Karan Shah: Embracing Life with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Through Humor and Resilience
Karan Sunil Shah, in his early twenties, embodies the spirit of resilience with an infectious sense of humor. Living by the adage, "He who laughs at himself never runs out of things to laugh at," Karan navigates life with Type III Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a genetic condition affecting motor nerves responsible for voluntary muscle movement. His journey is marked by personal loss, as his elder brother, who also had SMA, passed away from cardiac arrest at age 14. Despite this trauma, Karan has chosen laughter over despair, transforming his challenges into a source of inspiration.
A Viral Video Exposing Harsh Realities
Recently, one of Karan's videos went viral, shedding light on the poor treatment of people with disabilities in India. The incident occurred when he found the lift at Worli metro station non-functional. As one of the few stations with a working lift, its failure left him stranded. Karan waited 45 minutes, repeatedly calling emergency helplines, only to be told to "go on foot"—an impossible request for someone in a wheelchair. He captured the dangerous traffic on camera, highlighting the risks even for pedestrians, let alone wheelchair users.
"That night, I wasn't scared because I'm disabled. I was scared because the system failed me at every step," Karan reflected. "Lifts, helplines, roads, washrooms—everything made me feel disabled. Living in the current century shouldn't feel this unsafe. Accessibility is not luxury infrastructure. It's basic human dignity." With no alternatives, he wheeled himself from Worli to Dadar on hazardous roads, unable to find a single wheelchair-friendly washroom along the way.
From Fashion Dreams to Canine Training
As a child, Karan aspired to be a fashion model. Today, he laughs when his wheelchair is pushed up a ramp, quipping, "God gave me a permanent ramp." His Instagram page, rollyrollyshah, describes him as a comedian, canine and feline behaviourist, and Bharat Prerna Awardee. His humor extends to therapy sessions, where his therapist once advised him to tackle problems step by step—and laughed.
Karan's love for animals led him to train a Labrador puppy named Angel, gifted by Shiamak Davar after he enrolled in dance classes for children with special needs. Determined, Karan became a certified dog behaviourist, balancing this with work at his family's garment business. He also volunteers with Welfare of Stray Dogs (WSD), a Mumbai-based NGO.
Educational Struggles and Social Barriers
Growing up in Mumbai presented significant challenges, as the city is far from wheelchair-friendly. His parents faced repeated rejections from schools and colleges, leading Karan into depression. Many fail to understand that SMA does not affect intelligence. Eventually, he joined Aditya Birla Integrated School (formerly JBCN), which, though not fully accessible, provided support for his dyslexia.
"Making friends wasn't easy at first. I was judged for my condition, but my communication skills became my icebreaker," Karan shares. "Soon, I was known as the mischievous kid on the motorised wheelchair—pulling pranks, being outspoken, and speaking at every annual function."
A Call for Societal Change
The lack of wheelchair accessibility remains Karan's biggest challenge. "I hope this changes, especially in a metro city like Mumbai. It's not people like me who need advice—it's the so-called 'normal' people who need education," he asserts. "We don't need pity or sympathy. I'm neither special nor disabled—I'm just me."
In a sarcastic Instagram post, he wished a "Happy World Disability Day" not to those with disabilities, but to those who disable others through negligence. He listed examples like uneven roads, inaccessible footpaths, and public transport without ramps, concluding, "The only thing disabled in my life is society's mindset—they are disabled in practice." These words force society to confront shameful questions about inclusivity and accessibility.
