my village discouraged my parents fearing that the surgery may not be successful. Although my parents regret the decision they made then, I have no grouse against them because throughout they have been my pillar of strength and support.
As a youngster I was always interested in sport, the weight of the dead leg was never a deterrent for me. I took part in sports alongside normal children and even played cricket. I was always fascinated by jumping and would jump around on one leg. In fact I would also tie strings to poles in school and jump over them. I would jump over anything I found, whether I saw a pile of sand or a block of stones I just tried jumping higher. The occasional jibes from people and the constant staring did little to discourage me; they only motivated me to aim higher.
I started winning medals at the school and taluka level. Given our family’s financial condition, the medals meant little because it did not fetch me money, but it gave me the boost I needed. Back then I did not even know that there were special meets for the disabled.
I began my career seriously in 2006 and winning a gold medal at the Kuwait International Open was the turning point in my career. But all along finances were a huge stumbling block. My family found it difficult to make ends meet and it was impossible for them to bear my expenses. I took up a job as a contract employee with a bank in Bengaluru. Although they were encouraging, their rules did not permit them to give me leave for tournaments. I had to quit and have remained jobless since then.
In 2010, I had no job, money or means to continue with sports and disgusted with the way athletes like me were treated, I quit and as a result even missed the Asian Games that year. Finding a job and helping my family financially was the only priority. Particularly because my family had taken huge loans to get my older sister married. When you’ve seen how much your family has given up just to put your needs ahead of theirs, you know when to put their requirements ahead of your own. And that’s what I did.
Late last year Paralympics officials approached me and promised me support and I got back on field. When I got back I knew the only way I could sustain is to achieve something big so that people won’t ignore me anymore. It wasn’t just about competing anymore; it was about using this platform to get noticed and do everything possible to not come back empty-handed.
My medal at the Games was no flash in the pan. It was a culmination of eight years of hard work, pain and sacrifice. There was a misconception about me using a chappal on my left leg and competing barefoot. It wasn’t that I could not afford spikes. Wearing spikes may have been the norm for para athletes and I couldn’t get myself to. Having tried them before I’m not comfortable wearing them. So I cut out a chappal and shaped it to fit me perfectly. If anything, I customised my footwear without any additions to suit my comfort.
All through I have drawn a lot of inspiration from two sportspersons — Sachin Tendulkar and Sushil Kumar. Having won medals in two consecutive Olympics, Sushil is a role model and an inspiration for me and I’m glad I got to meet him in New Delhi after he came back from London. No other Indian has managed to follow up one Olympian glory with another.
As for Tendulkar, I grew up watching him. All my life I’ve watched Tendulkar play, focus on his cricket and conduct a life that is worth emulating. He is a genius and yet he is incredibly humble. He has tasted tremendous success but not once have we heard of the fame going to his head. He is still the same simple boy, playing with the same passion for his country more than 20 years after he made his debut. To me he’s next to God and I hope some day I get to meet him and tell him how he has inspired me to win laurels for my country.
Looking ahead I feel my best is yet to come and a gold awaits me at the 2016 Rio Games. Before that I want to get home, spend time with my family and celebrate my medal with them.
With my success in London, I want to create more awareness about athletes like me. What people have to realise is that we do not crave for sympathy, what we want is encouragement. We too put in the same amount of effort, if not more, than other athletes. I hope my medal will bring a change in the way para athletes are treated. I dedicate this medal to the disabled community in India. I hope that this will inspire them to become sportspersons.
With the cash awards that I have got my family’s financial burden will surely reduce and I’m glad that finally, after all these years, I’m able to chip in.