You meet a very few people who completely
shake your thinking and show you what life is meant to be. All can exist but
only a few do what we call ‘lead a meaningful and fulfilling life’. One such
person I connected with recently is Ms. Virali Modi. I was keen on having her inspirational story
on this platform and I spoke to her expressing my wish. She was very
forthcoming, someone who is driven by a purpose and has a very clear vision.
IWH in conversation with the lady who wears many hats with elan. She is a model, a motivational speaker and Disability Rights
Activist. She is a changemaker at Enable Travel and she’s also a youth
ambassador.
IWH: Tell us something about you, your growing up years, life
through school, college etc.
Virali Modi: I
was born in Mumbai but at two months old, I shifted to the US with my parents
where I was raised in Pennsylvania for the majority of my life. I was an
excellent student, always topping the class and I was involved in many extra
curriculars like dancing, sports, music, and even debate team. When I was 14
years old, in 2006, I went to modeling and acting school called Barbizon where
I was selected to be the brand ambassador of a famous soft drink company. It
was a happy moment, but the day that I had to go sign the contract, I got sick
and had to be rushed to the hospital.
After becoming disabled, I was socially isolated for the initial
four years. I had gone into depression and even tried committing suicide twice
because my friends and family didn’t want to talk to me or be around me. At
that time, I did homeschooling and studied up until my 12th. I opted out of
going to college because I shifted to Mumbai in 2008.
(Here’s the link of her survival story, a story that anyone can take a leaf out of, story of an inspirational and incredible
lady: https://www.quora.com/What-does-it-feel-like-to-survive-death/answers/3251986?ch=10&share=3495c138&srid=p3Eb )
IWH: What is your current role?
Virali Modi: Currently
I’m working as the Youth Expert for Enable Travel, India’s Premier Accessible
Holiday Specialist. I am also a motivational speaker, disability rights
activist, writer, model, and aspiring actress.
IWH: What made you select your career/ vocation? Was it easy
making that decision?
Virali Modi: I
think I’ve always spoken about disability and trying to spread awareness. I’ve
always been one to stand up for the “voiceless”. I think it was probably the easiest
decision I’ve made in my life.
IWH: How has your professional journey been so far? Pros,
cons etc?
Virali Modi: Working
for Enable Travel, being a motivational speaker, a disability rights activist,
and being a writer has been amazing.
I’ve experienced so much because of Enable Travel and met so
many different types of people. Plus trying to get the disabled to travel
(which is one of my favorite things) has been amazing. We’ve successfully
created different experiences for the disabled – like accessible bowling for
instance. Something that I’ve also started is a campaign called
#RampMyRestaurant, in association with Enable Travel. We’re telling restaurants
PAN India to ramp up. We’ve successfully made two restaurants accessible in
Mumbai – Toit Bar and Brewery in Lower Parel and Ambrosia in Marol.
Unfortunately, it’s taken time because most restaurateurs don’t
think it’s necessary to have a ramp because, and I quote, “Madam, people like
YOU (persons with disabilities) don’t come here, so why should we have a ramp?”
This is the ugly mindset. What they fail to realize is that if they had a ramp,
people having locomotor disabilities would come.
When it comes to modeling and acting, it’s been a tough journey
because models/actresses with disabilities aren’t preferred. That basically
sums it up.
IWH: Who has been your mentor or a role model? In what way has
that person helped you?
Virali Modi: My
mother and father have been my mentors from the start, they’ve helped me
realize that my disability doesn’t define me. They’ve always taught me self
love and they’ve been my biggest fans, cheerleaders, and support.
Someone else that’s helped me along the way
is Bipasha Basu because she’s an advocate of self love
as well. When she entered the industry, she was this beautiful dusky Bengali
woman, which was unheard of. She owned it and broke a lot of barriers and
shattered the stigma around dusky skin. That was inspirational for me.
IWH: What have been the high points of your career? Highlight at
least 3.
Virali Modi: There
are so many amazing moments but these top the list.
1. When I started the #MyTrainToo campaign in
2017 for accessible Indian railways and I made 6 stations in the south
accessible.
2. Winning the Women’s Achievement Award by DCW
in 2017.
3. When Enable Travel and I made Supersonic 2018
accessible for people with physical disabilities.
4. When Toit Bar and Brewery and Ambrosia were
made accessible under the #RampMyRestaurant campaign.
5. When I was named as one of the most
influentionl and inspiring women of 2017 by BBC 100 Women.
6. When I won the Bharat Prerna Award by Ample
Misiion in 2018.
7.
When I shot with Salman Khan for
a nationwide campaign for Being Human.
8.
IWH: What challenges have you faced as a woman with
disabilities? How did you deal with them?
Virali Modi: I
think the biggest challenge I’ve faced is the lack of awareness which leads to
the lack of positive mentality regarding disability. People stare at me when I
go out in the public, they don’t know how to talk to me, or behave around me.
Usually, I’d just break the ice and then it’s all good from there.
IWH: If there was anything that you could change about your life
or career what would that be?
Virali Modi: I
don’t think I’d change anything about my life or my career. I’m in love with
what I do and I’m happy doing it.
IWH: What do you think of IWH?
Virali Modi: I
think it’s wonderful! Women are powerhouses and having a network of powerful
and likeminded women is crucial.
IWH: Your advice to the young professionals and students-
especially the ones with disabilities.
Virali Modi: Regardless
of having a disability, I think my biggest advice is to never give up. Keep
fighting for what you believe in, be strong, and be determined. No one is going
to fight for you, you need to stand up and fight for yourself.
IWH: You are a torchbearer for many social reforms and you have
brought about many noteworthy changes. What is your latest mission? What way
can the general public contribute towards it?
Virali Modi: My
latest mission is #RampMyRestaurant in association with Enable Travel. I’m
petitioning all the restaurants in India to ramp up! I think the biggest help
is to constantly tell the management at a particular restaurant that is not
accessible, is to provide a ramp.
IWH: Anything else you wish to share with our readers?
Virali Modi:
Nope! (Was all she said indicating someone who is to the point and doesn’t
believe in beating around the bush)
What a great conversation we had with this lovely lady. I am so
inspired to be a part of her mission. Lets all join hands and lets pledge in
our own capacities; to make this place better for people with
disabilities. What is so basic to us, they have to fight it out and that’s not
fair at all. They say if there’s a will there’s a way; she has not just that
will but it’s backed with a strong will power too! ….. and we say more power to
her.
Read full
story at: http://www.theiwh.com/the-changemaker-ms-virali-modi/
Website: http://www.theiwh.com/
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