Shivratri is on the 12th.
Be inspired by the life of Johar and then scroll down to the following blog to 'link' with Lord Shiva!

I have posted the following article because:
1) I am karmically connected with the author Mr Mahajan
2) I have a cousin sister who is 'otherwise abled' she has polio and is doing wonderfully with afflicted children and an ngo called SEC
3)I like people who say 'YES' to life despite setbacks!




KING OF THE DISABLED

-by K B Mahajan

Chor-chor, chor, bacchao,bachao

Bang! Bang!! Bang!!!

And he fell on the floor, bleeding.

The thieves ran away. The victim, about 30 years of age, was moved to the hospital at 2.35 a.m. Doctors saved his life. Next morning, however, it was declared that out of three bullets, two had docked in his body. Nobody thought that he would live as the wounds were grievous and blood loss was so much. But the man lived much bigger than what he was.

Crippled and tied down to bed for the last 23 years is Rajinder Johar who worked as a Sr. Occupational Therapist at King George’s Medical College, Lucknow for nearly 17 years. Had he not grappled with the thieves and hit by bullets, Johar would have worked and retired just like any other government employee, unsung.

The disability gave him strength and power enough to help the disabled – at least few out of the millions in India. An NGO called FAMILY OF DISABLED (FOD) was thus born.

Today, Johar is a unique personality. Here is a man who is quadriplegic – whose lower limbs are totally paralyzed, fingers are stiff, has no control on his bowels and urinary system, cannot eat or drink by himself yet he is working more than many of us, he handles two telephones, he controls his ceiling fan, TV et al besides staff which consists of at least 10

FAMILY OF DISABLED is the organization which is life and soul of Shri Johar. After Johar was destined to bed he felt he had become a liability to everyone. Over two years passed. Suddenly Johar had an idea- now that I know first hand what disability is, why not offer some help to those who are not only disabled but also had no money – at least Johar himself did have some monetary support from his wife and elder brother.

Such were the wild ideas Johar was nurturing. By 1986 Johar was a different person – lying on the bed he pursued his conviction. The handicapped trickled by his bedside. They were encouraged to do some work to earn their living. But where is the money? We have no skills to do any job.

Johar arranged for their initial requirements – got them say, a tricycle with a box fixed at the back. The box was filled with biscuits, toffees and other items which can be sold among kids and the adults alike. Money? It came through some philanthropists and the man was put on rails for his earnings – howsoever small. Some such recipients are running Chalta Phirta PCO; some others are small time shopkeepers.

This is what was later called Apna Rozgar Scheme (ARS). Until now 507 persons have had the pride of earning their bread and butter – some to the extent of Rs.6000 to 10,000/- every month.

FOD also invites their paintings which find their way into Art Exhibitions called Beyond Limits where these are sold to the connoisseurs. The money so collected is passed on to the painters.

That is not all. FOD is the only organization which brings out a Quarterly magazine VOICE wholly dedicated to the disabled. It is perhaps the only magazine of its kind in India.

With all this Johar is the personification of light heartedness. “What do you think, am I not leading a King’s life? For all my chores I have to just ring a bell and someone is there to get me what I want. I have different bells for different persons to present themselves before me. Is this any way less than a king’s life?” he giggles.

No wonder this ‘King’ has been amply covered by the media- both print and electronic. He has been decorated with several awards by no less than the President of India to the Chief Minister of Delhi.

Rajinder Johar or FOD can be contacted on phone no. # 011-41570140, 25597328,
e mail : admin@familyofdisabled.org & website: www.familyofdisabled.org