Nisha Batra

Transcript

Every day I share stories with young children. Tonight I want to share a part of my story with you. The tape measure just wrapped around my waist. I remember looking forward to trying on the outfit, imagining how we would perform at the dance competition with the university team. It wasn't just a competition. These were my friends. Then I came home, and the bell rang. The voice on the other end was cold. Nisho, are you sitting down? The ground disappeared from under my feet.

I was kicked out of the dance team. No explanations, no discussions, no logical conclusion. Because of my disability, I did n't move the way they did. I didn't fit into their rigid pattern of symmetry. In one moment, I was rejected just for being different. I thought that university was a place where people would be understanding and open. I felt like I was just worthless. In my most difficult moments, I felt like the world would be better off without me. But luckily, friends and family helped me persevere.

And I kept recalling a childhood memory: an elementary school teacher telling my mother: "Don't worry, she will become a beautiful swan." As a neurodiverse adult, I have made this my inner mantra —the swan transformation. I'm tired of waiting for approval from outside. The system required me to adapt, but I no longer wanted to be someone's swan. It meant living at your own pace. My first university degree was in history. It was really important, but I got it for my father. I am so grateful that he lived to see me graduate before passing away.

But today I'm back at university, studying disability, and this is my own decision. This diploma is for me. I also teach children to dance their own dance. Every day as a teacher, I see children in my group overcome barriers that were not created for them. And I make sure they know: they are valuable just the way they are. I take the same barriers that once pushed me away and turn them into my life's purpose through inclusive activities. And the world noticed it.

I recently received the Coronation Medal from King Charles III for my human rights work. Another result of me embracing my rhythm was meeting someone who keeps up with me —my partner Paul. When we decided to celebrate our relationship, we chose dancing. Paul is blind, and because of my disability, I move differently. I couldn't just show him the choreography. Instead, we had to discuss each step, turning rhythm into words and words into movements. When we went out onto our dance floor, no one was keeping score.

No one appreciated our symmetry. Paul couldn't see my movements, but he saw me. He didn't ask me to change. He simply adjusted his step to match mine. Together we created a dance floor where difference was not just accepted, it was celebrated. To anyone who has ever been told they don't fit in, who has been pushed away because of their difference, look at me. Your rhythm is not broken. Your movements belong only to you. So don't give up, because you are worth it.

Transcript generated from the recording and lightly cleaned. Some names and wording may differ from the spoken speech.