Deepa Malik: A journey from wheelchair to Olympic medallist.
For those who haven’t heard of this name, An Indian lady named as Deepa Malik is synonymous with perseverance and courageousness. Her life story against paralysis is not just another encouraging tale; it’ll leave people pressing finger underneath teeth.
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| Deepa Malik |
Unfortunately at the age of 29 she was again diagnosed with a spinal tumour,
she experienced three spinal
surgeries and got 183 stitches between her shoulder blades. Resultantly she was
left disabled starting from the waist down and the specialists declared that
she might never walk again in her rest life. Since
then she is bound to a wheelchair, but the disability couldn’t cage her free
spirit. She decided to run her business. During this time she
confronted numerous physical
constraints but these challenges made her stronger and more determined. At the
age of 36 at which most athletes are considering retirement, Deepa Malik started a
career as an athlete. At first she
decided biking and for this she undertook a rigorous six-week hydrotherapy
rehabilitation programme at the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre in Delhi, learning
the practical way to handle her disability.
In year 2006
Deepa malik started by joining the Himalayan Motorsports Association and
vanquished an 8-day long 1,700 km motorcycle ride to 18,000 feet above sea
level.
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| Deepa Malik on biking |
Besides biking, Deepa malik also participated actively in swimming, shot put, javelin throw sports and other adventure sports too. Swimming and biking were first two activities which drew attention of people towards Deepa malik. Even She broke multiple records in these sports activities.
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| Deepa Malik practicing swimming |
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| Javelin throw practice by Deepa malik |
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| Shot-put practice by Deepa malik |
Deepa has entered the Limca Book of Records for 4 times due to following accomplishments.
- She crossed a one kilometre distance of the Yamuna River against the current in 2008.
- She rode a special modified bike for 58 kms in 2009.
- In 2011, she became the first paraplegic woman to drive to Khardunga La pass, the highest motorable pass in the world.
- She finished the longest drive in
India around 3,278 kms from Chennai to Delhi in 2013.
Deepa Malik on motorbike
At the national level, Deepa has won around 54 awards to add to the 13 at International level in javelin throw, shot put and swimming. Her amazing achievements in the domain of sports and her energy to satisfy her fantasies got her an Arjuna Award in 2012, at 42 years old years.
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| Deepa Malik received Arjuna Award |
For the 2012 London Paralympics, Deepa malik couldn’t shortlisted as India sent full male contingent. But at Rio Paralympics 2016, Deepa malik not only participated but also brought a silver medal in shot put for India. She was the first Indian woman to win a medal in Paralympic Games ever.
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| Deepa Malik won silver medal |
Due to her extraordinary achievements and inspiration sport spirit she has also been conferred the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2017.
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| Deepa Malik received Padma Shri |
She created a New Asian Record in Asian Para Games 2018 and is the only Indian woman to win medals in 3 consecutive Asian Para Games (2010, 2014, 2018).
Morale of story. In our life, we frequently are bound and discouraged by our own limitations and gradually these become the borders in which we define ourselves. However, there are some tough souls who break these barriers and grow beyond their limitations. In Deepa Malik words… Most of us are simply living a life full of excuses. We have a habit of finding reasons, that we forget finding our purpose in life. Instead of letting setbacks and difficulties push us behind, we should use them as stepping stones towards success. A dream simply remains a dream until we find the courage to pursue it .
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| A living legend |
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