“It is amazing,” Nalini said about being in the United States. “I feel that they think about us. They think about even the minority in disabled people. I feel I should respect this nation, because they respect me.”

For Nalini, walking down the street solicits stares. People gawk and crowds form. Walk by a school? Forget about it.

“Normal people don’t understand our feelings,” she said. “They will just see us as a new species. They just laugh. I think the attitude of people should also change.”

Her office, NHBC sponsored her trip to India. Without the funds, there would have been no way for Nalini to attend the games, and she said she is grateful for the opportunity to bring laurels to her nation and her office. Nalini competed in track and field events.

“I feel proud,” she said.