BREAKING THE NORMS OF CEREBAL PALSY

DR. NAMAN AGARWAL

I was born on a festival Rakhi, ie., 4th August 2001 blessed with a twin sister.

I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at the age of 8 months. My life changed completely as I was different from normal children & my physiotherapy started from that early age. I had problem in my nervous system in the area which controls muscles and squint appeared as a byproduct.

At the age of 2 years, I was fortunate to meet my Orthopedic surgeon who looks after my overall development and tightness related issues of legs. I had regular check-ups, botox injections and plasters to release the tightness & was under observation regarding the progress over long period of time. Regular eye check-ups were also done in order to monitor eyes related problems. I was advised to wear eye glasses.

I faced difficulties when it came to education. Most of my family members opposed the idea of sending me to normal school. But it was my physiotherapist who convinced my parents and I started schooling.

At the age of 5 when I started schooling in Delhi Public School Agra, children looked at me differently as I was not like other children. Teachers were cooperative and they supported me to best of their capacities. But I had no friends till 10th standard, probably they thought that I was not worth to be called a friend or share their private life with me. I was confined to a classmate who would help me in academic activities with sympathetic attitude. This kind of attitude eventually gave rise to insecurities and self-doubts during this phase of life.

When I came to 11th class, I turned to be extrovert person and my classmates started paying attention that I craved for so many years. I also developed good bonds of friendship which are still there with me and hopefully will remain intact for the rest of my life. This gave me tremendous happiness and the feeling of fulfilment and satisfaction.

Despite facing all the challenges in reading and writing during my initial phase of education, in the year 2019 I passed out my 12th class (CBSE board) in commerce stream with flying result. I scored overall 85% and was a subject topper in entrepreneurship scoring 99 marks, which was possible due to my hard work and Lord Krishna’s blessings. I was elated with my performance as I would do my exercises on a daily apart from my academic studies

In 2020, I was very fortunate to have come across my brother who provides me spiritual knowledge. After knowing about life from a different dimension (spiritual point), my efforts became more focused resulting in calmness and positivity started coming into my life.

Then I completed Bachelors of Business Administration from St Johns’ College Agra with 1st division in 2022.

Recently on 10th June 2023, I underwent surgery for both my lower extremities and was bedridden for 4 months. The road to recovery was quite tough and many unwanted thoughts kept creeping in my mind about my future but I had an unwavering support of my doctors, family and friends along with my inner motivation that kept me moving along the way and helped me overcoming it with ease.

The results of my surgery were quite amazing. My knees are completely straight now and I am able to stand for longer duration with minimal efforts. I had to bear a lot of pain during my initial days of physiotherapy after plaster removal. But I was convinced to go ahead for surgery in the hope that I would look like normal child so I invested my time and efforts accordingly and will continue to do so.

I’m pursuing my Masters of Business Administration from Dayalbagh Educational Institute which is the best college of Agra by merit which was a great achievement for me.

I wish become a successful business man and carry forward my father’s legacy and help the business grow and prosper in the future. I genuinely want my parents to be proud of me and sincerely wish my parents to be called by my name in future. I want to give my parents the best possible life like the best facilities that they have given me since my childhood.

Hard work and God’s blessings are keys to success for any individual. I am very grateful to have almighty blessings in abundance. I have come a long way but there is still a very long way to go. I have to prove a lot of things to myself, not to anyone else and will keep striving towards it.