TOI KOLKATA: Jeeja Ghosh’s tale of adoption has given hope to several persons with disabilities that they, too, can become parents.Esha Kar, whose son Atananta has a rare disease called Rot Cone Dystrophy, considers Jeeja a beacon of hope. “There are various stages of disabilities. My son might not be in a position to get married and adopt, but I know of many who can do that,” said Kar, who runs a theatre group of which Jeeja is a part.While working with children with disabilities, Kar has come across some in the city who can be in relationships and, consequently, even take on the responsibility of becoming parents. “When I heard about Jeeja’s parenthood, I thought about two others I know who are open to relationships despite fighting their disorders. Kingshuk Chakraborty is one of them,” she said.Chakraborty, who has cerebral palsy , toldthat Jeeja’s story has inspired him since childhood. “She is a change-maker. I, too, decided to go to a normal school after seeing Jeeja-di. I went to Future Foundation and, subsequently, graduated in economics from Jadavpur University . Today, I run a business in software development,” he said. The 36-year-old isn’t married, but said he had girlfriends in college. “I am open to relationships and marriage. I, too, want to start a family. Jeeja-di’s decision to adopt has empowered me, too. Adoption is something a person should consider as a social responsibility, irrespective of whether he or she has a disability,” he said.Kar is also aware that Jeeja has been a “pillar of strength” for 38-yearold Sayomdeb Mukherjee, popularly known as “Den”. Mukherjee suffers from a very rare genetic disorder called Dopa Responsive Dystonia (DRD), and is wheelchair-bound. He has authored a book titled ‘Memoirs of Time’ and now works as the coordinator of Ankur advocacy and training unit of Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy. Three years ago, Mukherjee had a breakup. “I was supposed to get married but the girl backed off at the last moment. During that time, I was devastated,” Mukherjee said.That’s when he became close to Anantaa Ghosh.“He has been a family friend. He broke up on May 14 and on May 27, I proposed to him. Neither his disability nor our 16-year age difference come in the way of our relationship. He has been my friend and mentor. I am planning to marry him,” said Anantaa, who graduated from Shri Shikshayatan College this year.The couple also have plans to start a family. “I met Jeeja-di a year after being in a relationship. She is an inspiration. Either biologically or through adoption, we want to have kids too,” Anantaa said.

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