My Story: Never Thought I Would Become A Dentist, But On Wheels, I Became A Gold Medalist

“I had a normal childhood. I topped my BDS exams and was on my way to present a paper at a conference in Chennai when the driver dozed off and hit a stationary truck. When I woke up, I felt paralysed. I knew I had become a paraplegic.

At first, I was disgusted by the wheelchair. I refused to accept it. I did not want to do anything with it. Then I realised it held the secret to my mobility. Without it, I would be stuck in one place. That was not okay. Today, my wheelchair is my best friend.

In recovery, I did a course in psychology and fashion, adamant to not pay attention to people fretting about what would happen to me now… I thought my dreams of dentistry had vanished, but on wheels, I topped to be a gold medalist in my MDS exams as well. I fought a court battle to gain acceptance in the university of my choice. I love designing smiles, so I studied orthodontics. I love fashion and modelling, so I participated and won Miss India Wheelchair in 2014.

Today with advanced technology, I have hope that one day there will be a cure for spinal injury. I love driving my hand driven car, have my dental clinic and started a foundation, lecture in a dental college, and travelled 10 countries on wheels. I have learnt to love life, the way it is and that’s what matters.”

– Rajlakshmi SJ

Story By – BeingYou | PC: Vishwanath Velu

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