It was a bright afternoon. The sun was right on top, but there was strong wind blowing, bringing clouds and covering the sky.
I was sitting near a villa all alone enjoying the weather. Suddenly I saw my best friend Vindya coming on a bike. She said “Hai Harsha, Why are you sitting alone hear come, let’s go I will drop near your house”.
“Oh! Today is my Mother’s birthday. I am waiting for a bus to Malleshwaram to buy a gift for her”.
Vindya :Vow that’s wonderful. Come, come let me also help you in selecting”.
I “How to sit with you. You know I can’t walk or sit on a bike”.
Vindya “I know all that Harsha. Please wait a moment there is a surprise”.
I saw a seat sliding down from the bike.
Vindya “come crawling, sit on it and hold tightly”.
As soon as I sat properly the belt automatically held me tight, the seat began to move up, and within 5 minutes I was with Vindya comfortablely sitting on the bike.
The cushiony seat on which I was sitting and belt made me feel as if I was in car. There was no end to my excitement. I hugged Vindya with tears of happiness.
Vindya “let’s go to mantry mall.”
Me “ok”.
Western Wear Flare Long Gown https://www.chandamama.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=42155
There I selected a brand new maroon sari for mummy and blue chudidhar for sister. I google payed with my mobile. While coming home Vindya wanted a 64 gb pen drive and a wireless mouse. We got them in a nearby shop.
Vindya “I will pay for my things”.
I “no, no you are helping me so much. I will pay for you”.
I opened my purse, payed money to shopkeeper and returned home.
My father opened the gate.
Vindya brought bike inside and pressed a Butten. The seat moved down, the belt loosened itself and I crawled out of the seat.
She gave my things.
I thanked her.
She said “have coffee. I will go home”.
I “why don’t you join me”. I took her to the dining table, ordered 2 cups of coffee and biscuits
I called my mother and sister, introduced her, wished my mother and gave her a gift. She was amazed. Soon she went inside and wore the sarry meanwhile sister also wore the beautiful chudidhar. Both of them came, hugged me with tears of happiness and also took a photo with Vindya.
Suddenly I heard my sister calling “Harsha come-on it’s time for your office”. When I woke up and saw the time. it was 7:30 AM. I quickly got ready, had breakfast and went to office with my mother by maruti van.
Evening when everyone were having coffee with snakes I narrated my dream.
I am Harsha Parthasarthy, 44 years old.
I was born different.
When I was a child, I couldn’t hold anything properly, couldn’t walk, had problem in balancing, I was drooling and was very slow in speaking.
My parents were worried. They took me to all the doctors but my problem couldn’t get an apt diagnosis.
As a child, I didn’t have any idea about school, teachers or friends.
I used to see other children going to school and felt bad about it.
My Mother was a physics professor and Father, a psychology professor, both working in Maharani’s college.
My Sister was a very sweet girl. She was studying, playing with me and helping with my needs.
My parents would narrate great stories to me, brought books to help me in my studies.
After a few years, they came to know about this special school known as Spastic Society of Karnataka. I joined school at the age of 10. When I was studying, I noticed my vision problem, for which I wore spectacles (but, it did not help much).
I was very keen on reading science and maths.
In school, I made many friends. My teachers, kind and understanding, taught us their subjects in detail. The therapists taught us exercise that would help make us a little more flexible.
When I was in 12th I had to leave out my favourite subjects because the scribes were unable to understand me. Further, I learnt how to make paper bags and work with computers at school.
After completing 12th I joined as a data entry operator in an NGO known as AMBA.
I cannot use mouse. So, I use only keyboard commands. I cannot use a mobile, but I like WhatsApp.
My hands do not listen to me. I operate the computer only through keyboard commands. I overcame my vision problem by using Magic screen reading software. This enlarges the font size and reads aloud the text. Since I can’t use a mobile, using a software called Bluestacks, I installed mobile apps like WhatsApp and FM radio on my computer. I have learnt to edit audio and video files using HD video converter. In addition, I enjoy typing stories on my computer.
Now I’m proud to say that I can work independently on computer and help my sister, mother, niece and friends with the same.
Lastly, my love for music is not new. I’ve always enjoyed listening to old & new Hindi, Kannada and Telugu songs.
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