Sometimes life tests us with difficulties that can change the course of our destiny. These are the moments that test our resilience and dedication and eventually define our path to success. For some, adversities can be too harrowing to deal with, while others triumph over them and pursue their dreams.
Paraplegic swimmer Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh is one such individual who overcame all odds in his pursuit of success. Aalam’s life changed at the age of 24 when he developed a benign tumour in his lower back that left him paralysed below his chest. But that didn’t stop him from soaring high and winning numerous feats in his sports career. A four-time gold medalist, he holds the record for the longest open sea swim by a paraplegic person. Moreover, he has bagged 15 medals at the Indian National Para-Swimming Championships.
“Sports is special and important to me as it helped me to keep going in life,” says Aalam with a firm determination in his voice while speaking to Soulveda in an exclusive conversation. In a freewheeling interview, Aalam shares his story, and how he overcame all odds to carve his path as a decorated swimmer.
At 24, you discovered you had a tumour in your spinal cord. How did that incident change your life?
It was a heartbreaking moment for me. I was the only person from my village (Rathaus in Madhubani District, Bihar) who had completed engineering and my family and others had a lot of expectations from me. They wanted to celebrate my achievement, but this incident happened in 2010 and nobody could digest it. At that time, I was fit as I was practising karate. Unfortunately, even the doctors could not explain the reason behind this tumour, which caused compression in my spine. My first surgery was unsuccessful and the tumour wasn’t 100 percent removed. Later, through another surgery and lab report, we found that it was a benign tumour.
I was really frustrated and I didn’t know what to do. During the day, I showed strength in front of everyone but I used to cry at night when I was alone. I did research on the internet to find out a cure and medicines for this ailment. But slowly, I started accepting that there’s no cure and I have to live my life in a wheelchair. It took me almost one and a half years to stop crying, get comfortable, and find ways to continue living my life.
How did you motivate yourself to stay strong and continue despite all odds?
Once you are a sportsperson, you are always a sportsperson. You can’t stay quiet. But in life, it’s not possible to win every day. This is what life is and we have to accept ourselves the way we are and move forward. Because of this incident, it took a lot of time for me to learn this truth.
Many people say that empty pockets can teach us life lessons. It also happened to me, when after receiving support, even close relatives distanced themselves, leaving me in a do-or-die situation. In 2012, I started a job at a call center in Mumbai with a minimal salary but it was a life-changing moment for me because I understood that I can move from one place to another, interact with others, and earn. Whatever the salary, at least I could live with dignity because I was not dependent on someone else and could fulfil my desires myself.
Who inspired you the most to go ahead with your career despite your condition?
My mother kept me motivated during this ordeal. She told me, “If one door has closed, then Allah will open a hundred doors for you.” She was my source of motivation and inspiration.
Later, in 2012, I got the opportunity to meet a few athletes such as Rajaram Ghag, Oliver D’Souza among others at the Paraplegic Foundation’s National Games. That’s when I realised that sports can also be played in a wheelchair. Rajaram Ghag completed the English Channel, which is the Mount Everest of swimming. So, if someone living with a disability can accomplish that feat, that is really inspiring. That was the moment I started swimming and the rest is history. I thought even if I can’t play karate, I can still focus on swimming.
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