From the memoir: Star para-athlete Deepa Malik recounts the discrimination she faced at the airport

We were all fighting our own battles at the FESPIC Games [Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled]. I struggled with mobility. I had no one to wheel me around and my wheelchair was too heavy for me to manoeuvre it on my own.

Hitesh had been a great help till we arrived in Kuala Lumpur. But his coach did not deem it appropriate for him to be my wheelchair pusher, arguing that pushing my chair would fatigue the muscles he needed for his own field event. All the athletes had to look out for themselves, he said, delivering a spiel about a boy who had lost his chance at a medal at a previous international meet in Rio because he had tired himself out by pushing someone else.

My mental strength had lasted a long time, but now, I had reached breaking point. I felt so totally alone and helpless. In tears, I had a showdown with my coach and accused him of not taking care of me or helping me.

Word of our exchange spread among the Indian contingent. During one dinner, I had met Sukhbir Masterji from Bhiwani. We had connected as my cousin was married to the niece of former…

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