Ability trumps disability: The real life story of Manish Patel

For 29 years-old Manish Patel, life was never easy. From fighting cancer at an early age by dropping from board exams to undergoing 15 surgeries in the past 15 years, and from getting his left leg amputated to taking the Medical Council of India (MCI) head on in Gujarat High Court. He has done it all only to emerge triumphant over his disabilities, with his abilities.

The life story of Manish is a perfect example of grit, perseverance, and confidence, where there is no place for 'no' as an answer.

The son of a farmer from Mehsana, Manish was always good at studies. However, when he was to appear for class X in 2003, he was detected with a tumour on his left leg near knee joint. It was a tough decision, but he had to get the cancer treated and chose to drop from school.

He had to eventually go for a knee-joint replacement that made his life normal for a while and he completed his X and XII with over 90 per cent marks.

Thereafter, he secured a seat in MBBS in BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad, under the physically handicapped category, with a certified 50 per cent disability. As per MCI rules, a candidate having a disability ranging between 50 and 70 per cent can only be admitted for medical courses under physically handicapped category.

As Manish moved on to the second year in MBBS, he had to counter infection in his artificial knee joint and he had to again go for a knee replacement surgery in which a titanium implant was used. However, his body rejected the titanium implant and he somehow cleared MBBS, albeit with multiple complications crippling his life.

Now, came the life altering turn, when after passing MBBS, he decided to get his leg amputated (over knee) to get over the complications and secure a position in post-graduation. He decided to use a

'Ottobock microprocessor controlled Trans Femoral prosthesis comprising of C-leg Knee Joint, Triton Foot'. It helped him in resuming a normal life where he can walk, stand for long hours, etc.

However, the amputation increased his disability percentage to 75 per cent, which became a deterrent in appearing for PG entrance, as it was in contravention of MCI norms. Manish was not ready to take a 'no' for an answer and approached the high court, which provided relief to him. He eventually completed his PG from Government Medical College, Nagpur, before the high court recently pronounced the verdict in his case.

Now, a successful anaesthesiologist, Manish argues: "How can norms which belong to the British era decide the abilities of a differently-able person? Technology has made several impossible things possible and the outdated rules must take it into account".

Manish, who wishes to take part in para-olympics, told DNA that the problems of differently-able people is aggravated by the mentality of society and the government, which has assumed that they cannot do anything, a mindset which certainly needs to change.

A TRAILBLAZER

Son of a farmer from Mehsana, Manish was always good at studies. However, when he was to appear for class X in 2003, he was detected with a tumour on his left leg near the knee joint. he secured a seat in MBBS in BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad, under the physically-handicapped category, with a certified 50 per cent disability.