Defeating destiny

8220;I do not remember how I met with the accident. But what came as a shock was that when I opened my eyes in the hospital, I realized that I was no more a normal human being. The accident had made me a quadriplegic,8221; says Jonathan.

Quadriplegia made Jonathan paralytic, taking away all sensation chest downwards. Jonathan8217;s incapability to move his hands and legs meant nothing but dependability. 8220;That year I went back to the US to be with my parents, friends and relatives. The initial sympathy and concern was there but I realized that no one is going to be with me permanently, despite all their love for me.8221;

Jonathan was left with only one solution- doing everything on his own. And that was the real challenge. Quadriplegic patients not only lose the strength but also the senses from below the chest, which means that not only the activities like walking, running and writing but also routine activities like bathing, getting up, wearing clothes are affected. 8220;I had no other option but to become self dependant to regain my lost confidence. It was during this time that I came across rugby, a sports played by quadriplegics in the USA. I played it and started enjoying it. The game gave me a confidence that there are people like me in the world and it boosted my morale,8221; adds Sigworth.

Today, Jonathan in his own words is 99 percent independent. He says, 8220;You will be surprised to know that it takes me 45 minutes to get up. One hour to have bath, 45 minutes to go to the loo. It is time consuming but yes I am on my own. I am proud of the fact that I am quadriplegic yet self dependent.8221;

And now, the passion has entered his blood. He8217;s realized that efforts pay and Jonathan is on a new venture. Today he dreams of opening the largest quadriplegia surgery center in the world. 8220;I had come to India after that and I realised that the condition of quadriplegics in India is not the same as ours. The kind of facilities that we get in US are much more advanced that what we have here. For instance, the chairs here are heavier than the ones in US. Also, we get a yearly compensation in America. The roads and elevators there are much more user-friendly for people like us than the ones here. I cannot change the conditions in India. So I am here to strengthen the quadriplegics so that they like me can face life with confidence,8221; says Jonatahn who is currently at the Paraplegic Rehabilitation Center in Pune to teach the patients rugby.

Destiny can sometimes be synonymous with injustice. What else can explain the turn of events that led to Amit Saroha, a national level hockey player, becoming wheel chair bound. The 25-year-old resident of Sonipat in Haryana still vividly remembers that day in February 2007 when Saroha along with his four friends was traveling in a car that met with an accident. The irony is that while the four friends who were under the influence of alcohols survived with minor injuries, Saroha the only was who had not consumed had his life altered forever.

A year since the accident his family is yet to get over the shock. But they have rallied around the young man like only close families are capable of doing. His brother Sumit Saroha left his media job in New Delhi to take care of Amit Saroha, who since the accident has become a quadriplegic. Saroha says, 8220;I look at the positive side of life. The good part of my story is that I met Jonathan during my surgery in Delhi. It is a difficult life as a quadriplegic. But since one year, I have also been traveling with Jonathan helping him in his noble cause.8221;

A year with Jonathan has made Saroha partly independent. He is learning not only to do his routine activities but is also helping Jonathan promote rugby. 8220;In fact I myself am surprised over the fact that I learnt swimming from Jonathan in just a few hours,8221; he smiles.

The duo is undoubtedly a living example of how determination overpowers destiny.