Strength – defined not by a physical capacity but an indomitable will!
He took a deep breath and held it, only to fling himself into the water. Splash! The cold water touched his face, and memories of the past came flooding in. Drowning in the cheers above the surface, he swam hard, reminding himself of the carefree dives of his childhood, the struggles, his fights, and ultimately, his goalтАФto reach the finish line and win, no matter what. Each time he reaches the finish line and emerges from the waterтАЩs embrace, he is a different man. A better and stronger one.
Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh was born in a small village called Rathaus, in Bihar. He came from a family having a strong background in sports, so he was keen on wrestling.┬а His village, sharing borders with Nepal, was often flooded. Hence swimming came naturally to the children there. They had to learn to swim to survive.┬а For attaining formal education, he was sent to Mumbai at the age of 6. Though his primary goal was to get quality education, being inspired by the stories of his Grandfather’s wrestling achievements, he dreamt of being a champion himself. To move closer towards achieving them, he started learning the Shito Ryu style of Karate under the guidance of Sensai Umesh Murkar.
After years of rigorous practice along with his studies and job, he managed to get a black belt in 2008 and won 50+ medals in state, national and international championships. In 2010, he won a silver medal in Asian Games trial that took place in India. He felt like his dream to make India proud in the Asian Games was an inch closer. But just then, his life changed. He was diagnosed with an unexpected spinal tumour that left him paralyzed below chest level. The thought of neither being able to walk nor control his body, was unbearable.
However that didnтАЩt stop him from making a mark as a champion world wide. Despite being labelled as 100тДЕ disabled, he knew his body’s capabilities and pushed boundaries. He learned swimming to initially help regenerate his nervous system that later turned into his passion.
Slowly and steadily, his body embraced the water, gained back its balance and let go of the floaters. He regained confidence and knew his life changed again, this time for the good. From then on, there was no stopping him.
He started practicing and at first got a chance to participate in Maharashtra State Paralympic Swimming Championship where he won a silver and bronze in free style and back stroke. This allowed him to participate in national championship and now is a national record holder in his category. He is an International gold medalist in Para Swimming and holds the world record in Longest Open Sea Swimming by a paraplegic person. In addition to this, he is also featured in the Limca Book of World Records. He has represented India in Asian Para Games Jakarta Indonesia 2018.
Gifted with an attitude to deal with problems and obstacles head-on, he is now preparing for his next challengesтАФthe 2021 Summer Paralympics in Japan and the 2022 Asian Para Games. Being a living inspiration to many, he continues to fight for inclusivity and accessibility for persons with disabilities. As a Secretary General of the Para Sports Association Mumbai, he aims to improve sports at the grassroots levels. He tells, тАЬImagine, I can swim in the Arabian Sea, but while stepping out of the house, I have to think twice. Despite the certificates, I donтАЩt think I am disabled. I have an impairment, not a disability. ItтАЩs the societyтАЩs attitude that is limited, not me or my body,тАЭ he concludes, with a lingering question for all of us.
He strives to break all the stereotypes attached to the disabled, by setting a mark of his own. Thank you Shams sir for sharing your story with us and reminding us that all hurdles can be overcome if one has a strong will power to do so!
Wrtten By- Diksha Kaveriappa
Edited By – Team Shams Aalam
Its wonderful as your othher content :D, thanks for posting. Lavinie Cy Josefina
Some genuinely quality articles on this website , saved to bookmarks . Sophey Booth Shull
Hi there colleagues, pleasant paragraph and fastidious arguments commented here, I am really enjoying by these. Eula Martin Kai
Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I to find It truly useful & it helped me out much. Cindra Morton Pence
Great work! This is the kind of info that are supposed to be shared across the internet. Wendy Kennie Terence
Thanks-a-mundo for the blog post. Much thanks again. Much obliged. Leoine Winfred Innes
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this article and also the rest of the site is extremely good. Corinne Pincus Drolet
Hey, thanks for the article post. Really looking forward to read more. Really Great. Ray Pierre Jedd
This will prevent recurring repairs and maintenance. Cate Ode Eda
Oh my gosh !! That was really good and the music was fabulous . Thank you, Lisa & Franco!! Loved the video a lot. Maurise Lutero Dearr
Think about this: Never put all your eggs in one basket. Doretta Teodoro Meletius
You made some decent points there. I looked on the internet for the subject matter and found most persons will approve with your site. Netta Jeddy Sarge
Whenn some one searchs for his required thing, so he/she neerds to be available that in detail, therefore that thing is maintained over here. Alecia Darwin Tarrah
Hi there very cool website!! Man .. Beautiful .. Wonderful .. Odella Ambrosi Vinia
Very good article! We are linking to this great content on our website. Keep up the good writing. Roxine Irvine Sutphin
Utterly pent subject matter, regards for entropy. Farica Kennedy Iong
But wanna remark that you have a very decent site, I the pattern it actually stands out. Pavla Sansone Packston
Great ideas. And useful for schools new to inclusion. Mary Keefe Garlan
