One of the best things I like about a nomadic life is that you get to meet exciting people; people who change your entire perspective of life.
A lot of us feel shattered during adverse situations in life. Even for silliest of reasons like breakup or failure in examinations, youths these days commit suicide. If you feel life has been harsh on you, let me introduce Veronica’s story to you. She is neither a celebrity nor an influencer but is definitely an inspiration; a very ordinary girl with an extraordinary tenacity to fight the turbulence of life with determination.
We often misunderstand or misinterpret woman empowerment these days! Stories like Veronica’s should be discussed more often to understand what empowerment means in its true sense. My motive behind sharing her story is to inspire you to never get de-motivated and quit no matter how hard life may seem! If Veronica could survive her battles with a smiling face, so can you!
As a child I always had the opportunity to see my parents work closely. I got to travel with them, be a part of their social causes and tried to help in any possible way. As I grew up, I gradually realized my passion to work with/for children.
My life soon took a turn when I came across this sweet little child named Veronica. And nothing was same again… this is her story.
“Life is a journey full of ups and downs, unexpected experiences which help to grow, learn and to be someone who can inspire others by sharing their own life story.”
“And that’s what am going to do now”, she said
A Miraculous life
Veronica’s birth was a miraculous one. It was on the 7th month of pregnancy, when her mother had an unfortunate accident and slipped down a flight of stairs. Despite doctors’ suggestions of aborting the baby, her mother fought for her unborn child, and had the baby through normal delivery. She seemed to lead a normal life and soon enough, she was blessed with a younger sister.
But life wasn’t a bed of roses for Veronica, I know for a fact. As she turned 5, she was infected with a brain disease, making one side of the brain like jello. It was the most painful thing to witness ever. We were able to feel the insides of her head, with the touch of a finger.
It was a nightmare for the parents, rushing in and out of hospitals for multiple surgeries and eventually losing all hard earned savings within a year. The doctors completely gave up on Veronica, and declared that she would not survive for long, and even if she did, she would not lead a normal life.
Struggle Continues…
Despite severe financial issues, Veronica completed her education with excellent grades in Bachelors of Science, from Kumaon University.
In spite of being the elder sister to three young siblings, Veronica was still dependent on her parents financially as well as emotionally. But hardly did she know, life was soon preparing to push her on another hard challenge.
In 2014, her father met with an accident that caused brain damage, paralytic attack and memory loss. It was nothing less than a shock to Veronica who loved her father from the deepest core of her heart.
Soon she took over the financial needs of the family and started working multiple jobs, until she found a decent job with an NGO. Emotionally shattered, she started living with the only aim of make her father proud with her activities.
With the help of her new job, Veronica managed her family’s needs, finished her education and got promoted.
“While working in that NGO I felt the pain of those children who don’t have parents. Their pain and my struggle drove me to work hard for them and my family”.
Yet another blow!
In the years to follow, her father recovering slowly gave Veronica the strength and enthusiasm she was missing in life. She would share every little achievement, spend hours with him and narrate her stories every day. However these moments of happiness did not last very long as on the fateful day of 17th June 2017 she lost her father due to a heart attack. Life was dark and aimless all over again.
I can’t help but wonder, what I would have done, if I were in this situation! And I guess you too might be having the same thought, isn’t it?
Though darkness came to invade Veronica’s life once again, yet she couldn’t waste time grieving. Losing her father put a huge responsibility on her shoulders. She now has to take the responsibility of an elder sister, a father and a daughter. The house she lived in was completely out dated. Too add to it, monsoons were a ni
ghtmare as after every session of heavy shower the house would be water logged.
Veronica worked hard, and earned a promotion. She didn’t have to loan any money to build her house. She managed her family’s expense and got her sister to finish M.Sc. Veronica too completed her master in Social Services in the meantime. She went on to help her mother to start a small business which could generate a regular income for the household.
Today Veronica lives in Delhi, away from her family, so that she can work and continue to provide the much needed support system for her family.
She is involved in providing training and skill development programs designed specially for differently-abled people and also works towards providing jobs for them. Veronica also works with women in the slum areas to make them self sustained through various workshops and self development programs.
I don’t think I have come across anyone with such a great combination of a delicate heart and a strong mind. This girl is a miracle child. She has the sweetest smile and the most giving spirit. I am honoured to have known her, teach her and just simply have her in my life. Not everyone believed in her journey, not everyone supported her but a strong faith in her own self and a never-say-die attitude is what has sailed her through the nightmares all these years.
Veronica is like any other normal girl, but never had the privilege to live a normal life of peace. But today she is an inspiration for many in her network. Right now when you are reading this, she might be busy with her NGO helping a poor soul in need.
There are hundreds of Veronicas around us waiting to inspire us with their struggle stories! All we need to do is to see the world from a different perspective!