LIFE IS WORTH GIVING A SHOT, EVEN ON A WHEELCHAIR!

Rahul was born with seven fractures in his left leg!

A mere fledgling, he became a medical conundrum at the local hospital where he was born. A series of complicated tests revealed that Rahul suffered from Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), a genetic disorder that causes weak bones that break easily. Rahul is now 26 years old and has suffered about 100 fractures in his lifetime. He cannot walk and has to move around on a wheelchair. But, the disability has not deterred Rahul from aiming at the stars. Rahul’s enthusiasm and his zest for life is contagious and a source of inspiration to many.

Eight years ago when I first entered Rahul’s class, I spotted him sitting smugly at the end of a row. His cherubic face had a mischievous smile and his eyes glinted under a set of thick spectacles. In a couple of days Rahul became the favourite of his teachers as well as his peers. The teachers commended him for his sharp brains and the peers looked forward to his witty one-liners. Rahul was chauffeured to college and I observed the dedication with which his mother performed her duty towards her beloved child. After the driver would park the car in college campus, he would bring out his electronically operated wheelchair from the boot. Rahul’s mom, then, would pick him up with utmost care, in her arms, and place him on the wheelchair, like a piece of fragile glass, to avoid any undue pressure on Rahul’s bones that might lead to another fracture.

The day when Rahul compered the Commerce Fest in college was probably the happiest day of all for everyone in the campus. During the Annual Talent show, when Rahul won a number of awards and accolades, his mother wept inconsolably when she was invited on stage to share the honour with her son who looked nothing less than a ‘Star’ in a bow-tie and a Fedora hat. The audience gave him a standing ovation for not less than 10 minutes straight.

Braving his physically challenging state, Rahul learnt to swim 10 feet underwater. Unfortunately, he had to give up the hobby after he had a fracture in the pool. Rahul was awarded by the Ministry of Education for his meritorious result in 10^th and 12^th standard. After completing his graduation in 2017 Rahul went on to pursue his masters. Today, he has a Blog of his own, dabbles not only in painting and sketching but also in poetry. In a recently held literature festival, Rahul bowled over not only the panelists but also his audience with out-of-the-box ideas and practical approach towards life. If you insist, Rahul can also oblige you by showing a couple of dance moves through beautiful hand gestures and facial expressions!

Rahul now lives in Zirakpur (Mohali, Punjab) with his mother and elder brother and spends most of his time in a local library preparing for his upcoming civil services’ exam. He aspires to be an IAS officer and has had a few unsuccessful attempts till now, mostly due to lack of proper coaching. Whatever institute he tried to reach out to, turned out to be ‘disable unfriendly’. However, every failure has made him more determined towards his life goal. Rahul’s aim in life is to spread awareness about OI (Osteogenesis Imperfecta) and serve the people. Rahul also wants to sensitize people towards disability and yearns for a more inclusive society.

An ever-smiling and cheerful personality, Rahul is an inspiration to one and all. Whenever I feel life is a bit rough, I think of Rahul and an instant thought brightens my day– Life is worth giving a shot, even on a wheelchair!

The PICTURE says it all.