New Delhi: A spinal cord injury does more than just break bones — it erodes confidence, independence and hope. Yet, for many survivors in India, the story does not end there. The journeys of a few para-athletes show how resilience, rehabilitation and support can help people reclaim dignity and purpose.For 30-year-old Pranav Soorma from Faridabad, life changed in an instant in 2011 when a 12-foot cemented shade collapsed on him, then 16, at his cousin’s home. “The moment it struck, my body was paralysed below the neck. The first words I remember saying were, ‘Mujhe kuch feel nahi ho raha’ (I don’t feel anything).” His father quit his job to become a full-time caregiver while his mother worked to keep the family afloat.Despite the setback, Soorma finished his education and later discovered para-athletics. Training often began before dawn, with his father by his side. Meeting coach Naval Singh in 2022 reignited his belief that he could dream big again. Today, Soorma has won 35 medals at the state, national and international levels, including at Para Asiad and Paralympic. He is also a motivational speaker. “The accident was just one chapter in my life. If I gave up, I would never have seen the beautiful chapters that followed,” he said. His message: “Show up every day. With determination and consistency, magic does happen — I am living proof.”For 45-year-old Preethi Srinivasan, the fall was equally sudden. A state-level swimming champion and captain of Tamil Nadu’s under-19 cricket team, she was only 18 when a freak accident in shallow water during a college outing in Pondicherry left her paralysed below the neck. “The hardest part was losing my identity. I had always been a star athlete and topper. Suddenly, I felt invisible — even worthless,” she said.Over time, she rebuilt her life and founded Soulfree, a charitable trust that supports thousands of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) through rehabilitation and livelihood opportunities. “Don’t give up. Life is not over. Rehabilitation can give you back dignity, confidence and purpose.” A day before World Spinal Cord Injury Day on Sept 5, Srinivasan urges that awareness must lead to action. “A spinal cord injury can happen to anyone, anywhere, in a split second. Survivors need access to affordable rehabilitation and recognition of SCI as a distinct disability. Rehabilitation is not charity — it is a right.”Dharmabir Nain from Sonipat also found his second chance through sport. A diving accident in 2012 left him paralysed below the neck after he struck rocks in a canal. Bedridden for over a year, Nain, now 36, met para-athlete Amit Kumar Saroha. “Before meeting him, I thought I can’t do anything,” Nain said. But with training, he went on to win medals — one gold, two silver and two bronze — at the international level in the club throw (F51 category). He credits his family’s support and months of rehabilitation at Delhi’s Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) for his comeback.Doctors stress that such recoveries are the result of rehabilitation, determination and family support. Dr Kalidutta Das, chief of spine at ISIC, said India has an estimated 1.5 million people living with spinal injuries, with about 20,000 new cases each year. “Most spinal injuries are preventable, yet India contributes significantly to the global burden due to two-wheeler accidents and falls. Beyond mobility issues, people face bladder and bowel dysfunction, pressure sores, employment barriers and stigma,” he said. Centres like ISIC, he added, play a vital role in rehab, vocational training and reintegration.The challenges are not only medical. Dr Karanjit Singh Narang, senior director of neurosurgery at Medanta Hospital, noted that the mental health burden on families is severe, especially when the injured person is the sole breadwinner. “Obtaining a disability certificate is a lengthy process, and even with it, employment opportunities are limited. While govt reservations exist, the financial and emotional strain on families is substantial,” he said.
