Most of us keep complaining about our routine life problems and we hardly value what all our life has offered us. At times, we are shattered by small issues and there are many who lose courage to look forward to the life and possibilities it offers.

Well, have you ever thought that how will you look at your life if you are declared brain-dead thrice at the age of 14 and then when you come out of it knowing that you have lost entire sensation from the neck down and your mobility? Just the thought of it gave you the chills, isn’t it?

But here is Virali Modi, who has gone through the same.

Virali Modi was declared clinically dead thrice in US, though it started with simple cold and fever ; Virali has gone through a simple medical treatment to many medical complexities and end up with losing her neck down sensation and mobility. She went into coma, was declared clinically dead  not just that; doctors had planned to disconnect the ventilators as well. (Read here what actually happened to her) But fate and Virali’s willpower had something else in place and that’s what led her to become Miss India – wheel chair beauty pageant first runner up and then a writer, an activist and an aspiring actress.

1)How did you come to know about Wheel Chair Beauty Pageant? Why did you decide to participate in it?

I came to know about wheel chair beauty pageant from friend of mine who is a part of a community called Mina foundation. At the foundation, they informed me about the organizer of pageant Mr. Banarjee and I contacted him to know more about this event.

Mainly, I participated in the pageant to spread awareness about disability. I strongly believe that India is lacking in disability awareness and it is necessary that people should have some basic education and information about it. And If I would win; though I was the 1^st runner up, I could spread awareness about it and educate more people about people with certain disability.

2)What would be your words of inspiration for those in similar condition as yours?

I have seen so many people in similar condition and in general also people are so negative about their lives, they think that everything is lost. I think they should believe in themselves and never ever give up, they should keep doing whatever they are doing and rather than looking at negative side of things, they should take it as a learning experience.

3)How has your family and friends been instrumental in shaping your life and making day-to-day chores easier for you?

Only my parents and my boyfriend helped me, otherwise when eventually I became wheel chair bound I tried connecting with my friends to go out for a movie or something and nobody showed me any positive response. Even now I don’t have many close friends. My mom and dad are my strength and I find happiness in solitude.

4)What are your views on “Sexuality and disability”? What would you like to convey to “normal people” about the stereotype?

People think how disable people have sex, and I want to say you don’t need legs to have sex, it’s just a misconception that people having disability can’t have sex , as disability doesn’t cause any problem in sex life. There are certain misconceptions and myths around this which need to be addressed and corrected.

5)What is Feminism according to you?

I think feminism is not only for women but it is about everybody, there are people who are in male-bashing but I think feminism is more about eradicating gender bias and it is important for men and children too; I feel children are more feminist in nature as they do not discriminate the way we adults do.

6)What is your source of inspiration? And what keeps you going?

My parents are my source of inspiration and they have been very supportive. Whenever I felt like giving up I talked to my mother and she helped me a lot in keep looking forward. Every time I have gone through betrayal and heartbreak my parents were there to support me, their encouragement help me to chase my goal of becoming writer, model and now an actress. They taught me to just keep looking ahead in life.

This interview is Virali’s  tribute to her parents, who supported her in every ups and down of life and it’s her mother due to whom Virali Modi could reborn again.