Passion is the elixir that renews.
We were reminded of this line from a Rumi poem when we saw Kunal Shrestha, a Class 4 student from Imphal playing football with his friends using a crutch. Because if that’s not passion, we don’t know what is. His proud mom revealed,
“My son was born without a limb. I vowed to never let him feel different from his peers. He never exhibited low esteem. He learned to ride a bicycle on his own. The birth of my son was an emotional rollercoaster ride. I was excited that I had become a mother, but also overwhelmed to know that my child was born without a leg. I told myself special people are blessed with special kids and vowed to never let him feel different from his peers.”
#WATCH: Kunal Shrestha, a Class 4 student from Imphal plays football with a single limb. #Manipur
"My son was born without a limb. I vowed to never let him feel different from his peers. He never exhibited low esteem. He learned to ride a bicycle on his own", says Kunal’s mother pic.twitter.com/NTzyOWhX4e
— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2020
The 9-year-old is a fan of Bengaluru FC’s Ajay Chhetri and practiced by kicking Nobaps (Chinese Grapefruits). NDTV quoted him saying,
“I love playing football. Initially, I faced problems in balancing, I was scared but now I have gained confidence. My friends support me a lot. I hope I will score a goal soon.”
I love playing football. Initially, I faced problems in balancing, I was scared but now I have gained confidence. My friends support me a lot. I hope I will score a goal soon: Kunal Shrestha from Imphal, Manipur. https://t.co/PoQ0HIbBP3 pic.twitter.com/JSQP28MQBR
— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2020
People online applauded him for his spirit, his parents for their encouragement, and his friends for their support.
If you’re looking for inspiration to overcome your shortcomings, look at this boy!
If you’re looking for inspiration to help others overcome their shortcomings, look at these children.
It’s very simple.
May God bless them all! ❤️ https://t.co/bvm4JCe4GS— Direction Sky! (@OvaThaRaiinbow) November 10, 2020
😍😍
Mind is always stronger than the Body.#tuesdayvibe https://t.co/75WT9EBjzP— Rita Singh (@Rita_2110) November 10, 2020
Example of love towards sport
— Dnyanesinh Girase (@dnyanesinh) November 10, 2020
Happiness is seeing others peers supporting him 👏👏👏
— HEMANT SHARMA (@HEMANTSHARMA898) November 10, 2020
Lovely morning motivation!#morningmotivation
— Sharad Kumar (@sharad_kumar01) November 10, 2020
Last thing differently abled people need from others is SYMPATHY. We can emphathise with them but need not show sympathy. It hurts their self-esteem
— Sowmithri vinay (@SowmithriVinay) November 10, 2020
Bang on.
This is real #inclusion & sports help the best as enabler.Kid: adapted fast. By birth, so taken as normal
Parent: allowed freedom overcoming emotional concerns/fears
Society: in this case again kids. Embraced with love.@majdpsingh_TCO follows the same model.
🇮🇳🇮🇳 https://t.co/HuXsJSaspe— Major D P Singh (@MajDPSingh) November 10, 2020
What are you passionate about?