Disabled - the very first impression this term gives to many is of a dejected, depressed, pathetic and morose person. But this is not always true. Although disabled people, including myself, are dependent on family members for most basic needs, we need not lead a reclusive and secluded life. To prove this, my other disabled friends and I decided to take the plunge into uncharted waters.

We decided to go to Shimla on our own, but all our parents had certain inhibitions. However, as soon as we could convince them that we could make a trip without their help, we were off. But let me first tell you about our enthusiastic FOD group-myself a patient of polymyositis; Anjlee Agarwal, a person with muscular dystrophy; Seema Malhotra, a polio afflicted person; and Vishakha Joshi, who is visually impaired. Vijay Kumar, an associate member, who has one eye, also joined us.

We had already booked rooms in the tourist bungalow at Solan and the Grand Hotel at Shimla and intimated them about our disabilities. We took along with us our medical kit including a wheel chair and a toilet chair. We set out for our journey on May 10, 95 from New Delhi by taxi at 10 a.m. making several halts on our way to stretch our cramped muscles, and reached Solan at 9.30 p.m. We highly recommend the Solan tourist bungalow as it has a ramp and bathrooms are accessible.

Next day we started for Shimla. We were all bubbling with excitement and eager to reach Grand Hotel, which is only hundred meters from Mall Road. In Shimla, cars are allowed only upto a certain point near Mall Road after a permit has been obtained from The DC's office. If one has a disability certificate or letter from a competent authority, then permission is generally granted. We had a letter from the Joint Director (Security) of Parliament House. Since DC's office was closed for Eid, we showed our letter to the Inspector (Traffic), Bakshi, who took personal interest and sent a constable with us to ensure our safe arrival at Grand Hotel.

Unfortunately the hotel did not live up to its name - it is situated on the hill top, rooms are inaccessibly by wheelchair and the staff is uncooperative. We were offered a VIP Room, but on the fourth floor without a lift! Only when we presented them a letter from a MP from Shimla did the things begin to move.

It was 6.00 p.m. by the time we managed to settle in. To relieve ourselves from fatigue and tension we played �antakshri' for three hours. Since Grand Hotel has no room service Vijay brought us dinner from market. At this point we decided to go back to Solan. The following day we called up the manager of the tourist bungalow at Solan. He was very helpful and booked two rooms. But before leaving Shimla we wanted to take a look around. It was thrilling experience. Seema And Anjlee walked with Vishakha's support and we all were Vishakha's eyes. People looked at us: some with disbelief, some with curiosity and some with admiration at our guts. But we were busy enjoying ourselves. We did a lot of shopping and had a sumptuous lunch at a restaurant. This was possible since these areas are accessible.

We reached Solan in the evening and were glad to be in a 'home away from home'. Our next outing was to Chail, about 42 km from Solan. This is a quiet spot away from the hustle and bustle of the city. With rows and rows of Deodhar trees. There is a palace here which is now a hotel with a big easily accessible garden. We spent three hours there. In the evening with our local friends, Sanjana, Vipul and Atul, all persons with muscular dystrophy, we visited Sunset Point when we came back to the tourist Bungalow we realized that it was our last evening together. To make it memorable we had a song session till 2.30 a.m. and sang songs from KL Sehgal to Baba Sehgal.

On our return trip we wanted to stop at Timer Trail Resort at Parwanoo. We were a little skeptical about taking a ride in the ropeway car, but here too a provision has been made for wheelchair users. The staff was very helpful and their experienced hands easily lifted my wheelchair into ropeway car. It was a hair raising experience of a lifetime to be 5000 feet above the ground, with the whispering winds presenting music befitting the ride. It was an exhilarating event in our lives.