Source: Humans of Bombay

“My parents found out I had progeria when I was 1 year old, but they continued to give me a normal lifestyle. Like any other child, I went to school everyday, played with my classmates and did my homework.

When I was in the 4th standard and the movie Paa released, my classmates began teasing me and calling me Auro — I felt terrible at that point, so I came home and told my parents. My dad told me to tell them ‘to chill’ and that ‘i’m special’ – so I did. I don’t blame those who don’t understand me, they like me are children after all.

I don’t go to school often now but I have a lot of friends – we play cricket together in the evening. I’m fascinated with Robots, so I keep researching on them and playing with the Robot toys I have– hopefully someday I’ll make one of my own too. I love to paint as well, so I paint all day and do things that make me happy. I have a bucket list. I want to go to Disneyland and my father says we’re going soon!

I want to see the Honda Asimo Robot and I hope that will happen quickly too. I want to meet Aamir Khan and thank him for the movie Tare Zameen Par which gave me courage–but there’s not much progress on that one yet!

To be honest I don’t know much about the illness I have, except that I have the rare power of being young and old at the same time. That makes me believe that I can send a message to people.

A message that life can go by quickly and that each day is more valuable than the next. I also believe that everything happens for a reason and I’m happy everyday. The way I look at it I’ve been given a finite time to do everything I love every single day without fear. Above all, I hope that people know that our time here is special and life is incredibly beautiful in every single way.”