Justin Jesudas did not become a product of his circumstances but his own decisions. He made a choice to take a chance and his life changed for better. Life came to a standstill for him 8 years ago, when he met with a car accident. The accident left him with a body that was paralysed below the neck. The urge to walk again grew stronger in him each day but he could not get back on his feet as all he was left with was his shoulders and partially functioning elbows and fingers. With the whole of his family supporting him through this ordeal, he tried hard to do away with his disability. But these attempts were futile.
It was then when he shifted his focus from what he could not do to what he could. He focused all his energy not on fighting his disability but on improving his abilities. He realised that self pity would keep him immobilised and he could not let it sabotage his future. He took control of his own life and was determined to be self sufficient. He overcame invincible trials of his life with incomparable grit and optimism, as a result of which, he managed doing majority of his daily chores himself without being dependent on others.
He started focusing on his dream of becoming a basketball player. Though playing the sport was a tough task for him as he has no triceps, yet he chose not to give up. Hence, he learnt to play the wheelchair basketball. Soon, he felt the need to practise cardio for his fitness. He took to swimming as a fitness routine and as something which would boost his stamina. During the initial phase of his practising, he was apprehensive about it. He wondered whether he would be able to swim with just his shoulders and elbows. His disability became his first competitor but with his hard work and perseverance, he won over it and went on to become one of the top 20 para-swimmers of the world, winning laurels for the country at an international level.
He also works as a full time employee in an IT company and has been leading a normal life just like any other human being. His ability to adapt himself to any kind of adverse situation proved to be his greatest strength. Even in tough times, he never forgot to be happy and continued motivating others to do great things in life. He never gave up on his dreams and has actually been living them. He enjoys going on drives in his modified car and loves to cook in his leisure time.
He acknowledges that he has a disability, but he asserts that he is in no way less able. He feels he is at par with any other normal human being. In a world, where people find ways of escapism, he wants to tread on paths less travelled. He is prepping up to represent India in the 2018 Asian Games and further striving for excelling in Tokyo Paralympics 2020. He is also pursuing rifle shooting and has already qualified for the Nationals. He plans to engage himself in these sports and lead an active, content and venturesome life.
Justin Jesudas chose not to sit back but to fight against all odds and lead a dignified life, doing away with all the dependencies he had on others. His life journey and his strength of will is truly an inspiration for all of us.
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