The next time when you give yourself an excuse of not able to achieve your dreams, then remember this inspiring story of Shalu.
Life might have given her multiple wounds but her courage made sure that she keeps fighting like a true warrior.
Who is Shalu – The Unbeatable Soul?Â
When a four-year-old girl was abandoned by her parents at the footsteps of All-India-Pingalwara Charitable Society – a home for destitute and an orphanage, she hardly knew why?
It took her 19 years to realize that her life was preparing her for a bright, successful yet difficult future.
Shalu (only with the first name and no last name), is a special needs athlete who will represent India by competing in powerlifting at the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi from March 14 to 21.
Athletes with intellectual disabilities participate in the Special Olympics World Games every two years and this year Shalu is also going to be one of the athletes who will make our country proud!
Her Life StrugglesÂ
Shedding a light on the struggles of this 22-year-old, Padmini, the principal of orphanage shared with TOI:
“It was eight in the morning. I was at the gate when I found a little girl shivering and crying. I took her into the office. I asked her name but she didn’t reply. I quickly realized she had been left alone by her parents. Being a mother myself, I can’t even imagine how anyone can disown their own child.”
Further adding on Shalu’s challenges, she added:
“It took us more than a month to understand her problem. She has a speech impairment and also a learning disorder. Since then, I have become her life and she has become mine. We are inseparable.”
Initial years were very challenging and difficult for Shalu as well as people who were trying hard to add colours to Shalu’s life. Padmini said:
“She used to give everyone a hard time. But over a period of time, she started mingling with everyone. She was always interested in sports. But, it was Raju Rajendra who persuaded her to try powerlifting.”Â
Her Love For Powerlifting
While talking about her love for football, her coach Raju told how she found her interest in Powerlifting:
“She started training in 212 but after a couple of weeks, she had lost interest because football is her first love. Afer 8 -9 months, she came to the gym and straightaway started lifting the weights. Later in the evening, I got to know that she was fouled by someone that made her very angry. After that incident, football was dead for her.”Â
Unlike other coaches, Raju shared the reason why he is confident about Shalu:
“I dont’ have any expectations. I know she will not return emptyhanded but we never talk about winning or losing with her. As a coach I am just happy for her and I can’t describe it in words. She will be boarding her first flight and she is curious about it.”
Her Words Of Determination
Because of her speech impairment, Shalu can’t speak properly.
But, she said four words to show her determination of making her country proud – “Shalu, India, Gold, Ma (she refers Padmini her mother)”.
While losers may find multiple reasons why Shalu might not succeed in life, Shalu is busy taking steps to make her dream a reality!
If you feel your problems are stopping you from achieving your dreams, then you should re-think and trust yourself to do better!
Even after being abandoned her parents and struggling with speech impairment and a learning disorder, Shalu is not giving up on her dreams. Then why should you?
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