Despite Winning Medals For India, This Disabled Mumbai Swimmer's Life Is Still Very Challenging
Shams Aalam Sheikh has overcome all the obstacles life has thrown at him, and now is an international level swimmer despite being paraplegic
Dharavi is known for a lot of things ¨C as Asia¡¯s largest slum, its leather industries and lately, Slumdog Millionnaire. Dharavi houses nearly one million people, and among them are people like Shams Aalam Sheikh who define resilience and determination.
Shams is a para athlete and has won several medals in swimming internationally, and is the most congenial person one could meet. He lives with his family in a small room in a chawl in Dharavi. On a rainy morning, a cheerful Shams invites us in and launches into his story about his victories and struggles in life.
He was an athlete, a black belt champion in Karate before tragedy struck. About eight years ago, he was diagnosed with a condition of benign tumour in his lower back. After unsuccessful surgeries, Shams was left paraplegic now tragically bound to a wheelchair with no sensation in his feet. And now, he proudly holds the record of the longest open sea swim by a paraplegic person. He has won a bronze at the 2016 Speedo Can Am Para-swimming Championships in Canada.
Having a degree in engineering, Shams was a bright student, and had a great future waiting for him with a full time job and actively pursuing sports as a hobby. Everyone would think that being bound to a wheelchair is the worst thing that could happen to a sports player, Shams proves all of them wrong. ¡°This is like a rebirth for me, and better one, because I have gotten to represent my country several times and make my family proud!¡± he says.
Financial challenges
It is saddening to see reports about how that a lot of sports players who represent the country internationally get little or no help from the government. Shams confirms this and says. ¡°In states like Haryana or Gujarat, those who even play on national level are given certain facilities, prize money or living quarters by the government. However, we unfortunately have minimal facilities, and have to wait for a long time to avail them,¡± he says.
"I wake up every day and get out of my bed with only one drive, one goal in my mind ¨C which is winning a medal for my country"
For the differently abled, things keep getting tougher as there are barely any facilities for them even in shopping malls, theatres or workplaces. A lot of differently abled choose not to work because they are either looked down upon, or there are no facilities at a workplace they wish to join.
"I consider what happened to me a boon, as I got to represent my nation which would not have happened if I were fully healthy and able"
Shams tells us that he too, tried working despite the drawbacks ¡°but it just wasn¡¯t for me. I was paid just a quarter of the sum as salary compared to what I earned when I was able to function perfectly,¡± he said.
Bouncing back
Mental trauma, of course, follows any tragic accidents or surgeries. Shams too, felt low after the realization that he would not be able top function fully without some external help. Currently, his family helps him out with everything ¡°as they have supported and showed love to me unconditionally.¡±
For those who still feel depressed, cast out, lesser than others, Shams says only one thing, that sitting there and feeling helpless is the last thing to be done. ¡°I found my passion, and I wake up every day and get out of my bed with only one goal in my mind ¨C which is winning a medal for my country and making my country proud,¡± he shares.
Swimming and Yoga are the two things that have helped to keep him not just focused but also physically active. ¡°My nerves and muscles need to be exercised daily or there is a risk of the other organs getting damaged as well, which is why swimming is an exercise as well as a life saver for me,¡± he tells us.
The amount of resilience, passion and hardwork that Shams shows, despite being differently abled is remarkable. And yet, he lives in a slum without any complaints, staying optimistic that someday not just him but all the differently abled will be given a chance to prove themselves, and be treated socially, payed in jobs and respected in the world as everyone else.
¡°Where there is passion, one can never be upset. I consider what happened to me a boon, as I got to represent my nation which would not have happened if I were fully healthy and able,¡± he smiles and tells us that his current aim is to reach Asian Games, and win.
