"Stopped Labelling Myself 'Disabled'": Alma Chopra On Turning Barriers To Bridges

I was 10 when I was diagnosed with cerebellar ataxia, a disorder caused by damage to the cerebellum—the part of the brain that coordinates movement. I constantly worried about how people perceived me, questioned my own value, felt ashamed of my limitations, and sensed an underlying prejudice born from systemic inaccessibility. 

Despite these feelings of disparity, I continued to march through life, completing my education, entering the workforce, and now, becoming an entrepreneur.

Beyond A Label

For most of my life, I fed into the belief that individuals with disabilities—once simply labelled “disabled”—were somehow inadequate, inferior, or less whole. These beliefs weren’t baseless; all beliefs come from somewhere. In my case, they came from society, from media, and from peer perceptions and treatment.

To have these beliefs imposed upon you, then internalise them, and still find the strength to move forward—that requires more than courage. It’s a kind of silent resilience that many are never credited for. So, how did I overcome it, despite not being a superhero?

These feelings of inadequacy built walls around my life, limiting my perception and, ultimately, shaping my reality. Breaking those walls wasn’t something I achieved overnight. It took decades.

Through the unwavering support of my family, who redefined what persistence and love meant to me, through my curiosity in education, my zeal for knowledge, and my relentless effort to rise again and again, I transformed those barriers into bridges.

You can’t be taught resilience. You develop it by being stuck in difficult situations and learning to figure things out on your own. That’s exactly what I did, time and again.

That’s how today, I stand here as a disability rights social-entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and life coach; I no longer chase perfection—I celebrate progress. My mission now is to remind others that they, too, can turn barriers into stepping stones.

Because resilience isn’t rare—it’s just often hidden under years of self-doubt. The day I stopped calling myself “disabled” was the day I removed the ‘T’ from C-A-N-’T.

Being diagnosed with a chronic physical condition was hard enough, but the accompanying mental challenges made it even more debilitating. Yet, because of the strong foundation laid by my teachers and family, I was able to harness a deep well of confidence and resilience that helped me manage my physical condition and keep the mental battles in check.

After many roadblocks, falls, challenges, and tearful nights, I’m still here. And while I know I’ll face these hurdles again, I refuse to let them stop me from playing this game we call life.

Authored by Alma Chopra, founder of Almawakening Foundation, life coach, and motivational speaker.