'Why Do You Want To Do BA' One Little Finger||Malini Chib||Literature and Disability

Manpreet Kaur

8 Apr 202407:51

Summary

TLDRIn this video, we explore the autobiography of Malini Chhib, a woman with cerebral palsy who shares her experiences of living with a disability. Born into a supportive family, Malini faced challenges when medical facilities in India were insufficient, prompting her family to move to England. There, she found a conducive environment at a special needs school that allowed her to express herself without judgment. However, upon returning to India, she encountered difficulties in accessing proper education and faced social and academic challenges due to her disability. Despite the lack of understanding and support from her college, Malini, with the help of her mother, overcame these obstacles and successfully completed her education. The video also highlights a memorable trip to Goa with her brother, showcasing the bond between siblings and the importance of empathy and understanding in overcoming life's challenges.

Takeaways

🌟 Malini's autobiographical book 'Being Reticent by Accident' is a reflection of her experiences.
🏠 Born into a wealthy and supportive family, Malini's early life was marked by challenges due to her Cerebral Palsy.
🇬🇧 The family's move to England provided Malini with better medical facilities and a more conducive environment for her condition.
👨‍👩‍ Malini's younger brother Nikhil's birth led to the family's return to India to ensure equal attention to both children.
👩‍🏫 Malini's mother, an educator specializing in special education, played a pivotal role in advocating for her daughter's needs.
🏫 Malini faced significant challenges in her educational journey, including physical accessibility issues and social integration.
🗣️ Malini's speech difficulties due to her Cerebral Palsy led to social isolation and a sense of being different from her peers.
🎓 Despite the odds, Malini managed to pass her exams and attend college, with the support of her mother and additional time allowances.
🚗 The trip to Goa with her brother Nikhil is a testament to the bonding time and the care and sensitivity Nikhil showed towards Malini.
🌍 Malini's experiences traveling, especially the challenges faced at airports and in India, highlight the need for more disability-friendly infrastructure.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video?
-The main theme of the video is the autobiographical account of Malini Chap, who has written about her experiences with cerebral palsy.
Why did Malini Chap and her family move to England?
-Malini Chap and her family moved to England because proper medical facilities were not available in India for her cerebral palsy.
How did Malini Chap's experience in England impact her life?
-In England, Malini Chap found a conducive environment at a special school called Hallam, where she could express herself without being mocked and received proper care for her condition.
What was the name of Malini Chap's younger brother?
-Malini Chap's younger brother's name is Nikhil.
Why did Malini Chap's parents shift back to Mumbai?
-Malini Chap's parents shifted back to Mumbai to ensure equal attention to both of their children, Malini and Nikhil.
What was the profession of Malini Chap's mother, Mitu Ahlawat?
-Malini Chap's mother, Mitu Ahlawat, is an educationist who provides special education and opened her first special education center in Mumbai in 1972.
What challenges did Malini Chap face in her college, St. Xavier's College?
-Malini Chap faced challenges in St. Xavier's College such as needing to balance on floors without her electric wheelchair and dealing with small lifts that couldn't accommodate her wheelchair.
How did Malini Chap's mother support her during her college years?
-Malini Chap's mother, Mitu Ahlawat, arranged for her to have notes from friends and requested extra time for exams from the vice-chancellor to accommodate Malini's needs.
What was the issue with the speech of Malini Chap due to her cerebral palsy?
-Malini Chap's speech was not clear due to her cerebral palsy, which led to her classmates not understanding her properly and causing her to feel isolated and frustrated.
What was the significance of the trip to Goa with her brother, Nikhil?
-The trip to Goa with her brother, Nikhil, was significant as it provided bonding time for the siblings to get to know each other better and enjoy each other's company.
How did Nikhil ensure Malini Chap enjoyed the trip to Goa?
-Nikhil was very attentive and caring towards Malini Chap during the trip, ensuring her needs were met and that she could enjoy the trip despite the challenges faced due to her disability.

Outlines

00:00

🧑‍⚕️ Malini's Early Life and Move to England

This paragraph introduces Malini Chib, the author of the autobiographical essay 'Why Do You Want to Do BA?' and provides a background of her early life. Born into a wealthy and supportive family, Malini moved to England with her family after India lacked proper medical facilities for her cerebral palsy. In England, Malini found an environment that respected her disability and provided her the necessary attention, unlike in India, where doctors focused on 'fixing' her condition. Her mother, Mithu Alur, played a key role in supporting her daughter's education and founded centers for special education in various Indian cities.

