“When he can fight back from a life-threatening disease like cancer and return to the field with the same magic, why can’t I?” asked Arunima Sinha, for whom India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh’s emotional return to international cricket was an inspiration in her bid to live her dream.
Arunima, a former national level volleyball player, became the country’s first amputee to conquer Mount Everest last week. Trained by the legendary Bachendri Pal and supported by Tata Steel Adventure Foundation, Arunima scaled the world’s highest peak in 52 days, completing her journey on May 21.
From lying injured besides the railway tracks to the peak of Mt Everest, Arunima’s story is about determination, grit and her never-say-die spirit.
Speaking to reporters here after arriving from Kathmandu, Arunima said that before the train incident in April 2011, she had never considered a foray into mountaineering. She was thrown off a moving train, and in a bid to save her life, the doctors had to amputate her left leg below the knee.
“The journey has been full of challenges. After the accident, I was completely shattered and bed-ridden for five months. When people used to visit me in the hospital, they used to sympathise which I never liked.
“I took it as a challenge to do something and become an inspiration for many like me. I never wanted to be seen as a handicapped or helpless person.
“One morning, I saw a newspaper article which mentioned three routes to the Everest and I decided I wanted to do the same. My brother was a great support for me then,” recollected the 26-year-old, who started her preparation to the Everest on March 3, 2012, while still being in hospital.
Detailing her expedition, the Lucknow-based Arunima said she had to overcome more difficulties than a normal climber as “I had to be careful with my artifical leg”.
“There was a time when the gel in my leg had slipped out and there was blood but I could not dare to either remove my gloves or bare my leg as it could have led to severe frostbite. But I took my time and fixed it up before starting to climb again.
“In the steep slopes too, I had problems in pointing forward due to my artificial leg. Also, in between the expedition I was left with less oxygen in my cylinder and many advised me to stop but I did not give up,” said Arunima. Though she aspires to start a sports academy for poor and physically challenged children in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, the high-spirited women added, “Just wait and watch” when asked what she wanted to do next.