This feature story was orignally published by Equitas Microfinance, a CFI partner that has collaborated on our Financial Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities program. Click here for more stories on disability inclusion from India. 

Dhanalakshmi was not born blind. She was badly burnt and lost her vision when her husband poured acid over Dhanalakshmi, her two sisters and mother, 23 years ago. While her sisters recovered with minor injuries, got married, and have families of their own, Dhanalakshmi lost her vision and sustained major burns on the right-hand side. Constrained by her disability, she confined herself to her home for many years.

Four years ago she joined Equitas as a member. She availed a small loan and started her garments business. She currently buys clothes from the wholesaler and goes door-to-door to sell them. The group has fully included her by using very simple accommodation measures (like reciting the MFI pledge aloud, taking turns to assist her to attend the meeting, etc).

This has given her the confidence and the ability to support herself and her mother financially. Along with economic independence, she has also been socially accepted by people around her. She has adopted her sister’s daughter and with her help is currently trying to make her business grow.