Grit, Guts and Gumption
Her 90% disability has not prevented Himani Dave from living life on her terms; she is an S Y BCom student and wants to make a career in computer animation
Every moment is a struggle, every day a battle. For more than two decades, Himani Dave has persisted, to enjoy every moment and live life on her own terms. Her parents, Arun Dave and Sunita, have been her pillars of support.Life has never been easy for Himani, a second year BCom student of Umiya Arts and Commerce College for Girls. At birth, she was detected with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a condition causing extremely fragile bones. Sunita was in her seventh month of pregnancy, when doctors found an abnormality in the foetus. Just two years into their marriage then, the Daves decided to go ahead with their ‘special’ child. The MCom, B Ed mom had made up her choice: To become a fulltime mother and put paid to her wishes of becoming a teacher. Their second child, a son who is normal, was born two years later. He now studies MBBS in Sangli.
Mum’s the word
Day in and day out Sunita would delicately tend to her little one, taking care that her brittle bones don’t break. This continued for around six years. When other girls of her age were jumping their way to school, Himani couldn’t even sit. After umpteen visits to doctors, the Daves took their 7-year-old girl to Apollo Chennai, where after multiple surgeries, she was finally able to sit. Something that we all take for granted.
Since it was difficult to get her admitted to a normal school, Himani was admitted to Apang Manav Mandal in Vastrapur when she was 8. Despite in pain with steel rings fixed to her arms and legs to keep her bones intact, she attended classes daily.
Daily, Sunita would lift Himani and put her on the footrest of her two-wheeler and take her to school, sit there the entire day, carry her from class to class and then take her back home. This continued till her class 12.
Sunita said, “More than our fortitude, it was Himani’s tremendous courage and will to fight all odds that made it worthwhile. If it was 20 per cent perseverance by us, it was 80 per cent by her. Whenever we felt tired, her smile would light up our lives and reenergise us to start afresh.”
The dad, too, did his bit. Arun Dave kept her 14-year-old girl close to his chest and ran down the five storeys of his apartment when the earthquake struck on January 26, 2001. Dave, who works as an engineer with ONGC, said, “We have tried to fulfil all her wishes. We took her to Disneyland in the US and to all parts of India. If she is happy, we are happy.”
Learning the hard way
What should inspire today’s class 10 and 12 board students is that Himani studied on her own and wrote her exams without a writer. She cleared her HSC exam in her first attempt with more than 50 per cent and took admission at Umiya Arts and Commerce College for Girls.
Dr Sangeeta Ghate, principal of the college, is all praise for Himani, “When she took admission, we were not sure how we will cope and how other students will take to her. But it has been such a wonderful journey. Her classmates enjoy her company, take her from class to class on a wheelchair and wait till her mother comes to pick her. The entire atmosphere is one of bonhomie.”
Himani who is learning multimedia said, “I want to make a career in computer animation. I would have liked to become a dancer if I was normal,” but she is quick to add, “If it was not for the support my family I wouldn’t have reached so far.”
When asked about today’s youth who commit suicide, she said, “I just can’t understand how people can take their own life when there is much to look forward to, so much to live for.”
Himani loves to sing and has sung songs in college during their annual day. She loves to watch TV serials and movies. Her only wish: “I would love to meet Daya and Jethabhai of Tarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chasma fame since it is my favourite serial.”
Ami Joshi, Hardika Patel and Dimple Vishwakarma who have been her companions in college say in unison, “Since the time we have met her, we’ve learnt a lot from her. If she can do so much and still smile, why can’t we.”
Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Friday, February 10, 2012 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/2/201202102012021002252847963389ad3/Grit-Guts-and-Gumption.html)
It cannot get better than this or it cannot get worse than this. It depends on how you look at it. A 23-year-old girl with multiple deformities and 90 per cent disability has set an example for normal human beings with her never-say-die-spirit.
Every moment is a struggle, every day a battle. For more than two decades, Himani Dave has persisted, to enjoy every moment and live life on her own terms. Her parents, Arun Dave and Sunita, have been her pillars of support.Mum’s the word
Day in and day out Sunita would delicately tend to her little one, taking care that her brittle bones don’t break. This continued for around six years. When other girls of her age were jumping their way to school, Himani couldn’t even sit. After umpteen visits to doctors, the Daves took their 7-year-old girl to Apollo Chennai, where after multiple surgeries, she was finally able to sit. Something that we all take for granted.
Since it was difficult to get her admitted to a normal school, Himani was admitted to Apang Manav Mandal in Vastrapur when she was 8. Despite in pain with steel rings fixed to her arms and legs to keep her bones intact, she attended classes daily.
Daily, Sunita would lift Himani and put her on the footrest of her two-wheeler and take her to school, sit there the entire day, carry her from class to class and then take her back home. This continued till her class 12.
Sunita said, “More than our fortitude, it was Himani’s tremendous courage and will to fight all odds that made it worthwhile. If it was 20 per cent perseverance by us, it was 80 per cent by her. Whenever we felt tired, her smile would light up our lives and reenergise us to start afresh.”
The dad, too, did his bit. Arun Dave kept her 14-year-old girl close to his chest and ran down the five storeys of his apartment when the earthquake struck on January 26, 2001. Dave, who works as an engineer with ONGC, said, “We have tried to fulfil all her wishes. We took her to Disneyland in the US and to all parts of India. If she is happy, we are happy.”
Learning the hard way
What should inspire today’s class 10 and 12 board students is that Himani studied on her own and wrote her exams without a writer. She cleared her HSC exam in her first attempt with more than 50 per cent and took admission at Umiya Arts and Commerce College for Girls.
Dr Sangeeta Ghate, principal of the college, is all praise for Himani, “When she took admission, we were not sure how we will cope and how other students will take to her. But it has been such a wonderful journey. Her classmates enjoy her company, take her from class to class on a wheelchair and wait till her mother comes to pick her. The entire atmosphere is one of bonhomie.”
Himani who is learning multimedia said, “I want to make a career in computer animation. I would have liked to become a dancer if I was normal,” but she is quick to add, “If it was not for the support my family I wouldn’t have reached so far.”
When asked about today’s youth who commit suicide, she said, “I just can’t understand how people can take their own life when there is much to look forward to, so much to live for.”
Himani loves to sing and has sung songs in college during their annual day. She loves to watch TV serials and movies. Her only wish: “I would love to meet Daya and Jethabhai of Tarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chasma fame since it is my favourite serial.”
Ami Joshi, Hardika Patel and Dimple Vishwakarma who have been her companions in college say in unison, “Since the time we have met her, we’ve learnt a lot from her. If she can do so much and still smile, why can’t we.”
