ABSTRACT
The people with psychosocial disabilities in India had begun asking themselves, who they really were. The system had traumatised them so much that they lacked a sense of identity. Women who became hysterical or schizophrenic supposedly did so because they refused to accept these God-given, God-ordained roles. This chapter presents Lavanya Seshasayee's story. Lavanya's story is a good illustration of the importance of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities' (CRPD) paradigm shift from control to self-determination. Lavanya's parents were in control of the money and could decide to terminate her course at college without her consent. The Personal Ombudsman is recognised by international bodies as a good example on supported decision-making – in accordance with Article 12(3) CRPD. If something like the Swedish Personal Ombudsman system is implemented in India, Lavanya's peers can avoid being stuck in similar, locked situations.
