‘The Choice We Have Is To Give Up Or Keep Going’ Guest Post By Shobhika Kalra

It is truly said that we become better human beings when we go through tough times in our lives as the challenges of life are meant to bring out the best in us! What will you think about a young girl in her twenties who has been bound to a wheelchair since the age of 17- that you should show sympathy and pity for her? No way! Meet lovely girl Shobhika Kalra who is full of love for life and not only living her own dreams but also helping millions like herself to realize theirs. Here’s her story written by herself. Get inspired!

Shobhika Kalra and Wings of Angelz

I am Shobhika Kalra- a 28 years old Indian girl based in Dubai. I am wheelchair bound due to a degenerative disorder that I was detected with at the tender age of 13. At the time I was diagnosed with this rare disorder felt I was rejected by God at that time. I thought if God didn’t want me, why would my friends want me? Before they could put out of their lives wanted to be the one to do it. All of a sudden I cut contact with them and went into depression. I didn’t step out of the bedroom for 2 yrs. I didn’t interact with any guests who visited home and neither did I step out of my room. During this phase of my life, I put myself into a self-exile. It was a very tough phase and I had lost the confidence to face the world. I felt betrayed by everyone (though it was no one’s fault). During this phase, I kept questioning God, “Why me”. One fine day, when I was all by myself, I felt as if someone spoke to me. It could be my inner self or a divine power which answered my question. It said, “You are my special angel. I did not make you ordinary because I want you to achieve the extraordinary and make a difference in the world.”

I decided to muster all my courage. I told my parents I wanted to pursue further education. My parents were very supportive and I got myself enrolled at the university. It was only the beginning of the journey. Today, I’ve completed my graduation and I’m pursuing my masters, I run my own beauty blog called Naturally Beautiful and along with a few friends run a social initiative called Wings Of Angelz which aims to make the world wheelchair friendly.

There are times when I wish I didn’t get tired of writing a two hour examination paper, I wish I could walk around wearing high heels like my peers, dance, go hiking on the mountains, workout at fitness first, go out for parties and just be like any other ordinary 28 years old but I know that we all are created for a purpose and I am living this beautiful life to identify and serve the purpose of my creation . The purpose could be as small as bringing a smile to my family’s face, providing a shoulder to my hardworking parents, listening and solving the silly problems of my elder sister’s “complicated” life (lol) or creating wheelchair accessibility through my initiative, Wings Of Angelz. Today, Wings Of Angelz has successfully managed to build over 1000 ramps with key organisations including RTA, Aster Pharmacy, Emaar etc. The initiatives were nominated in the top 6 for the Arabian Business’ Entrepreneur of the Year Award and have been featured in the book Insights and Actions for their contribution to society. This initiative is in line with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed ‘ s vision of making Dubai disabled friendly by 2020. Wings Of Angelz was recently featured in a book called ‘Actions and Insights – Middle East & Africa’ , which was launched by Sheikha Lubna.

I personally believe that the single biggest reason due to which places are not accessible , is the lack of awareness. 

I recently went scuba diving to spread awareness about wheel chair accessibility.

Inclusion and accessibility are important goals to ensure everyone gets equal opportunities. I was recently awarded for my community service by H.E.Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, U.A.E’s Minister of Tolerance. I, Shobhika Kalra, was awarded She the Change – Udhyami award from Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2019 in Varanasi. I am the youngest Indian in the Middle East to receive She the Change – Udhyami award. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2019 was an initiative by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi where I participated and informed people in India about my work.

While I await the unravelling of the mysteries of my life,I pray to the Lord to grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can and the Wisdom to know the difference.