The human spirit is one of capability, perseverance and resilience that can be taken by no disability. Coming across some amazing people who have accomplished great things in life after fighting all odds makes us believe our own potential. Here is one such braveheart sharing with us his life’s challenges and how he made his way through them to win accolades.
Rahul Ramugade was born & brought up in a Maharashtrian middle-class family in Mumbai. He says, “ Till the age of one, I was totally normal but then my legs got affected by polio following which my parents got my treatment started immediately. I got admission in a special school for differently abled children in Santacruz, Mumbai, where I was first introduced to swimming. I also learnt many life skills that helped me in my day to day life. After 4th grade, I was shifted to BPM high school at Khar, where I studied till 10th standard with normal students. This school was very supportive and I was given a classroom at ground floor for my entire schooling years.
Further, I took admission in one of the best colleges in Bandra Mumbai for my further studies but due to lack of support, I completed my studies from Mumbai University Cosponsoring Course. My first job was at Eureka Forbes Call Center which was specially for the differently abled, It is better known as “Euro Able”. I had to leave this job because of certain travelling issues.
After that, I worked at Tata Croma Store in Bandra as Customer Service Executive, but had to leave this one too because the store was not easily accessible & was not disabled friendly. My third job was at Shoppers Stop Corporate Office at Malad. I worked in E-commerce department for 1 year and used to travel by Modified Activa 30 km a day. It affected my body and I suffered tennis elbow & back pain. Hence, had to leave that job too. Currently, I am working from home for one of my relatives’ company as an accountant & office admin.”
Talking about his life as a sportsperson he says, “I have been swimming since my school days but started practising for competitive swimming in Feb 2015. Swimming relaxes me and makes me feel fresh. I have won 8 Gold, 1 Silver & 5 Bronze Medals in State Para Swimming Competitions.
I was also part of Indian Wheelchair Cricket Team for Nepal tour in Dec. 2017. Since then, I have played against Bangladesh in Mumbai & Kolhapur, and in Uttarakhand against Nepal & Bangladesh in April 2018. I was the Vice Captain of Maharashtra Wheelchair Cricket Team that won “1st ever Indian Wheelchair Premier League 2018” at Dwarka Delhi in June 2018.”
He proudly talks about the honours he has received due to his sincere efforts and hardwork. He tells, “ I have received “YZ Award 2016” by Marathi Film Industry for my Swimming Skills & love towards Marathi movies and drama, “Mumbai Mayor Award 2017” for 7 Gold Medals in State Para- Swimming, “Gaganala Pankh Nave Award 2017” for excellence in Wheelchair Cricket & Swimming and “Dheypurti Award 2017” for excellence in Wheelchair Cricket & Swimming.”
He makes sure his life has the right amount of adventure too. “I have completed 34000+ km riding my modified Activa. I have also done Scuba diving & Paramotoring. Some of my other hobbies are surfing on my skateboard in skating ramps & open places like Carter Road, Bandra Reclamation & Marine Drive.”
His journey brought along many challenges but he has always been brave and faced them all. Talking about the difficulties, he says, “Offices, workplaces, movie theaters & swimming pools are inaccessible for wheelchair users. So I have to use a skateboard. Also. I have not been getting any financial help or support for swimming competitions or wheelchair cricket by any Government body. My friend, who plays Wheelchair Cricket and I have registered an association in Mumbai as Wheelchair Cricket Association Maharashtra to create awareness about Wheelchair Cricket & generate financial support. Though, I have good support from my family & friends and they are my true motivation.”
Smiling ear to ear he says, “ In 2012, I was denied admission in one of the local pools in Mumbai for swimming because of my disability & today, in 2018, I have won 14 state level medals in Para- Swimming.“
His life journey is a proof that the abilities of a person cannot be judged by looking at his disability but by his will achieve something big in life and not letting difficulties stop you from moving ahead. Team SwachhAbility Run is proud of his achievements and salutes him for his persistence.
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