About Me
For someone who missed out on the great outdoors for most of my teenage years, the past 2 decades have given me much to be grateful for. I ran my 1st Marathon in 2002 and didn't look back. 30+ marathons and many ultras later, I'm still challenging myself - this time for the Tata Mumbai Marathon.
I'd like to dedicate this race to AADI (for inspiring my friend Charulekha to join their mission 30 years ago!) and the 1000's of Deepaks that AADI supports -- as they surmount their daily challenges (what most of us take for granted). Differently-abled people have abilities, desires & potential - and deserve our support.
Before I push myself on race day, I want to push myself to reach the fundraising target. Hope you will support me.
Appeal
Deepak™s Journey of Perseverance:
Dr. Deepak Chauhan received the Achievers Award on World Cerebral Palsy Day 2022 from ADAPT, Mumbai. Deepak™s journey from a studying in a local school in Haryana to gaining a MBBS degree at PGIMS, Rohtak, is remarkable. He is currently a junior resident, pursuing MD (Radio-Diagnosis) at AMC Dibrugarh.
Deepak has cerebral palsy and the condition makes it difficult for him to move from one place to another on his own and experiences bladder control issues. Since childhood, Deepak aspired to pursue medical studies and become a doctor and got the support of AADI every step of the way. He belongs to a disadvantaged socio-economic background and lives with his family in a village in Faridabad district, Haryana. His father is a daily wage earner and his mother has a disability.
Deepak completed his primary and middle education at a government school situated in his village. The Government Senior Secondary School was at a distance of 2 km from his house. Given the distance, his father wanted him to discontinue his education after middle school. But Deepak was determined to continue his education and enlisted the support of his younger brother, who agreed to take him to school on his bicycle. This way he completed Class 12. One of his relatives then offered him a job in New Delhi Municipal Corporation as a gardener. His father was keen but Deepak again stood his ground. He was steadfast in pursuing his ambition of studying medicine. His father gave in to his son™s desire and sent him to Delhi for coaching and preparation for NEET-UG, where despite many difficulties, he pursued his passion to clear the entrance exam. In the second attempt, Deepak was successful and realized his dream of becoming a doctor. He secured 2nd rank in the Physically Handicapped category of NEET-UG in Haryana State and gained admission in PGI-Rohtak.
He is the first in his family to have completed a professional degree and has made his family and village proud. However, he is not resting on his laurels. After completing his Junior Residency, he set his sights higher and appeared for the NEET-Post Graduate Entrance Exam.
Hats off to the young doctor's determination and to the consistent support provided by his family, friends, educational institutions, and the dedicated team of the Rural Program AADI.
Please contribute to AADI™s work to enable them to continue to support the dreams and aspirations of many young people with disabilities like Deepak.
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