Here are some stories of how couples have broken through the stigma and discrimination surrounding disabilities to find love!
Nagappa and Kasturi
This couple with disabilities fell in love. Despite opposition from their families and society–they belonged to different caste groups–they made the prayerful decision to get married with the assistance of South Asia Access leaders. Now they run a small restaurant and have two daughters who go to school!
Laxman and Prema
Again, people from different castes fell in love and got married! Now both Prema and Laxman work for South Asia Access, which organized their wedding. They have a daughter in the 7th grade and a son in the 3rd grade!
Maheshwari and Martin
Martin and Maheshwari both have disabilities. While working together at South Asia Access, the staff’s prayerful intervention made it easier for both of their families to accept each other.
Sudha and Gladwin
A nursing student of South Asia Access married a Christian man. She continues to work as a nurse in a prestigious medical institution in the city.
Akkamma and Manjunath
A nursing student and South Asia Access alum fell in love with a young man who worked for the government. They were married and now have two children, a girl and a boy.
Manju and Kavita
Manju is an accountant at South Asia Access, while Kavita is a house church leader in a village. Again with South Asia Access’ intervention with the families, they were married this year at the South Asia Access center.
When I met all the married alumni of South Asia Access at Manju and Kavita wedding, I was proud to see them evolve from being students and to see them up take up the roles of husband and father or wife and the mother – leading their household and influencing their families and communities with godly values. They all looked so mature and loved their spouses and children, providing and protecting them. A brief talk with their spouses said it all: South Asia Access’ students were reflections of the beauty of Christ to their families.
They continue to face challenges, like everybody else, but gather strength each day believing in the One who promised to manifest His strength during hard times. All of them said one thing in common: “If it was not for South Asia Access we would never have dreamed of a life like this. You taught us to dream and to work hard to achieve it, so here we are!” I am proud to even see them turn out to be donors for South Asia Access’ initiatives!
Their lives were truly inspiring and one thing was evident: love and marriage do not discriminate — only people do!