Diethono Nakhro speaking at the Presentation to upcoming talented musicians of Nagaland, 2020 held on October 30. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 30
Diethono Nakhro, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Nagaland today said that having a disability is nothing to be ashamed about.
She was referring to Kilang Jamir, who was also one of the recipients of “presentation to upcoming talented musicians of Nagaland, 2020” by Naga Musicians Collective (NMC) today at RCEMPA Jotsoma, near Kohima.
Gracing the presentation ceremony as the special guest, Nakhro said that she was particularly pleased to see Kilang among the recipients today. “Not because of his disability, there’s nothing strange or extraordinary about that - but because he is standing up as a role model to others,” she said.
She said there is still a lot of misunderstanding and misconceptions about disability in the society – a lot of negative attitudes that make life very difficult for disabled people, such as the bullying that Kilang faced growing up, something so many disabled people experience every day.
“There are people out there who think that disability makes a life useless and hopeless, that a disabled person cannot achieve anything or that a disability makes someone ‘less’ than others,” she lamented.
A lot of shame is dumped on people living with disabilities, and I know it’s especially tough on young disabled people. I’m happy to see Kilang embracing his disability and following his passion, Nakhro added.
She said having a disability is nothing to be ashamed about.
There’s absolutely nothing abnormal or wrong about being disabled. It is just part of one’s identity - I have many identities – I’m a mother, daughter, sister, disabled person, woman and so on – and all these identities define who I am as a person.
And I am very proud of my identity as a disabled woman because I would not be who I am at this moment if it was not for my disability, Nakhro said.
Be proud of who you are. Love yourself, embrace your disability, embrace your flaws, your imperfections, she said adding “Believe in your abilities; never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Remember, you are capable of so much more than you know.”