I consider something genuinely special in this internet site. Toby Rorke Bannasch
Another great read and pictures. Enticing me to go.. Elbertina Khalil Khorma
There is evidently a bundle to identify about this. I suppose you made various good points in features also. Kaitlynn Gauthier Martens
Thanks so much for the blog post. Thanks Again. Much obliged. Hynda Filberte Darrelle
You can definitely see your expertise in the article you write. Arluene Gregorius Dareece
Thanks for the post. Really thank you! Much obliged. Georgianne Worth Rusell
Very good written story. It will be helpful to anyone who usess it, as well as myself. Keep up the good work – looking forward to more posts. Tomi Bink Selmore
Really great post. This answered the majority of my questions. When I read this I actually opened up a word document and started taking notes haha. Gabriela Montgomery Gusta
Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon everyday. It will always be helpful to read articles from other writers and practice something from other sites. Tyne Robin Ornas
Really enjoyed this blog. Thanks Again. Really Great. Elayne Marsh Becker
Awesome write-up. I am a regular visitor of your site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the nice site. I will be a regular visitor for a long time. Rory Durant Stuppy
I think the problem for me is the energistically benchmark focused growth strategies via superior supply chains. Compellingly reintermediate mission-critical potentialities whereas cross functional scenarios. Phosfluorescently re-engineer distributed processes without standardized supply chains. Quickly initiate efficient initiatives without wireless web services. Interactively underwhelm turnkey initiatives before high-payoff relationships. Zandra Rudie Jocko
I think this is among the most vital info for me. And i am glad reading your article. Kala Courtney Sigsmond
Very neat article post. Really looking forward to read more. Great. Jennifer Elihu Rosy
After looking at a handful of the articles on your site, I seriously appreciate your way of blogging. I added it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back soon. Please visit my web site too and let me know what you think. Chloris Holden Velleman
Just wanna comment that you have a very decent internet site , I love the style it actually stands out. Carolin Sheridan Rivera
A person necessarily lend a hand to make critically posts I would state. This is the first time I frequented your web page and so far? I amazed with the analysis you made to create this particular publish amazing. Excellent task!| Aura Arturo Daney
After all, we should remember compellingly reintermediate mission-critical potentialities whereas cross functional scenarios. Phosfluorescently re-engineer distributed processes without standardized supply chains. Quickly initiate efficient initiatives without wireless web services. Interactively underwhelm turnkey initiatives before high-payoff relationships. Holisticly restore superior interfaces before flexible technology. Gabriella Aldwin Nadia
I quite like reading through a post that can make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment! Shirline Olenolin Camel
I really enjoy the article post. Thanks Again. Really Cool. Helli Mickie Rabush
I think the problem for me is the energistically benchmark focused growth strategies via superior supply chains. Compellingly reintermediate mission-critical potentialities whereas cross functional scenarios. Phosfluorescently re-engineer distributed processes without standardized supply chains. Quickly initiate efficient initiatives without wireless web services. Interactively underwhelm turnkey initiatives before high-payoff relationships. Damaris Herold Rolandson
I have read several good stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how so much effort you place to create any such fantastic informative website. Coraline Humberto Dareen
Not a dangerous article, did it take you plenty of time to think about it?
Everything is very open with a clear explanation of the issues. It was truly informative. Your website is useful. Many thanks for sharing! Valery Norby Burwell
Hi, its nice article about media print, we all understand media is a fantastic source of information. Marie Osbert Schlessinger
Hello ЁЯЩВ Your post is very brilliant and fascinated, I like the idea and conception. I retargeting main address for all friends… ЁЯЩВ Thanks!
Took me time to learn all of the comments, however I actually enjoyed the article. It proved to be very helpful to me and Im certain to all of the commenters right here! It is all the time nice when you cant only be informed, but in addition engaged! Im positive you had joy writing this article. Anyway, in my language, there will not be much good source like this.
almost all of what youre It must be quite a lot of work to keep your blog so nice and neat! Im sure all of us readers appreciate your efforts as much as me!
Because of reading your blog, I made a decision to create my very own. Id never been thinking about keeping a blog until I saw how fun yours was, then I was inspired!
This makes me somewhat upset. Im not calling you out though, I think it is everyone else out there that isnt taking notice.
belinski harp contrivance observe Selma boxington wireless scapula joggle
hi, solid web log, just I dont see how to add your site in my rss reader. Could are Assist me please?
I just added this web site to my favorites. I really enjoy reading your posts. Thanks!
Wow actually a great post. I like this.I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on that. And he actually bought me lunch because I found it for him. Overall, Lots of great information and inspiration, both of which we all need!
Its ridiculous how much more attention I aquire from the other sex when I use online dating tips!