From enjoying basketball in a wheelchair to establishing her personal spice enterprise, Sumarty from Kashmir has shattered a number of stereotypes to show her mettle regardless of her incapacity.

Born and raised within the picturesque Kashmir valley, life was cheerful for Sumarty. She loved going to high school and assembly her mates. However at some point, she returned house working a excessive temperature.

“We thought it was common flu. However when my dad and mom took me to the physician, we had been informed that I’d not be capable to stroll ever once more now,” she tells The Higher India.

Sumarty was simply 10 years previous then. As an alternative of going to high school, she began visiting hospitals.

After the household was turned down by medical doctors in Kashmir, they went to Mumbai the place surgical procedure was carried out to deal with her legs. “After surgical procedure, the physician provided me [specially designed] footwear. With its assist, I used to be in a position to take small steps. However these footwear had been very heavy, I used to be pressured to discard them,” she provides.

Finally, Sumarty needed to depend on a wheelchair to maneuver round. By this time, she needed to discontinue her schooling. “Whereas kids from the neighbourhood went to high school, I’d watch them sitting in my wheelchair at house. I didn’t perceive why this was taking place to me,” she says.

Issues worsened when her father, her “solely pillar of assist”, handed away. “Aside from my father, everybody else doubted my capabilities. However he all the time inspired me to dream large. I missed him. There have been days, after I would find yourself crying all day, sitting alone in my room. I used to be stepping into despair,” she says.

“By now, I realised that both I’ve to finish my life or wrestle to show myself. I selected the latter. I wished to show to the world that folks like me also can obtain one thing. I had simply misplaced my capacity to stroll, not my capacity to make use of my mind,” she provides.

That’s when Sumarty determined to step up for herself.

In 2015, she opened a boutique however needed to shut it a few years later because the work affected her eyesight. She says, “However I wished to attempt my fingers at the whole lot. So, I made a decision to play basketball as effectively. I’ve additionally been awarded a number of instances by the Jammu and Kashmir Basketball Affiliation.”

Lately, Sumarty ventured into promoting distinctive spices of the Kashmir valley, just like the well-known Kashmiri crimson chilli powder.

“As we speak, I’ve established my very own enterprise with out anybody’s emotional or monetary assist. Individuals would query me what I might obtain sitting in a wheelchair, all this when their educated and able-bodied kids sat idly. Now the exact same individuals give my instance to others,” she says.

Sumarty believes that individuals with disabilities ought to by no means doubt themselves. “In case you take heed to others [say negative things], chances are you’ll find yourself depressed. As an alternative of residing inside the confines of a room, attempt to empower your self. Don’t let your incapacity outline you,” she advises.

Edited by Pranita Bhat; All photographs courtesy Sumarty.