Unbroken

 UNBROKEN

MY FATHER’S JOURNEY OVER ADVERSITIES.

Life often presents us with a beautiful yet unpredictable journey, filled with moments that test our resolve and shape our character. It’s the story of one who, through unwavering determination and a profound acceptance of life’s twists, turn challenges into triumph. 

6th may 2017, my mother gets a call from an unknown number; it’s my father on the other side. He tells her, I’ve been run over by the train, both my legs are crushed, my mother brushes it off as a joke, but then she understands the seriousness. I could see her shiver and sweat, but what held us strong was the way our father was calm and determined that there will be a new way for him to overcome this. Though he was in a lot of pain, my father had managed to call a few of his friends and family who could be of great help. My mother and uncles left towards Bangalore as soon as they could, by the time my cousin and my father’s friends in Bangalore had managed to reach him with help. Ambulance could not reach him, but the Para medics somehow managed to reach him with a stretcher, I remember my father explaining how they had to scoop his legs on to it and he was removing and throwing the stones struck to them. He was given first aid in a government hospital, but his higher officials had decided to shift him to Hosmat hospital Bangalore, where he immediately underwent bilateral below knee amputation. I can’t forget my mother telling us how the doctors had explained them the extent of seriousness of the situation and the potential fatality, their heart used to skip a beat every time the speakers announced for an attendee. My father being a very socially engaged person, I still remember how one small request for blood, the whole hospital was flooded with his friends and colleagues for donation. My mother joyfully calls the next day, explaining how the doctors had explained the procedure went uneventfully and weaning off of anesthesia would take hours, but my dad woke up with in 2 hrs with completely normal vitals. Two days later, skin grafting was done to give the legs a cleaner finish. In the mean time we greatly appreciate the efforts of our cousin to gather all available information about prosthesis. It was a week later me and my sister were permitted to visit him, the next day he was home.

The journey of adapting to his new condition was not easy, to forget the old reflexes, muscle memory, took a hard time, the worst enemy to overcome were the phantom- legs . Extensive physiotherapy was of great help. Two months later, we approached Otto-bock for the prosthesis, who had already met us during the hospital stay and explained us about what, when and how to reach them next. My parents stayed at a friend’s house nearby and my father’s measurements were taken, the legs were ready and underwent Intensive training for a month. The day they returned, it was a joy to watch him walk normally, no one could differentiate his gait. With everyday self training he started to jog, run and in a few days we purchased a car modified it and he started driving it too. By September, he started going back to work.

Amidst all this, there was this hunger to do something else, which made him join rifle and pistol shooting. Luckily we found MDRA (Mysore District Rifle Shooting Association) very close to our house. Within few initial months of training, he won his first ever medal in national level event at Hubli, Karnataka, for 10mts Air rifle shooting in January. He then shifted to pistol. Till date he has won 18 medals, most of them gold. He is the eldest shooter of India.

Recognizing him, he was invited to share his journey by Ted-X Gokulam, Mysore. He said in it, Acceptance and belief are the two unambiguous words in life. There cannot be “I cannot” in anybody’s life, it is just the will power, determination and hard work that helps one gain anything they desire. He goes on small treks, climbs hills, comfortable in different terrains. Though he is 58, his perseverance is commendable.

Every day when I see my father up early, exercise, commutes to office, comes back and practices daily, it also motivates us to envision on a grand scale. If there is dedication, hard work, all it needs is acceptance of the situation and modifying life in a way our weakness becomes our strength. Even with adversities, one can find strength to move on. Believe that there are limitless possibilities lying ahead. Undetermined mind set becomes canvas for new beginnings, personal growth and profound realization that every moment is an opportunity to thrive.

Remember, resilience isn’t just about bouncing back; it’s about forging ahead, stronger and wiser, despite life’s trials. It’s in the persistence to chase dreams, the courage to face setbacks, and the grace to embrace change.