<p class="title">Many people with physical disability are standing on their own feet in Bengaluru, thanks to employers who recognise their worth.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Leena Joseph, working with Terrier (associate of Quess Corp) as a receptionist for 25 years, suffers from cerebral palsy. She can't walk more than 10 minutes without severe pain. But this has not deterred her in any way.</p>.<p class="bodytext">From making phone calls to fixing appointments and interacting with a large number of people, Leena does it all.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"In 1992, I had just completed my studies and was staying at Saint Teresa's convent. Capt Ravi, founder of Terrier Security, asked if I would like to work. As a 20-year-old, I eagerly grabbed the opportunity," she recalls.</p>.<p class="bodytext">She gained the confidence to leave the convent and live on her own.</p>.<p class="bodytext">For her, Terrier is a family that has taken care of her.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Many organisations motivate people with disability by giving them equal job opportunities.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Renuka Patil joined Bosch three-and-a-half-years ago.</p>.<p class="bodytext">When she was just 10, she had lost her right arm in an accident. However, her family's support helped her heal from the trauma.</p>.<p class="bodytext">An MBA graduate from Gulbarga University, she is an HR business partner with a focus on business engagement.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"After the accident, when I resumed school, my friends started treating me differently. Those were the darkest days of my life, but I am grateful to my teachers and friends who supported me," she says.</p>.<p class="bodytext">When she started applying for jobs, she was in for disappointment.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"There were times when I cleared all rounds but was rejected at the interview because that's when recruiters found out about my disability," she says.</p>.<p class="bodytext">But some were more considerate and offered her jobs because of her potential.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I started my career in a software company called Triad Infotech. Happiest Miles was the second company I joined," she says.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Fousiya Abdul Rawoof was just a year old when she was diagnosed with typhoid. Wrong treatment left her disabled.</p>.<p class="bodytext">With a never-say-die attitude, she got rid of her wheelchair, making it a point to walk at every opportunity.</p>.<p class="bodytext">She has been working with Bosch for five years. "I work with the CSR department and this is my first corporate job. In the beginning, I was not ready to face a huge crowd, but my team helped me gain confidence," she says.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Fousiya had begun her career with an NGO called The Association of People with Disability.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">Olympic dreams</p>.<p class="bodytext">Chumbitha A P, been working with Hatti Kaapi as a receptionist and administrative assistant for five months. Being the only breadwinner of her family, she says the job has helped her.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I dream of becoming an international athlete and I plan to participate in the national-level paralympics later this year. Hatti Kaapi is supporting me with my dreams too," she says. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The determination to work, learn and live gave wings to these strong women.</p>.<p>Job exchanges</p>.<p>Here are organisations that help people with disability find jobs:</p>.<p>Bangalore The Association of People with <br />Disability (APD)</p>.<p>2547 5165</p>.<p>Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled</p>.<p>094808 12120</p>.<p>EnAble India</p>.<p>helpdesk@enableindia.org</p>
<p class="title">Many people with physical disability are standing on their own feet in Bengaluru, thanks to employers who recognise their worth.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Leena Joseph, working with Terrier (associate of Quess Corp) as a receptionist for 25 years, suffers from cerebral palsy. She can't walk more than 10 minutes without severe pain. But this has not deterred her in any way.</p>.<p class="bodytext">From making phone calls to fixing appointments and interacting with a large number of people, Leena does it all.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"In 1992, I had just completed my studies and was staying at Saint Teresa's convent. Capt Ravi, founder of Terrier Security, asked if I would like to work. As a 20-year-old, I eagerly grabbed the opportunity," she recalls.</p>.<p class="bodytext">She gained the confidence to leave the convent and live on her own.</p>.<p class="bodytext">For her, Terrier is a family that has taken care of her.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Many organisations motivate people with disability by giving them equal job opportunities.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Renuka Patil joined Bosch three-and-a-half-years ago.</p>.<p class="bodytext">When she was just 10, she had lost her right arm in an accident. However, her family's support helped her heal from the trauma.</p>.<p class="bodytext">An MBA graduate from Gulbarga University, she is an HR business partner with a focus on business engagement.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"After the accident, when I resumed school, my friends started treating me differently. Those were the darkest days of my life, but I am grateful to my teachers and friends who supported me," she says.</p>.<p class="bodytext">When she started applying for jobs, she was in for disappointment.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"There were times when I cleared all rounds but was rejected at the interview because that's when recruiters found out about my disability," she says.</p>.<p class="bodytext">But some were more considerate and offered her jobs because of her potential.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I started my career in a software company called Triad Infotech. Happiest Miles was the second company I joined," she says.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Fousiya Abdul Rawoof was just a year old when she was diagnosed with typhoid. Wrong treatment left her disabled.</p>.<p class="bodytext">With a never-say-die attitude, she got rid of her wheelchair, making it a point to walk at every opportunity.</p>.<p class="bodytext">She has been working with Bosch for five years. "I work with the CSR department and this is my first corporate job. In the beginning, I was not ready to face a huge crowd, but my team helped me gain confidence," she says.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Fousiya had begun her career with an NGO called The Association of People with Disability.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">Olympic dreams</p>.<p class="bodytext">Chumbitha A P, been working with Hatti Kaapi as a receptionist and administrative assistant for five months. Being the only breadwinner of her family, she says the job has helped her.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I dream of becoming an international athlete and I plan to participate in the national-level paralympics later this year. Hatti Kaapi is supporting me with my dreams too," she says. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The determination to work, learn and live gave wings to these strong women.</p>.<p>Job exchanges</p>.<p>Here are organisations that help people with disability find jobs:</p>.<p>Bangalore The Association of People with <br />Disability (APD)</p>.<p>2547 5165</p>.<p>Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled</p>.<p>094808 12120</p>.<p>EnAble India</p>.<p>helpdesk@enableindia.org</p>