This is not a tale of tragedy; it’s a testament to resilience and perseverance. Life has dealt me many blows, but I’ve always found the strength to rise again.
My journey began with a seemingly ordinary childhood, blissfully unaware of the trials that awaited. As a teenager, I was rebellious yet hopeful for the future, dreaming of a career in medicine. However, tragedy struck when I lost my mother in a devastating accident at the age of 20. Determined to stay strong for my family, I buried my grief, only to spiral into a vortex of sickness and uncertainty.
Months later, I woke up one day to find my vision blurred in one eye, a harbinger of the storm to come. Rushed to L.V. Prasad Hospital, an MRI revealed the shocking truth—I had Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Fear gripped me, but little did I know that this diagnosis would ignite a fighting spirit within me. Enduring painful Avonex shots and relentless attacks, I soldiered on, supported by my father and the newly formed MSSI Hyderabad Chapter.
Despite the odds, I completed my MBBS and embarked on a career in paediatrics at Apollo. However, life threw another curveball when I was diagnosed with latent TB, followed by a newfound passion for emergency medicine. Through it all, I battled MS relapses, leaning on the unwavering support of my husband, a merchant navy officer, and my mother-in-law.
Amidst the chaos, we welcomed a daughter through adoption and later, two sons through natural birth. The joys of motherhood were tempered by stress-induced depression and physical ailments, yet I persevered, determined to embrace life to the fullest. Despite setbacks like scleritis and arthritis, I continued to pursue my passions, participating in beauty pageants, modelling gigs, and online work during the COVID pandemic.
My faith in Jesus has been my guiding light through the darkest of days, providing solace and strength when all else seemed lost. Now, as we settle in Singapore as a family, I look back on my 20-year journey with MS with gratitude. Though challenges may lie ahead, I face them with unwavering faith, knowing that I am not alone in this journey. With Jesus by my side, I am ready to conquer whatever comes my way, one step at a time.
