Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Get-hooked
  • Salesh Dipak’s determination & courage hold lessons for all of us

Salesh Dipak’s determination & courage hold lessons for all of us

Get-hooked December 20, 2018
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

As a society, we have a long way to go when it comes to being inclusive. People with disabilities struggle to access basic rights to education and employment. While the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 states that discrimination against disabled people is a criminal offence, does society really abide by that?

Salesh Dipak, who has cerebral palsy struggled right through to complete his education and land a good job with a media company in Chennai. He works as Sub Editor at Awesome Machi, a media company. His journey is an inspiration to us all.

The struggles

Salesh was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth. Doctors said he would be unable to lead a normal life. While CP may have affected his mobility, Salesh’s spirits remain high. He used crutches until the age of six and after that he started learning to walk independently. With support from his parents, he started walking soon.

Salesh’s biggest strengths are his parents. They never gave up on him and were determined he gets nothing less than the best. He was enrolled in a mainstream school but it was tough going as he faced discrimination and isolation.

When I was a child, I could not go to play like other children. So I used to stay back at home. My parents introduced me to a lot of books. In spite of doctors giving up on me, my parents believed that I could do something and achieve a lot in life. My main difficulty was getting along with others. For other children, I was always considered to be someone different. As a child, it used to affect me a lot. I used to feel bad. Kids used to look at me in an odd way, which many people do even now. But I have gotten used to it. I spent my childhood in isolation, both at school and college – Salesh Dipak, Journalist

Salesh points out that lack of awareness about disabilities in society is the biggest barrier. In spite of stringent laws against discrimination, society is not willing to treat disabled people with dignity and honour. He completed his graduation and MBA from a reputed colleges in Tamil Nadu but had many odds to beat before he found a job.

“I have been working for the past 10 years. It is very hard for a disabled person to get a job in a company. Most of them hire because they have a policy of employing disabled people and not because they really believe in empowerment of the community. I left my job at my previous company because I faced clear discrimination. They refused to give me a promotion even after working there for five years. When I asked, they said that they were unsure whether I can do well professionally because I’am a disabled person. When my juniors got promoted, I had to still be in the same position. I did not want to continue there anymore”, says Salesh.

However, Salesh refuses to let these setbacks and attitudes affect his positivity. “I chose the way I want to live life. I had to undergo numerous struggles for that. I believe things will be easier for a disabled person if the society understands them better. It is high time that society becomes inclusive. I would tell all people with disabilities to live life on your own terms. You know what your talents are. So work accordingly and stay happy”.

Salesh has beaten many odds to pursue a great career. Currently, he does not even have time to look for out for a soulmate due to his busy schedule!

His colleagues love to have Salesh around. “It is always fun when Salesh is around at office”, says Jaya Priyadarshini, Senior Content Producer, Awesome Machi. . “He has a lot of positive vibes which we get when interacting with him. We can discuss about anything under the sun with him. Since he is well read, he talks about any topic that we give him”.

ALSO READ: Disability is no barrier for Sunitha, who creates amazing paintings with her mouth

Watch in Sign Language

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Contribue to Newz Hook |Disability news. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature disability stories or share disability news with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Get-hooked

Former Indian soldiers on a mission to enable disabled people to conquer land, sea & water

Get-hooked

“If you don’t step forward to break barriers, no one else will”- My Take by Sweta Mantrii

Get-hooked

Social media can't stop praising these McDonald’s employees for their kind gesture towards disabled person

Get-hooked

Understanding not responding to name as a sign of ASD

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook | Disability News - media site focusing on Disability Stories and Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight disability news, offer inclusive solutions and create accessible collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who will share disability stories and news.
Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.