No Looking Back

by Shivani Gupta

Twenty-two-year-old Shivani had thrown a party one evening and awoken the next morning in hospital, her spine and her dreams shattered by a car crash.

Paralysed and then wheelchair-bound, it took Shivani years of pain, struggle and determination to regain control of her life and her body; to demand and receive respect from the world; to gain acceptance from within and without; to find love and happiness.

Then tragedy struck again. As the newly married Shivani drove to Manali with her family, an oil tanker collided head-on with the car; bedridden once again, she watched helplessly as first her father-in-law and then Vikas, her husband, succumbed to their injuries. And, yet, Shivani refused to surrender she would not let her inability to walk keep her from achieving her ambitions.

No Looking Back is a deeply moving and inspiring narrative about surviving the challenges of disability in a country that takes little account of the daily difficulties and indignities faced by approximately fifteen per cent of the world s population, whether in terms of infrastructure, legislation or awareness a country that appears to believe that disability equals invisibility from the public discourse. Undeterred by the hand fate had dealt her, Shivani Gupta has chosen to champion the cause of the disabled everywhere and is today one of India s best-known accessibility consultants. Her life is an extraordinary testament to true courage and the indomitability of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds.

246 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Tarini Mohan · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘No Looking Back’ by Shivani Gupta is a poignant memoir that deeply resonated with me. Gupta skillfully weaves a life of noteworthy, tumultuous events into a compelling narrative, demonstrating her ability to condense a complex journey with the end reader in mind. The memoir puts the concept of loss into perspective, allowing readers to attribute their own interpretations of life’s meaning to their own philosophy of life. While the memoir excels in showing rather than telling, delving into loss as a concept, a bit more direct insight into the human experience would have enhanced the narrative. Nonetheless, Shivani Gupta delivers a captivating, thought-provoking read—one that inspires action.
This story will, undoubtedly, stay with me for a long time to come. Hats off to the author.

[Sucharita · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moving and very inspiring story of Shivani who became a tetraplegic after an accident at the age of 22. The book chronicles her journey, starting from the hospital bed to her struggle to lead an independent life. Shivani discovers an interest and passion for helping to make the environment more accessible for persons with disabilities, finds the love of her life, goes on to found Access Ability along with her husband and is recognised with many awards for her achievements. What I really find inspiring is that despite many heart breaking incidents in her life, never gives up and keeps on moving forward.

[Indiabookstore · Rating 4 out of 5]

She typed this book with just one finger…. as it was the only one usable after the second accident. Read the full review: http://www.indiabookstore.net/bookish...

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very thought provoking book for me. Inspires to learn and do what one believes in.