Service recipients of APD's Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation participated in the 30th State Para Games 2020 in Mysuru. The performance of all the participants was exemplary, a testament to their practice, discipline and tenacity. Proving all naysayers wrong, Madavaiah, Pallavi, Gangaraj, Poorna and Manjula showed that disability is not a roadblock for people willing to work hard to get where they want to be in life.

1. Madavaiah, an ex-military personnel, is from Andhra Pradesh. His spine was injured in 2016 during military service. 

He participated in the shot put and disc throw games, and secured first place in both.

2. Pallavi, 26 years old from Chitradurga had a spinal cord injury at the age of 3 yrs. She was at home for 20 years before getting into APD's SCI Rehabilitation. Post-rehab, she joined APD as an intern. 

She participated in the shot put and javelin throw and secured first place in both. 

3. Gangaraj hails from Tumkur. He worked a food delivery boy in the railways. He was diagnosed with transverse myelitis which affected his spinal cord. He got admitted into APD's Rehabilitation centre and regained confidence and work skills. 

He participated in disc throw and javelin throw and secured 4th place. 

4. Poorna Rao, from Andhra Pradesh, got a spinal cord injury as a result of a bike accident. He sought out APD's rehabilitation services and got admitted in an SRC (Spinal Cord Injury Rehab Center). 

He participated in javelin throw and disc throw and secured 4th position.

5. Manjula works as an Assistant Rehab Therapist in the Spinal Cord Injury program. She was earlier a volunteer and frequent participant in athletic games.

All the winners have qualified for national level participation. 

Many thanks to Paliah and Manjula who accompanied and supported the team.

Congratulations to the SCIR team - Sankar, Heavenna, Umesh, Santhosh, Praveen, Sudha and Samidha - this is a momentous occasion that will always be remembered. 

Such wins motivate us all in the work we do at APD. The changes we bring about with the support of our donors also change us, making us better human beings and professionals dedicated to empowering persons with disability.

If you know someone with a spinal cord injury, encourage them to receive rehabilitation services and live their life to their fullest capacity. Learn more about the Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation program at APD.