[Nupur Chokshi is the founder and author of Inspiration Matters. It's a collection of stories and interviews of people with disabilities aimed at showing the wide range of experiences, beliefs, and hopes that exist in our community. I dislike the name of the website and don't believe that the stories or the people interviewed should be considered inspirational. I do, however, think it's a great idea for people, especially young people with disabilities, to have a central place to find these stories. Here is my interview with Nupur that was completed in October, 2019.]
1 What key area do you address to promote economic development for people with disabilities?
NJ. The critical area that I focus on when promoting economic development for people with disabilities is to ensure that every person with a disability has the skills, resources, and the self-belief that they need to be the best person for the job they want. Throughout my life, the emphasis that most people take when they promote employment for people with disabilities is to persuade employers to 'hire the disabled.' My experience is that many, if not most employers, are more ready to hire people with disabilities than we are to go to work. Many people with disabilities in the United States do not work because they fear losing services, such as personal assistant services. These services are usually paid by the government but only for people who don't work and have little assets. Too many of us have bought into society's low expectations of us. We need to feel good about who we are. If we don't, no one else will.
2 What are the barriers to inclusiveness? Who can address those barriers, and how?
NJ The most significant barriers to inclusiveness are the low expectations that people have of us and that we have of ourselves. We allow challenges to become barriers. We shy away from challenges. Too often, when we hit a brick wall, we give up instead of finding a way around the wall. There is always a way!
3 What life decisions have helped you to reach where you are today?
NJ, I have always had a plan with measurable goals and milestones. I have not always met my goals and milestones, and my plans have often changed. I found, however, that it's easier to get somewhere when you know where you want to go as long as you are willing to change directions. I have also always had mentors – people who know how to kick my rear-end and push me to do my best. I also take calculated risks. Perhaps the 2 most significant life decisions I've made was moving to California after college and adopting a baby with my wife, Denise.
4 Who is your inspiration?
NJ Judy Heumann. I was lucky to be in the same class with Judy when I was in kindergarten. We have been close friends ever since then. She still has more energy than anyone else I know. She also has the clearest vision of where the Disability Movement needs to go.
5 What are your other hobbies?
NJ My favorite hobby is having a mocha with friends and discussing politics and religion. I enjoy listening to e-books and seeing movies and plays. I play backgammon and chess.
6 What is your favorite place to visit? What do you love about that place?
NJ Yosemite National Park is my favorite place on earth. I love staring at the enormous mountains like El Capitan. I imagine the mountains saying to me, “Ha! You worry about day to day trivia. We've been here for millions of years! Look around and behold the beauty that's all around.”
7 What is your suggestion for families of children with disabilities to empower their children?
NJ – The 2 suggestions I have for parents of children with disabilities are to follow your heart and have fun! We live in an era where we are bombarded with advice. If you follow your heart, you will not always be right, but you won't be wrong. I've written about how my parents refused to let me have a wheelchair until I went to high school. I wouldn't do that, but I learned to work hard, and that failing is OK. Having fun is critical for a couple and their family. Too often have I seen families get so involved with a disability that they forget that life needs to be filled with fun.
8 What tips/advice do you have for those in our community who want to overcome adversity?
NJ My advice re overcoming adversity is that don't shy away from it. Find your community and support each other. Try not to blame others for the challenges we face. Blaming others too often diminishes our power to do something about it. Try to discover the real underlying reason why roadblocks are erected and be creative as to how to remove barriers.
9 Any special message for our community?
NJ The main message to the disability community is to enjoy life. Sure there are real problems to solve, barriers to tear down, attitudes to change, etc. It's much easier to accomplish these things when we feel good about who we are. Find your mentors. Find and actively participate in your community. Revel with family and friends. Most importantly, have fun and Go! Go! Go!
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