The Day I Wore 2 Different Shoes - Story 3

Just before the Christmas of 2019, as the world was preparing to relax & switch on the party mode … in one of our team event, I chose to play FOOTBALL…

The Opponent in the other team lined up to invoke the Ronaldo in him and unleashed a powerful drive towards the Goal and the competitive spirit in me wanted to deny him the score. Well I managed to block the speedy ball from the Goalpost but had to pay a big price which I didn’t realize until the next day.

As the Doctor examined my heavily sprained foot with the X-ray declaring that it’s not just a sprain but a fracture with impact on ligament requiring a cast & grounding for next 3-4 months, my whole world seemed crashing on me..

Few Hours before the Game day I had the opportunity to be part of a Marquee event of our organization #SGGSC - “#Connexion2.0” which made community of PWD come together in the event and inspire us.

As I was manning the booth of Toastmaster Club interacting with so many people, it helped me reflect on lot of things, of courage, of resilience, of Life itself.. It deeply moved me..yet I understood lot of things that were shared in that forum after I got injured and was bound to a wheel chair \ crutches to walk for a good time and of course then I started wearing 2 different shoes !!

 “ Today on the Women’s Day where the Theme is #ChooseToChallenge, I want to share 3 memoirs of that Frozen time with all and draw your attention to the People around me who always made me Feel Inclusive & helped me to challenge myself ”

Refer the previous linked articles to relate to story 3!!

Story 3 – Good Samaritans who ChoosetoChallenge their boundaries, demonstrating a genuine interest.

Being in HR, before the Pandemic mindfully necessitated, connecting with people in person and working from home for the entire 1.5 months connecting virtually didn’t seem ok at that time, which made me determined to go to office & meet people…

There stood the challenge of how to travel as the campus posed few rules of cabs not coming inside without a rider for security reasons, here a good colleague – Samaritan, now a good friend offered to pool a ride back home although it’s a slight detour from the place he lived.

I have always been independent travelling by my vehicle and the fact that I had to seek someone’s help wasn’t easy by me, yet never once I felt that I am being helped, the ride back home was full of debates & discussions on corporate culture, processes, interesting books with different perspective, problem statements… we never knew how time went by in the traffic and we still ardently debate on topics :)

Entering office to work made my eyes open to accessibility, things like a turnstile, a small step on the floor with no ramp in sight, opening the conference door which seemed particularly heavy never bothered me before but now it seemed like the whole interiors are speaking to me on possibility of design & the best way to access.

Being a proponent of Inclusion in the organization, reached out to the team who I knew, were working towards changing the infrastructure around to be more accessible \inclusive to all kinds of diverse people in the organization.

Narrated all my collective observations around the office premises to make it more friendly and was amazed at the detailing which was already prepared by the team to make changes in phases, yet the team was open enough to let me go through the list and add anything that’s missed. I am so proud of #SocieteGenerale #SGGSC to think ahead.

Wherever I went whether it’s the trip to Jaipur, the resort for BODHI program or my own Organization, I made sure I speak out to make the custodians understand the need for access to be viewed by the diverse people visiting them!

I still remember the powerful line which Guests of Honor made during Connexion2.0 event “If we don’t come out & celebrate our day with others, how will others learn to understand and apply their observation making the everyday experience more inclusive” whether it’s the pathways, office interiors, exteriors like bus stand, railway station, airlines, places of sightseeing, celebrations and most crucial Behaviour.

All in all, last year has been an experience, met different people & connected to different stories which has definitely left an impression from a different lens.. This became possible as people around me #ChooseToChallenge and act inclusive!

I thank them All !!

" Wear two different Shoes and see where they take you !! "