Image Source: Moin Junnedi(Facebook)
Moin Junnedi’s success story despite the odds that were stacked against him is the kind of inspirational story which will get your heart pumping fast and probably will wet your eyes too. 18-year-old Belgaum boy Moin is a champion swimmer. He has represented India on numerous occasions internationally and has won many laurels for the country.
What makes Moin’s feat very special?
Born to Musthaq Junaidi and Kousar Banu, Moin suffers from a rare inborn disease that causes zero-bone calcium called Osteogenesis Imperfecta. The disease has made Moin’s bones so soft that even the gentlest tap would cause fractures. Moin can neither stand nor can hold anything in his hands. Moin suffered from his first fracture when he was nine months old. At the tender age of two, he had 50 fractures. The doctors, India and abroad failed to diagnose the disease. Disheartened and broken, his parents stopped consulting doctors after spending lakhs of rupees. After every school refused to admit him to their school, her mother started home tutoring him. While Moin’s tender fingers cannot hold a pen but he can read. One day by chance he happened to meet an MLA at a function. the MLA was deeply moved by his impressing attitude and aptitude and he immediately gifted him a laptop. Now, Moin can now write using the laptop.
A meeting that would seal his destiny
Moin then met Umesh Kalghatgi, a swimming coach, at the Belgaum City Corporation pool. After spotting the potential in him, Umesh offered to train him. Initially reluctant, his family later accepted the proposal. Moin soon became a quality swimmer and can swim for more than an hour.It all went uphill from then on. Moin has participated in 1 International and 5 National Swimming Competitions for the Disabled and won 11 medals comprising 10 Gold and 1 Silver Medal. Moin has also been to South America and England representing India in various Paralympics events. The Karnataka government recently recognised his achievement by honouring him on the World Disability Day.
Moin – The Record Breaker
An ardent fan of cricket, Moin adores Mahendra Singh Dhoni and is a huge fan of Shah Rukh Khan. Junnedi has made it to the India book of records as the “youngest swimmer with Locomotive disability”. Apart from that, he has been awarded various awards from different organisations including many cash prizes & TV felicitations.
With physical disability and millions of obstacles in his path, Moin has led a normal life and inspired a lot of physically impaired people to pursue their goals. He wishes to win a gold medal for India in the upcoming Paralympic Games in 2016.
The Logical Indian applauds Moin for all what he has achieved and we wish him much more success in the future. We urge the government and the community to not overlook people because of the challenges they face physically, some overcome the challenges to achieving spectacular things just like Moin did.
