In a heartening story of resilience from Ahmedabad, 33-year-old Maitri Jha has authored her life story, titled "Maitri," which was published in August this year. Born with cerebral palsy, Maitri cannot hold a pen, yet she has successfully compiled a book that shares her unique journey and advocates for meaningful change.
Finding Freedom in Water
For Maitri, true liberation is found in the swimming pool. She describes the transformative feeling of being in water, where her body feels lighter and freer. "In the pool, I felt lighter, freer, as if my body remembered something my mind always knew — that I could move," she writes. Her connection to swimming began with water therapy sessions in Tashkent, an experience she credits as life-changing.
Her condition is a result of her premature birth in 1992, which affected her motor skills, speech, and balance. However, her parents, Sanjay and Manisha Jha, were determined from the start to raise her just like any other child, fostering an environment of normalcy and possibility.
A Collective Effort to Tell a Story
The creation of the book "Maitri" was a true family and community endeavor. Driven by Maitri's desire to share her life with the world and push for practical support over mere sympathy, the project brought everyone together.
Caregiver Ankita served as her writer, diligently taking notes. The text received an emotional translation from Vimala Thakkar. Her brother, Miraj, and sister-in-law, Meghal, guided her through the process of expressing her thoughts. The publication was made possible by family friend Urvish Kantharia.
The book captures various facets of her life, including simple joys like car rides and a memorable meeting with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
An Appeal for Inclusion and Action
Beyond being a personal memoir, "Maitri" serves as a powerful appeal to policymakers and society. Maitri and her family highlight the severe lack of facilities in public spaces for individuals with special needs. The core message is a call to truly 'see' and understand this community, moving beyond empathy to create tangible infrastructure and support systems that enable independence and participation.
Maitri Jha's journey from the swimming pool to becoming a published author stands as a profound testament to human spirit and parental dedication. It underscores the critical need for a more inclusive and accessible world.
