Tandin's Map Story

Matthew Schuelka

Tandin lives in Thimphu, the capital city and largest urban area in Bhutan. He is in professional training in Badminton and also sells goods as a mobile street vendor. As a wheelchair user, Tandin must navigate the challenging terrain of Bhutan; terrain that is both naturally and artificially difficult.

Tandin's personal locations are not exact for the sake of his privacy. Some public locations are given with more accuracy.

My home

I live in Thimphu, but some distance from the center of the city. (Note: This is not the exact location)

Travelling

Getting anywhere in Thimphu takes a lot of work for a wheelchair user like me.

Getting a ride

This is how I get into the city center of Thimphu when I need it.

Picking up my medications and medical supplies

I need to regularly get medical items from the National Referral Hospital. Living in Thimphu is the best place for my health needs.

Badminton training

I have been training with the Bhutan Badminton Federation for the past 8 months. I hope to represent Bhutan in the Paralympics in the near future.

Selling

My temporary work. I sell handicrafts (jutebag, file cover, purse etc.) going from place to place, shops to shops, and office to office. This work was given to me by the owner of Hotel Nirmal, who has a handicraft business. I was also given the opportunity to work as a receptionist for a month in Hotel Nirmal. I could not continue the job because I could not manage my time between the job, my badminton training, and my regular check-ups at the hospital. I sell goods with a couple of friends.

My home

I live in Thimphu, but some distance from the center of the city. (Note: This is not the exact location)

Travelling

Getting anywhere in Thimphu takes a lot of work for a wheelchair user like me.

Getting a ride

This is how I get into the city center of Thimphu when I need it.

Picking up my medications and medical supplies

I need to regularly get medical items from the National Referral Hospital. Living in Thimphu is the best place for my health needs.

Badminton training

I have been training with the Bhutan Badminton Federation for the past 8 months. I hope to represent Bhutan in the Paralympics in the near future.

Selling

My temporary work. I sell handicrafts (jutebag, file cover, purse etc.) going from place to place, shops to shops, and office to office. This work was given to me by the owner of Hotel Nirmal, who has a handicraft business. I was also given the opportunity to work as a receptionist for a month in Hotel Nirmal. I could not continue the job because I could not manage my time between the job, my badminton training, and my regular check-ups at the hospital. I sell goods with a couple of friends.