Navigating disability, domestic violence & climate crisis in a Delhi slum

In the narrow, winding lanes of a Delhi slum, where the sun is relentless and the ground is scorched, a story unfolds — one that many will find hard to grasp let alone endure.

I grew up in these sweltering corners, living with dyslexia, dyspraxia, and a stammer, all while being the lifeline for my chronically ill mother. 

We’ve survived domestic violence, yes, but we’re also survivors of an increasingly hostile world — socially, environmentally, and mentally. 

When environmental crises devastate lives

You may read about the heatwaves or monsoon floods, but do you feel them?

Can you feel the sweat trickling down your spine as you desperately search for a drop of water?

Can you sense the despair, almost tangible, as you watch your mother’s health deteriorate with each passing minute? 

Living through a Delhi heatwave, in a fragile home with no escape from the oppressive heat, feels like being trapped in an oven. The sun becomes an unforgiving foe, and the air turns into a suffocating shroud. 

During one unbearable summer, our neighbourhood faced an acute water crisis.

Imagine being parched but having not a single drop to drink. Every breath became a laborious task; each moment felt endless. 

My mother’s existing health issues worsened terribly. Dehydration ravaged her body, while her chronic ailments flared up with newfound intensity.

As for me, the heatwaves weren’t just a weather event; they were a neurological, physiological, and psychological disaster. 

My dyspraxia symptoms intensified, making everyday tasks — like lifting a glass of water — an exhausting struggle. The constant stress and anxiety from watching my mother suffer and feeling helpless to alleviate her pain took a severe toll on my mental health, leading to heightened levels of stress and anxiety. 

Dealing with a broken healthcare system

When you’re fighting to save a loved one’s life while also grappling with disabilities, every second feels like an eternity. 

The journey to the hospital was a nightmare.

Public hospitals were our only hope, but they were dreadful. Doctors and nurses did their best but were woefully under-equipped to handle the flood of patients. 

Can you fathom the helplessness I felt when I stammered while trying to explain my mother’s rapidly worsening condition? 

Time and again, I was met with impatient stares or pitying glances, neither of which helped our dire situation. The agony of being trapped in that atmosphere — where you’re just a number, a statistic — is indescribable. 

The urgent need for climate-resilient, inclusive healthcare

Here’s the gut-wrenching truth: if healthcare infrastructure continues to ignore the heightened vulnerabilities of people with disabilities, we’re not just failing as a society; we’re perpetuating suffering and loss. 

Our healthcare systems need to be fortified with climate-resilient policies and infrastructures. Wheelchair ramps and Braille signage aren’t luxuries; they’re necessities.

Doctors need training to understand the unique challenges that environmental disasters pose to individuals with disabilities. 

It’s not just about ramps and signs; it’s about creating a space where the most vulnerable can feel safe, especially when the world outside is falling apart. 

Statistics highlighting the impact

According to a 2021 climate report heat waves will last 25 times longer 2036 through 2065 in India if emissions push towards a global temperature rise of 4°C under business-as-usual global emission scenarios. 

The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change reports that annual heat-related mortality of people older than 65 years is projected to increase by 370% above 1995 – 2014 levels by 2041 – 60 under a scenario compatible with limiting global temperature rise to 2°C, and by 433% under a scenario in which no further mitigation occurs, assuming no further adaptation.

By 2081 – 2100, these mortality levels are projected to increase by 683% and 1537% for the two scenarios, respectively.

According to this Indian Express article, in Delhi, the world is most likely to temporarily breach the 1.5 degree Celsius limit in the next five years. Each year between 2024 and 2028 is predicted to be between 1.1 degree Celsius and 1.9 degree Celsius higher than the pre-industrial average.

Specific healthcare system gaps 

The public healthcare system in Delhi, and much of India, is severely underfunded. Hospitals often lack essential medical supplies and have insufficient staff to handle patient inflows. 

For people with disabilities, the challenges are even more pronounced. There are limited provisions for accessible healthcare facilities, and medical staff often lack training in disability-inclusive practices.

For instance, during our hospital visits, we encountered long waiting times and inadequate attention to my mother's specific health needs. The lack of air conditioning in many public hospitals exacerbates heat stress for patients and staff alike. 

Moreover, the absence of accessible communication tools, such as sign language interpreters or text-to-speech devices, creates additional barriers for people with disabilities. 

Concrete steps for addressing healthcare gaps 

• Investment in infrastructure: Increase funding for public healthcare to improve infrastructure, ensuring hospitals are equipped to handle extreme weather conditions. This includes air conditioning, adequate water supply, and accessible facilities. 
  

• Training for healthcare professionals: Implement comprehensive training programs for healthcare workers on disability-inclusive practices and climate resilience. 
  

• Accessible communication: Develop and deploy accessible communication tools in hospitals, such as sign language interpreters and text-to-speech devices, to aid patients with disabilities. 
  

• Community outreach: Establish community health programs to educate residents about coping mechanisms during extreme weather events and to provide first-response medical aid. 
  

Potential measures for climate action 

• Urban planning: Develop urban areas with better heat mitigation strategies, such as green spaces, reflective roofing, and improved water management systems. 
  

• Early warning systems: Enhance early warning systems for heatwaves and floods to give vulnerable communities ample time to prepare and evacuate if necessary. 
  

• Sustainable practices: Promote sustainable agricultural and industrial practices to reduce the urban heat island effect and ensure a stable water supply. 
  

• Policy advocacy: Advocate for policies that prioritise climate resilience in healthcare planning and funding. 
  

More than just numbers 

Statistics can be cold and detached, but stories like mine are filled with raw emotion.

The vulnerability, the desperation, the feeling of being caught in an unending cycle of despair — they bring a certain urgency that numbers alone cannot. 

So here it is, a candid snapshot of what it’s like to live at the devastating intersection of 

disability and climate-induced healthcare challenges. 

It’s a cry from the depths of my soul and from the hearts of countless others, who, like my mother and me, are battling more than just social and economic disparities. 

As we desperately seek solutions for climate change, let’s remember that the first step towards true climate justice is acknowledging and acting upon the exacerbated healthcare challenges faced by the disabled and vulnerable. 

Let’s strive to build healthcare ecosystems where no one is left to suffer, simply because of who they are or where they come from. The battles we fight today go beyond us; they’re a plea to humanity to wake up, take notice, and act — before it’s too late.

Puneet Singh is a disability inclusion advocate and an accessibility professional. He is a person with dyslexia, dyspraxia and stammering. He is the co-founder of Billion Strong, curator of Green Disability and a Bevisioneers fellow. 

Connect with him on LinkedIn.