Ahmedabad: When Reena came as a bride to Ahmedabad from Uttar Pradesh, she had no idea how she would connect with husband Jay Shakya, having speech and hearing impairment. But over 15 years of togetherness, she has mastered the art of sign language. Jay works with the Blind People’s Association (BPA).
“Love knows no language, and I just learnt it with other family members who were conversant with the signs. People often joke that we might not have fights as we don’t talk — which is not true! Like any couple, we also have our share of ups and downs,” says Reena, adding that her experience helped many dispel myths about disability and relationships.
“No person could have taken better care of me during my pregnancies. I’m glad to have him.”
City-based NGOs working with disability sector said that the taboo of a person with disabilities marrying a ‘normal’ person is slowly but surely disappearing.
“We faced a major opposition when we got married in 2013,” recounts Hasmukh Nai, working with GCRI and having locomotor disability.
“I met Yogini around 2008-09 when she had come as a replacement for another employee. We became friends and realized that nobody would be able to understand each other like we do. Her father came around after a meeting, but I had to work hard to ensure that I fulfil their expectations,” says Nai, adding that they have a six-year-old child now.
More than words can say: She learnt sign language for him – Times of India
BySign Language
Feb 13, 2022