Resilience is not born out of the ordinary. It takes brutal circumstances to bring out the warrior in you.
October 9, 2016, was the day when life took a sharp turn and I severely injured my vertebrae in a car accident. This happened when I was inching very close to my dream career in civil services. Initially, it did not seem to be very painful and limiting. But as the days passed, my fears came true. I was diagnosed with a fracture in three vertebrae. The very next day, I lost my job, as I was denied leave and asked to resign. This loss was hard to bear, as I was the only earning member.
The treatment cost was high, but my mother had her legitimate share of family wealth, so I was not much worried about my recovery. When I thought things seemed bright, there came a second blow. My mother was denied her share, which she had asked for my treatment. Instead, that money was used up by our relatives to buy their own property. We were insulted badly and I was accused of faking my injury so as to avoid earning by myself. There was nothing we could do at that time. We tried getting legal help but did not have resources, and it was not possible for my mother to leave me alone and go out. The delay in treatment cost me 5 years of my life. What could have healed in a few months, got painfully extended to five years.
Over time, due to prolonged physical and mental stress, I developed Scoliosis, Kyphosis, and Parkinson’s. With no income by our side, it was difficult to afford daily meals, leave alone medications. From December 2016 to April 2019, my life was getting up from the bed, using the washroom, and sitting on my chair. Taking steps was so painful that my eyes would bleed with pain. I could feel my vertebrae cracking and paining on moving. My muscles would go in a complete lock and I used to stand at one place for more than an hour, waiting for muscles to relax. Every day, I would see the helplessness in my mother’s eyes and hide my tears.
Light came to my life, when I came across FITTR (then Squats), in May 2019. I was amazed by the transformations. I gained knowledge about nutrition and applied it to myself. I had reached 97 kg. I followed a quantified diet and in a span of 5 months, I lost over 12 kg and then further down, shed 5 kg more. I started feeling mentally healthy and started moving my legs. I took my first step without any support after a gap of 3 years. FITTR gave me a second life. Whatever I am today is all because of FITTR. I am improving each day with an incredible gait.
I got a full scholarship to study INFS Diploma Course, which was again sponsored by FITTR. This community gave me immense love and confidence and a best friend for life. Everything is possible with the right nutrition, training, determination, and utter belief in oneself. At present, I am under zero medication and loving the magic of movement.
Though I still have a long way to go and I am trolled for my hunched back, I will definitely make it to the point, where someone comes up to me and says, “I did not give up because of you”.
Please don’t give up if you don’t see results in a few weeks or even months. It took me 10 months to take 80 steps in one go, but all failed attempts, frustrations, and tears were worth it. However bruised and defeated you might be, just don’t give up. Remember, there is always hope till you are breathing.
Author: Prabhjot Dhillon
