My Story

My Story: ‘Giving Up Never Was Never An Option For Me’

July 11, 2021

Emelda Gomez, a graphic designer, faced massive salary cuts after the first wave of COVID struck the world. She started exploring for alternative sources of income when she stumbled upon home-baking. Now, she manages both her job and her home-baking business.

My Story: ‘I Realized That My One Small Step Is Going To Make A Huge Difference’

July 8, 2021

In 2017, Midhun registered as a potential blood stem cell donor. Cut to May 2020 and he received a call about being a match for a blood cancer patient. Just before he was slated to travel to Bengaluru for the procedure, he came down with COVID but refused to be bogged down by it. After making a full recovery, he finally made the journey from Kerala for the procedure.

My Story: ‘Beating Cancer Is Hard, I Have Done It Six Times’

July 6, 2021

M Jayant Kandoi, a 23-year-old boy from Ajmer, is the only person in India who has defeated cancer six times. Jayant is pursuing MBA and has written three books, launched two start-ups. He runs his NGO where cancer patients are given all possible help,

My Story: From Working At Microsoft To A Self Taught Calligrapher, Life Has Come A Long Way

July 3, 2021

Mehreen Noor Rather, a 25-year-old, hailing from the capital city of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, has been doing calligraphy since the last one year. Her childhood passion for calligraphy has translated her passion for art and calligraphy into a commercial venture.

My Story: ‘Disability Couldn’t Define My Life Negatively, I Used Adversity For Innovation’

July 2, 2021

Arshad Ahmad Pandith was hit by three bullets in his spinal cord, in the year 1995, which left him paraplegic for a lifetime. Today, Arshad works at the Advanced Centre For Human Genetics, SKIMS, drives his own car, and instills hope in the young generation.

My Story: ‘Blue-Collar Workers Are Superheroes. Our Turn To Support Them’

June 28, 2021

Suyash Jain, who is an entrepreneur, started the ‘Feeding Ones In Need’ initiative to help blue-collar workers’ families by providing them ration kits during the second wave. Jain has been awarded ‘Humanitarian Award 2021’ by Global Mental Health Association (USA).

My Story: ‘Disabilities Exist Only In Our Minds And Not Bodies’

June 27, 2021

From being unable to walk 50 steps in one go, Jaishree Shinde now runs marathons with crutches. She has been an inspiration to people who think that physical disabilities can define one’s mental ability.

My Story: ‘When Others Called Me Handicapped, I Assumed They Were Mistaken’

June 15, 2021

Sumit Agarwal was born with cerebral palsy. His parents had to run from post to pillar to get him admitted in school and ensure that he receives education among others of his age. With time, he learnt more about his impairment and realized he could accomplish anything that he aspires. Now, he runs a successful PR firm and wants to make workplaces more inclusive.

My Story: ‘Adversity Does Not Discriminate, We Need To Train Our Mind Through Resilience, Patience & Resolve’

May 29, 2021

Roshan Mathew wanted to join the Indian Army. After completing his basic military training, he was moving on to the second leg of the process when he sustained an injury during an obstacle course and had a compound fracture on his left arm and a dislocated elbow. He had to let go of that dream but he braved odds to recover in a while and is currently attending college to complete his education.

My Story: “Our Condition Is Like Cabin Crew Of Plane On Verge Of Crash While Pilot Is Sleeping”

May 27, 2021

Dr Jagriti Varshney has been working on the frontline since the pandemic situation began. She says that as doctors they are doing as much as they can to help the situation. Staying away from their families, putting the interest of our patients above anything else; the journey has not been easy so far. She requests everyone to follow COVID related norms and stay vigilant.

My Story: ‘Dad Faces Risk Of An Infection Every Hour Treating Patients At The Hospital’

May 24, 2021

He hasn’t had any days off. Half a day, on a Sunday, is the most he can get. He does not get to repair his spectacles that have become loose and need tightening or get his hair cut. His greys are more noticeable than they were a year ago. The most we can do as a family for him, is feed him a hearty breakfast before the grind begins and ensure that he gets his sleep at night, which on occasions get disturbed by emergency phone calls.

