“I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in my left leg when I was 16. There was surgery, chemotherapy, and life during that period was a struggle. The chemotherapy, its side effects, everything was challenging. It was painful to get back to the normal ways of life.
If one thing didn’t go your way, it doesn’t mean all things will end up against you. Before my cancer, I used to play football, but after surgery I couldn’t play anymore. However, I switched to snooker. Just because I couldn’t play one sport, I did not give up on others.
In snooker, I got great success, and I was the state champion in 2018. Currently, I am indulged in my family business and I also take out time for snooker whenever there's a national meet!
What bothers me about the society is that, just because you had cancer, people think you’re still unhealthy, or you’re still struggling with it. People mostly remember the stories that turn out to be bad, and movies like ‘Dil Bechara’, because they have been made to be dramatic. But, every story isn't the same. People who have fought something critical are now leading amazing lives. I am sure that if people see me now, they wouldn’t even know if I ever had cancer!
The struggle is for the victor, because that person is usually looked at in a different way. I hope avenues show up that provide for counselling after the person is healed, but is yet considered sick and hence, he is ignored. I am glad that eventually, I found people who embrace my past and treat me equal and I hope the same for my fellow warriors."– Aakash Mohapatra
Way to Go Akash Bhai....!!!!
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