'MY WHEELCHAIR IS NOT JUST A CHAIR, IT’S MY WE-CHAIR. IT HAS GIVEN ME EVERYTHING—STRENGTH, MOBILITY, IDENTITY, AND ACHIEVEMENTS'

Indian para-athlete Deepa Malik, in a conversation with ‘The Daily Guardian, shares her journey of resilience, empowerment, and redefining disability.

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Q: You turned your wheelchair into a chariot of victory. Was there a moment when you decided that disability would not define you?

A: I lovingly call my wheelchair, wheelchair. It did not really happen instantly, but acceptance was the key. I realized that if people use spectacles for weak eyes, my wheelchair is just another assistive aid for my weak legs. That acceptance helped me celebrate the chair rather than feel awkward sitting on it, because it gave me mobility, accessibility, and social integration. It allowed me to attend my children’s parent-teacher meetings, go to markets, and attend dinners. I understood that this chair was a medium of access, not of awkwardness or guilt. I felt gratitude for it, because it allowed me to live fully despite not being able to walk.

Q: When you look at your Paralympic medal today, do you see it as a reward, a responsibility, or a reminder of unfinished battles?

A: I see it as a responsibility. It was not easy being the first-ever Indian woman across any sport to win it. Winning the medal was a paradox moment—on one side, I created history, but on the other, I questioned why it took independent India more than 70 years to produce a woman’s Paralympic medal. That moment gave me responsibility and pushed me into leadership roles. I became President of the Paralympic Committee of India and worked to erase the struggles I faced. During my tenure, India’s women participation in parasports grew almost 300%, and one medal turned into 14 more. Today, I continue that responsibility as the first Indian para-athlete to serve on an international Paralympic board.

Q: Did you ever feel the medal overshadowed your identity as a mother, a woman, and a leader?