Differently-abled Veerayi, a homeless destitute

MADURAI: To the world, 29-year-old differently-abled R Veerayi is an emerging sports star, who is getting ready to receive the Rani Mangamma Award from Akshaya Trust in Chennai on August 28. But in reality, she is a homeless destitute.With polio having made her wheelchair bound, Veerayi during her school days could only dream of playing games. It was in 2006 that Ranjith Kumar and Parasuraman, coaches of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu motivated her to enter sports.Following which, Veerayi not only participated in javelin, shot put, wheel chair race, relay, epee and discuss but also won gold, silver and bronze medals, rising from district to state and then to national and finally international level too. Till date, she has won 46 medals. Sharing her experience, she said, “My parents were the only people who instead of pitying me, encouraged and supported me.”Her energy drink is ‘Kanji’ (gruel) and pickle. Her cheer group – none. “It was like entering a battlefield as a sole survivor. I didn’t have a person to even help me with my wheel chair.” “I would not have gotten this opportunity if I had been an abled person. I should thank god for creating me as a ‘differently’ abled.”However, her sole demand is that despite bringing home titles and pride, she is a homeless destitute. She wants the government to provide her with a home and also a job as she is the sole-supporting family member. Her mother is sightless. After her father Ramasamy passed away in 2001 and her other six siblings left home after marriage, she and her mother were living in a small abode at Agimsapuram in Sellur. Last year they became homeless after the house collapsed in a heavy rain. Now they have found temporary shelter in Udhaya Trust for Destitutes .Veerayi , who has been nominated for the Kalpana Chawla Award, also dreams of Padmashri Award and participating in the Commonwealth and Olympic Games. “My achievements should set an example for other differently abled and the government’s support will be an encouragement to them. Even an abled person finds it hard to face obstacles but as a differently abled person, I have overcome them. Just like how I reached my goal with my parents encouragement and support, the nation is my second parent and I am seeking the government to recognise and support me to reach out to my dreams,” she added.