05:00

🎓 Malini's Challenges at St. Xavier's College

This paragraph details Malini's experience at St. Xavier's Junior College in Mumbai, where she faced numerous academic, social, and personal challenges due to her disability. Malini’s wheelchair made it difficult for her to sit on the floor during class or access certain areas like the library, as the facilities were not designed with her needs in mind. Her mother continued to support her by arranging for extra time during exams and coordinating with professors. Despite the social challenges, including her peers staring at her and her speech difficulties isolating her, Malini persevered with her mother's help.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is a neurological disorder that affects body movement, muscle coordination, and motor skills. In the video, Malini's struggle with Cerebral Palsy is central to her narrative. It is mentioned that she was diagnosed with this condition, which significantly impacts her life, including her education and social interactions. The video highlights the challenges she faces due to her disability, such as the need for a wheelchair and the difficulties in accessing facilities.

💡Wheelchair

A wheelchair is a mobility aid that provides support and independence for individuals with limited mobility. In the context of the video, Malini uses a wheelchair due to her Cerebral Palsy. The script mentions the challenges she encounters, such as the inability to use lifts that are too small for her wheelchair, which underscores the importance of accessibility for people with disabilities.

💡Special Education

Special Education refers to tailored educational programs designed to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. Malini's mother, Mitu, is an educator who provides special education and opens centers for children with disabilities. The video emphasizes the importance of specialized teaching methods and the role of Mitu in advocating for her daughter's educational needs, which is a critical aspect of Malini's story.

💡Accessibility

Accessibility in the context of the video refers to the design and construction of the environment to be usable by people with disabilities. The script discusses the lack of accessibility in various settings, such as small lifts and Indian-style toilets that Malini cannot use, highlighting the need for more inclusive infrastructure.

💡Inclusion

Inclusion in the video signifies the involvement and empowerment of individuals with disabilities in society. Malini's journey is a testament to the importance of inclusion, as she navigates education and social life despite the challenges posed by her disability. The video underscores the need for a more inclusive society that accommodates the needs of all individuals.

💡Treatment

Treatment in this context refers to medical or therapeutic interventions aimed at managing or improving the condition of individuals with disabilities. The script mentions that Malini underwent treatment for six years, indicating the ongoing efforts to support her health and well-being.

💡Mother's Role

The mother's role in the video is pivotal, as Mitu, Malini's mother, is depicted as a strong advocate for her daughter. She is instrumental in ensuring Malini receives the necessary support and education, reflecting the critical support that family members can provide to individuals with disabilities.

💡Sibling Relationship

The sibling relationship is highlighted through Malini's interactions with her brother, Nikhil. The video describes a trip to Goa where Nikhil is attentive and caring towards Malini, demonstrating the bond and support that can exist between siblings.

💡Challenges

Challenges in the video are the obstacles and difficulties Malini faces due to her disability. These include physical barriers, social stigma, and the emotional toll of feeling isolated. The script illustrates these challenges through Malini's experiences, such as the struggle to participate in class activities and the emotional impact of not receiving proper attention.

💡Educational Institutions

Educational Institutions are the schools and colleges where Malini pursues her education. The video discusses the lack of accommodations and understanding at these institutions, which is a significant theme as it reflects the broader issue of inclusive education for students with disabilities.

💡Social Balance

Social balance in the video refers to the equilibrium between Malini's personal, social, and academic life. The script mentions the various challenges she faces in maintaining this balance, such as the difficulty of moving between floors in her college due to her wheelchair, which is a metaphor for the broader struggle to achieve a balanced life.

Highlights

The video covers the autobiographical essay 'Why do you want to do BA?' by Malini Chop, based on her own experiences.

Malini Chop was born into a wealthy and supportive family but faced challenges due to her disability, cerebral palsy.

Her family moved to England for better medical facilities, where Malini found an environment that understood her needs.

Malini’s experience in England contrasted with her experience in India, where doctors attempted to 'fix' her rather than accept her condition.

Malini's mother, Mithu Alow, an educationist, opened a special education center in Mumbai in 1972 to help children with disabilities, inspired by her daughter’s needs.

Malini faced social and academic challenges at St. Xavier Junior College, where the infrastructure was not wheelchair accessible.

One of the significant challenges at college was the seating arrangement, as students sat on the floor, which was impossible for Malini in her wheelchair.

The lifts in the college were too small to fit Malini’s electric wheelchair, preventing her from accessing the library.

Malini’s speech difficulties made communication challenging, leading to her feeling isolated and different from her classmates.

Her mother arranged extra notes from friends and additional time for exams, which sparked debates about fairness in the college.

Despite academic and social difficulties, Malini passed her exams with the help of her mother.

A significant trip to Goa with her brother Nikhilesh highlighted their sibling bond as Nikhilesh cared for her every need during the trip.

Although Mumbai Airport was disability-friendly, the facilities in Goa were not, particularly with Indian-style toilets, which were inaccessible to Malini.

Nikhilesh ensured that Malini enjoyed the trip despite the challenges she faced.

The essay ends with a reflection on the challenges Malini overcame, focusing on her personal growth and her family’s support.