Whose Battle His or Mine

by Archana Kapoor Nagpal
(Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India)

"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are." - Bernice Johnson Reagon

It is true that our experiences shape our views. My experiences made me feel my problem is bigger than yours, and you might feel the other way round.

I was exasperated because my specialist made me wait for 6 hours. But the only good thing was it gave me an idea for this story. Maybe destiny wanted me to wait for the specialist and meet Rishabh.

I had come for the post operative examination and I was under immense pain. Sitting on the chair with a bandaged foot was very uncomfortable. In short, neither could I sit nor could I walk comfortably. The idea of sitting on a wheel chair was just not accepted to me.

I was looking around when I saw an adorable child coming towards the waiting lounge. He was accompanied by his mother, a lady with a big Gucci bag and awesome accessories. She looked more worried than anyone around me. He was dragging a big bag full of toys, mainly cars.

I strongly believe destiny wanted us to meet and maybe that's why they chose to sit next to me. I wanted to pull his cheeks and kiss him on his nose. No wonder his chubby cheeks and fair complexion was a reason not to avoid him.

Soon enough I realised that his eyes were swollen and so were his cheeks. I was hesitant to ask his mother. But I was very curious to know about him. Finally, my curiosity took over my hesitation and I asked his mother, "You have a cute kid. What brings you here?"

She humbly responded, "Rishabh suffers from Nephrotic Syndrome. We have come for his routine examination. Let me explain to you about this syndrome. It is a nonspecific disorder in which the kidneys are damaged, causing them to leak large amounts of protein (proteinuria at least 3.5 grams per day per 1.73m2 body surface area) from the blood into the urine.

This generally happens to children of his age group and Rishabh is suffering from this since he was 10 months. He has been on steroids and medications since that time. The worst is that he will be on these medicines for the next 13 years till he turns 15."

He has never tasted salt as a precautionary measure... that means no chips, junk food and the most lovable thing for a kid – chocolates. At least till he turns 4 he cannot have them and then also only 25% of what a normal human being is prescribed in his daily diet."

Even before I could react they were called by the doctor and she left with Rishabh. I was thoughtless and speechless. My eyes were completely blank and so was my mind. I made a wish deep within for Rishabh to be fine like other children.

I looked at my bandaged foot and felt my discomfort is nothing in comparison to Rishabh's condition. My battle is so small. There are people going through tougher battles in life.

Problems will come and go or they might end with you but life still needs to be lived.

I have learned we should respect life and accept it the way it is gifted to us. Who knows tomorrow you may get rid of your problems so live your today with joy and happiness.

Rishabh is unaware of his problem so life is easy for him with a bag full of toys. If you be unaware of your problems you will also have a bag full of joys. Life is beautiful so why not live it beautifully.