My Story: “Whether It’s Waterlogging, Cyclone Or Pandemic, I Never Hesitate To Step Out To Do My Duty”

May 24, 2021

Hemanshi Kamani works as a freelance photojournalist with Reuters. She is one out of the six females working as a photojournalist in print media in Mumbai. As the nature of her work assignment demands her to be out on the field, she is constantly hustling. However, she is now used to the nature of her work and wants that photojournalists should also be treated as frontline workers.

My Story

Real-life, first-person accounts that remind us every human has a story to tell, experiences to share, and actions to inspire.

My Story: ‘I Have Never Let My Disability Define Me Or Hold Me Back’

Chaitanya Mukund has cerebral palsy. He is a model who made his debut in 2018 at an event with the Guinness Book Of World Records for The Most Designer To Present In A Single Fashion Show.

My Story: ‘My Speech Was Delayed Because Of My Autism Diagnosis’

Usaid Shaikh is a graphic designer, video editor and animator from Mumbai. He is currently doing an internship with McCann Erickson India Pvt Ltd and he has always been inclined towards creativity. All-rounder Usaid is also a singer, drummer, dancer, pianist and keyboard player. He also loves poetry recitation, and rapping and is also an aspiring filmmaker.

My Story: ‘Stone Painting Made Me Financially Independent & Overcome My Issues’

Nehal Tiwari was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder when she was a child. Her parents were worried about her leading a normal life. She started to learn painting and later it made her financially independent. Her work has received recognition at the state and national level.

My Story: ‘Postnatal Depression Took A Toll On Me, But I Did Not Want Mothers Like Me To Go Unheard’

38-year-old Priyanka Kapur was lost in the dark when she was affected by postpartum depression after her daughter's birth. Having overcome depression after a year, she decided to create a safe space for mothers like her.

My Story: ‘Despite Autism Given Speech Difficulties, I Found My Calling In Music & Won The National Award Thrice’

Autism is said to be a lifelong disorder, but it does not mean that it should bring a halt to achieving our dreams. Benzy Kumar is one such inspirational individual who found music to be her forte despite speech difficulties, and worked towards building her career as a musician.

My Story: ‘My Child’s Diagnosis Moved Me To Build First Ever Clinic For FX Syndrome & Educate Parents About Neurodivergence’

Veena Naren, mother of 22-year-old Varun, has been creating awareness among parents about the Fragile X syndrome and breaking gender biases associated with disorders. Her constant motivation and support enabled her son to build successful entrepreneurial ventures.

My Story: ‘People Get Uncomfortable When I Joke About My Disability, But I Continue To Take The Bitter Reality To Them’

Sweta Mantrii, a differently-abled standup comedian has been taking her experience as a disabled individual, to a crowd that has attached stigma and stereotypes to people with disabilities. Through the medium of comedy, she conveys a very important message that everyone needs to hear.

My Story: ‘Despite Life With Disability Being Tough, I Chose To Believe In Myself & That Made All The Change’

An accident enroute to her basketball match, had left Shagun Pathak with a motor disability. How she reeled out of it and built her success is a story that inspires thousands today.

My Story: ‘My Disorder Deteriorates With Time, But I Did Not Let It Deteriorate My Spirit’

Sachin Shetty is a banker by profession and a dancer and actor by passion. Despite his motor disability, he strongly believes that nothing is impossible and that any door would open if you have a little faith in yourself.

My Story: ‘My Family Believes I Am A Person With Exceptional Ability’

Alankar Gupta is a self-taught artist. Being a person with down syndrome, he never found his disability in the way of his art. Now, he makes paintings using fluid art and dreams of opening an art studio one day.

My Story: ‘I Could Not Speak, But My Painting Spoke With Many People’

Ajay Garg met with an accident when he was just three and it led to significant hearing loss. But he never let it come in way of his painting. His positive approach in the face of difficulties is an inspiration for many.

