Wheelchair-bound Dubai student stands on his feet with a degree

Dubai - Piyush was 100% dependent on his parents for everything.

Dubai student Piyush Jain, 22, lost the ability to walk for almost two years and had to be placed on a ventilator for 40 days. But his positive approach to life and self-belief helped him fight challenges. He joined Heriot Watt University on a wheelchair but graduated recently with flying colours and what's more, he also walked without support to collect his degree.

Piyush jain with his parents

After finishing his high school from DPS Sharjah, Piyush Jain, then 18, went to India to study engineering and was returning to Dubai for his first vacations.

"I was so excited and happy to return home (Dubai) for Diwali, which was the next day, November 13, 2012. That day when I woke up, I felt numbness in my legs. The feeling was not exactly of pain but something which is beyond explanation." By evening almost 70% of Piyush's body had stopped moving. He was rushed to the hospital and was diagnosed with Gulllain Barrie Syndrome (GB Syndrome) which is an auto immune disorder in which immune system attacks our own muscular system. The disorder is very rare and affects one in a million.

"The same night my dad flew me to India as our insurance did not cover it. Within 24 hours I was completely paralysed and on artificial breathing support in ICU." ICU was his home for two and a half months.

I could not talk, move and has excruciating pain in both my legs. I was on the strongest painkillers and still I use to faint in pain."

Since everything happened in a matter of hours, it was very difficult for me to process it initially but as time went by I started understanding what is happening to me. In the whole journey, I always had a positive approach and I would somehow just always smile. I accepted this as a phase of my life which I have to fight no matter what."

Piyush was 930 dependent on his parents for everything. It was 64 days before I could move my finger little bit again and I returned to Dubai after getting discharged from the hospital. His mother left her job to be with him at home. After 4 months of physiotherapy, I could move my hand but it took almost 6 months for little movement of my legs. I was on a wheelchair for more than 1.5 years. After coming out of a wheelchair it took me around 6 months to start walking completely without support.

What helped Piyush overcome his physical and emotional challenges was his attitude. He took charge of his life and although initially he had some negative thoughts such as " Why me?", he soon made peace with his situation and accepted it as a phase. "

"My thought process as I was recovering was very positive. I knew there are two ways to handle a situation, either I cry and be sad or tackle it gracefully. I decided to do the later."

"I never stopped trying"

saman@khaleejtimes.com