The Inspiring Story Of Virali Modi, Who Bounced Back To Life After Being Inches From Death
'I was declared dead three times by the doctors in Pennsylvania, USA. I never knew what my goal was when I came out of my coma, paralyzed from the neck down. Today, 10 years later, I've understood that my goal is to inspire and motivate as many people as I can, says Virali.
There are days when you look for inspiration and then you find it in the most unlikely of places. We came across one such story today.
Ten years ago, life almost came to a standstill for Virali Shah after an accident. She was lying on her presumed deathbed on her birthday; she was in a coma, living off a ventilator. Absolutely no one thought she would trick death and come back to life so beautifully.
Indiatimes/Virali Modi
In one of her FB posts, she wrote about her life since the accident that changed her life. An excerpt reads,
"Within the last 10 years, I gained more self-confidence and won second place in The Miss Wheelchair India pageant in 2014. I started writing about my life's experiences on Quora and earned 58,000 followers that are getting inspired and motivated by my writing, while I create a future for myself. I've become a motivational speaker and have been graced by standing ovations. I started pursing modeling and acting, although I'm still waiting for my big break. Last but not least, I've started to bring awareness about disability through my writing, because there isn't much awareness in India, unfortunately."
Indiatimes/ViraliModi
In an exclusive conversation with Indiatimes, Virali spoke at length about the incident that turned her life upside down, only to leave her with double the strength and a better, goal-oriented life. She said, "You're more important than anyone else. Start focusing on you and you'll be much happier than you were when you were trying to please society."
Indiatimes/ViraliModi
Talking about several inhibitions that people have in their mind about 'disability', Virali told Indiatimes,
"Having a disability isn't really a disability. Disabled are those who cannot feel empathy and love. Disabled are those who are rapists and murders. A 'disability' cannot stop you from pursuing your dreams. I want to be an actress, I'm going to keep fighting for my right to be pursue my passion. Just because my legs aren't working, doesn't mean that my right to live is over!"
"Self-confidence isn't when you're wearing a beautiful dress and you feel beautiful. Self-confidence is being different and unique than others, but you're at peace with yourself. It's a beautiful feeling."
Indiatimes/Virali Modi
She further told Indiatimes that she was declared dead thrice.
"I was declared dead three times by the doctors in Pennsylvania, USA. I never knew what my goal was when I came out of my coma, paralyzed from the neck down. Today, 10 years later, I've understood that my goal is to inspire and motivate as many people as I can."
She signs off, saying, "Live, laugh, love, and have fun! Life can be over before you know it. I know, because I was shy before. I was uptight. I didn't get along with many people because of my reserved nature. Now, with my second chance at life ¨C I'm the total opposite. I'm going to have that extra beer, I'm going to flirt with that cute boy, and I'm going to cry over a heartbreak and enjoy every single part of it because life is too short to think too much.
Indiatimes/Virali Modi
The name's HotWheels, and I will run over your toes if you're mean to me. I am a queen and my wheelchair is my throne!"
More power to you, Virali. Here's to conquering the world!
