Chandigarh: The 'City Beautiful' today hosted—for the first time in North India—a community meetup for individuals living with Cerebral Palsy. This event was organized by the Bengaluru-based disability organization, Enable India, as part of its national campaign, 'CP Rise'.
The meetup brought together individuals with Cerebral Palsy, their families, caregivers, professionals, and allies to create a safe and inclusive platform for dialogue, mutual connection, and shared learning. Participants engaged in meaningful discussions on critical themes such as self-advocacy, accessibility, and community participation.
In India, Cerebral Palsy remains one of the least recognized disabilities. Many individuals with CP navigate life not merely with a neurological condition, but also with numerous associated co-morbidities, which often limit their social engagement and opportunities to make their voices heard. Initiatives like 'CP Rise' strive to address these structural challenges by fostering leadership capabilities and strengthening community networks.
The event was held at the Chandigarh Press Club and featured sessions such as "Finding Your Voice with AAC" by Dr. Anuradha Sharma, Lecturer in the Department of Otolaryngology at PGI; and "Mind Matters: Psychological Well-being for Individuals with Cerebral Palsy and Caregivers" by Dr. Alka Sharma (formerly a Clinical Psychologist at PGI and Prayas) and Dr. R.S. (Child and Adolescent Psychologist at Santokh Clinics, Sector 38). Dr. Sodhi (MS Ortho), Senior Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, and former Medical Superintendent and Head of the Department of Orthopedics at GTB Hospital, Ludhiana, offered tips for wheelchair users on maintaining muscle strength. Additionally, Dr. Arun Bansal (Administrator, Social Substance) conducted several inclusive and interactive sessions on topics such as "Adaptive Photography with Smartphones: Capturing Moments."
Nandini Bajaj, an individual living with Cerebral Palsy, mesmerized the audience with her singing and poetry recitation. Meanwhile, Mallika Khaneja—another artist living with Cerebral Palsy—showcased her latest painting and spoke about her work. These sessions encouraged active participation and introduced practical tools and methods designed to empower individuals with CP, guiding them toward greater independence and self-expression.
This meetup in Chandigarh marks a significant milestone in the expansion of the 'CP Rise' movement across North India. Prior to this, similar community events have been organized in Bengaluru, New Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, and Kolkata. The objective of these events is to bring together various stakeholders to strengthen support systems for individuals with Cerebral Palsy and to foster greater inclusion.
Through such initiatives, Enable India is working toward building inclusive communities where individuals with Cerebral Palsy are heard, seen, and respected as active citizens and agents of change.