From Patient to Advocate
“Every disabled person can do anything, just need education and encouragement!”
Interview with Binita Khadka Shrestha, who was two years old when she contracted poliomyelitis (polio).
Can you describe your initial journey to HRDC?
In the beginning, I had a high fever and gradually I was unable to walk. My parents took me to various hospitals in India, but nothing helped. Eventually, I wasn’t able to use my left leg and had to use a stick to get around. My parents went through many hardships. The community shunned us and since I’m a girl, my future looked very dark. In Nepal, girls already face discrimination and a disabled girl will not be protected later in life.
I spent my early childhood isolated and worried about what would happen to me. When I was 10, my parents heard about a mobile medical camp coming to my village. The HRDC doctors examined me and recommended I go to the hospital for treatment. HRDC is where I learned that every dark cloud has a silver lining. If I didn’t get a chance for treatment, my life would be limited to my home surrounding. I would have been deprived of education and marriage and every happiness would be lost from my life. Once I arrived at HRDC I found such a loving and caring environment. All of the children were respected, and I was able to go to school.
Binita, now happily married with a son, gives back both to children and the hospital who helped her overcome her disability.
How did you eventually come to work at HRDC?
Many people with disabilities in Nepal have an extremely difficult time with everyday survival, let alone being able to work, and finding personal fulfillment. I’m lucky. Not only did I receive treatment that allowed me to live as a normal child, but I also married and have a son. I also completed a Bachelor of Education degree in Health and a Master’s Degree in Sociology. I always wanted to work at HRDC and won a competition 14 years ago to become a Social Mobilizer. That was just the beginning. I’ve held many positions at HRDC, working with an organization I love.
What inspires you at work?
My family and HRDC have been my rock throughout this journey and this empowered me to become the confident person I am today. As a person with a disability, I want to give back, both to children and the organization that helped me. I feel that no child should be deprived of their basic rights, and this pushed me to become the voice of children with disabilities – we are all so vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. I love my job as HRDC’s Child Protection and Information Officer because I help safeguard children from any possible harm. And, I’m one of 28 staff with a disability at HRDC! Working alongside my colleagues enabling children on their journey to a full and productive life inspires me every day.
Dr. Bibek Banskota, Binita, and her husband who also works at HRDC.