“I was a happy go lucky kid with a wonderful family but I was not quite prepared for what transpired in my 4th grade. As someone who loved dancing, I started developing severe muscular pains. It grew to a point where I couldn’t go to school too at a certain point and upon consulting our doctor, we came to know that I was suffering from a medical condition. I was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and the prognosis came as a huge shocker to all of us. We immediately set out to try different allopathic as well as ayurvedic medicines. As the years progressed, it was a high and low ride through life.

In my 10th grade, the muscle pain became too severe and once again, we were left completely uncertain about the situation but within a short span of two years, I moved into a wheelchair permanently. After my 12th, I needed to take a break year to assess the best course of action forward so with the help of my friend, who is also my neighbour, I started learning digital drawing. I remember practicing art from a very young age but as my hands failed me, I devoted all my time learning all about illustrations.

So at the end of a year, having some confidence in myself, I enrolled in a BBA program while my friend enrolled for a different course in the same college. The college staff were extremely helpful and helped me by setting up ramps; the college years whizzed past and I also completed my masters in the same college. Through these years, I started attending different cultural programs. As I had learnt classical music as a kid, I was able to earn a name as a singer as well. Once I finished masters, I started to work as an accountant with a company based out of India. In the meanwhile, I also got the opportunity to illustrate for a music album named Olangal which was unveiled by the musical legend Ilayaraja sir. And my paintings have been exhibited in an art exhibition in Italy three consecutives times and even went on to win a people’s choice award. I have also illustrated a book written by Fr. Santhosh Charanthottiyil.

I have seen difficulties of all shapes and forms. In the final years of my college, my father suffered from a brain stroke and suffered from paralysis in certain places in the body. But we have moved together as a family and today, I am happy to have all these opportunities that make their way to me. One should always learn to move through life with all its ups and downs equally; every small win and every obstacle overcome is definitely a cause for celebration because, once we learn to tackle the smaller troubles, we will have the courage to tackle the bigger obstacles as well.”

#MuscularDystrophy #Awareness #Support #Hardships #Life #Family #health #madras #humansofmadras