My Story: ‘After Leaving My Permanent Government Job, I Became An Entrepreneur At Age 56’

Nishtha Suri, from Haryana, has been interested in various art forms since childhood, but it remained a mere hobby for a long time. To meet expectations, she had to work as a school teacher but continued with her art whenever she got time.

My Story:’My Mother Even Studied Braille To Help Me With Schooling’

Shibani Ghosh was diagnosed with hearing impairment at a young age. Her parents always received comments on her speech and behaviour. Although, she found her passion in singing and now has turned into a singer.

My Story: ‘I Had To Select A Profession Which Would Allow Me To Work In An Accessible & Inclusive Environment’

Over the years I have performed over a hundred shows at various festivals and events across India and the world. I have been to the US and Europe. I have also won prizes and awards. I secured the second position at World's Dumb and Deaf Magic Festival in Chicago in 2014.

My Story: ‘Only Because Of My Father’s Dedicated Love, My Mother Survived Many Years Despite Odds’

Aakanksha Bhatia's mother, Sarika Bhatia, was married in 1991 to Vaneet. After four years, her mother fell sick and was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. She became bedridden, but Vaneet didn't leave any stone unturned in loving his wife and taking care of the family.

My Story: ‘Breast Cancer Treatment Terrified Me, But I Stayed Positive Throughout For My Family’

Rubeena Tabassum, a 38-year-old working mother, was affected by stage III breast cancer despite being extremely health-conscious. Now, she aims to take the message of timely and mandatory health checkups to as many women as possible.

My Story: ‘In Absence Of Hands, My Feet Became My Strength And I Learnt Everything By Myself’

With years of hard work and constant support and appreciation from my teachers and parents, I am now a professional artist. I have trained myself to paint the most life-like portraits with acrylic colors.

My Story: ‘There Were Very Little Facilities Available For People With Disabilities Like Me, So I Decided To Change That’

Priya Sharma, has been on a wheelchair for as long as she can remember and has struggled ten times more than an ordinary person due to the inaccessiblity of the country. Tired of waiting for a change to happen, she decided to take things into her own hands.

My Story: ‘I Came To Know That I Have Cancer On My 25th Wedding Anniversary’

Dimple Raj, who comes from the corporate world, is a tri-athlete and a homemaker. Despite an active lifestyle, in Feb 2020, she was diagnosed with cancer and has since undergone major surgery and treatment.

My Story: ‘I Decided To Have A Ceremony Instead Of Mourning When My Hair Started Falling Off Due To Cancer’

Aahuti Sukhadia Shah lives in the United States and had the perfect life she always desired. Earlier this year, she was diagnosed with cancer. She held a mundan ceremony with her family to embrace her cancer journey.

My Story: ‘The Tunnel Was Dark But It Was Not The End Of The Road For Me’

Rashmi Patil was diagnosed with hearing impairment when she was child. Defying all odds, she learnt Bharatnatyam and even pursued an advanced degree in it. She also won awards at national level and participated in beauty pageants.

My Story: ‘After Years Of Suffering, I Realised That I Can Be Much More Than My Looks’

Anmol Arora spotted a white patch on her eyelid when she was six, it also created a panic at her home. She had vitiligo which was spreading with each passing day. Since childhood, she has had only a few friends due to her looks and appearance.

My Story: ‘I Am Determined To Stay Positive & Would Be Travelling Again After Defeating Challenges’

Ajay Pal Singh, who comes from Punjab, is an enthusiastic traveller and a biker who completed several tours. Earlier this year, he was in the grip of Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS). Still fighting with it bravely, he hopes to continue traveling again.

My Story: ‘Married At 13 & Divorced By 19, I Was Left To Fend For Myself & My Daughter At Young Age’

Mita Banerjee was married off young and had to pick several odd jobs to provide for her children. Today, as a working woman, she is in a place that gives her the happiness and respect she always hoped to have.