I was two years old when I contracted polio. When I was young, polio was not such a big problem; I used to limp a little but I could run and play football to a certain extent. As I grew bigger, the problem increased and soon it became very difficult for me to put weight on my leg.

That time marks the dividing line in my life. I was no longer able to do things I used to do before. Living with polio requires thinking ahead and adjusting your mental outlook to fit your physical limitations.

Now at 32, I drive a rickshaw to make a living. What I earn from the rickshaw keeps me going, but I’m sure things would have been different had it not been for polio.

In my time no one came to give me the polio drops. I am fortunate and made it through this disease whereas many did not. Now I see men and women trekking around the country to vaccinate children at their door steps. It is very unfortunate that children should suffer from a disease which can be

Fazal Khaliq
Rickshaw Driver
Karachi, Sindh Province