Shrenik Shah, Asia Pacific Kindness and Leadership Awardee, Global Influencer, Mentor and Keynote Speaker shared a post on LinkedIn:
”We speak a lot about disability. But not enough about what keeps people able to live, work, love, and rise again.
Today is International Disability Day.
India officially records around 26.8 million people living with disabilities.
Global reports estimate it may be 5 – 8% of our population, far higher than what’s captured.
And worldwide, 1 in 6 people live with a significant disability.
The numbers are huge.
But my life taught me something deeper, statistics don’t decide who survives. People do.
The part no one tells you
When I lost my natural voice 28 years ago, the world expected my story to shrink.
- A man in his mid-40s
- A laryngectomy
- No natural speech
- Massive surgeries
- Radiation
- Five years of follow-ups
- A business to run
- A family to support
Most would assume the ending was written right there.
But my life unfolded differently.
Because people didn’t step back, they stepped closer.
My wife held the family together.
My sons sacrificed their youth to shoulder responsibilities I could no longer voice.
Doctors, nurses, technicians, ward boys, security staff, they treated me like I still belonged.
Friends became caregivers.
Strangers became guides.
I did not walk out of cancer alone. I was carried by a community that refused to give up on me.
That’s why I call myself lucky. And this luck became my new strength
When my physical voice ended, my purpose began.
I rebuilt my life from silence. I found a new voice through impact, not sound.
At 73 today:
1. I’ve delivered 9,000+ hours of global speaking and counselling
2. Touched 100,000+ lives and motivated millions through 7 Tedx talks and Josh Talks.
3. Worked with cancer hospitals, medical colleges, corporations.
4. Been featured in a book where Chapter 1 is my story titled “I AM HERE TO STAY.”
5. Continue to travel, guide, and inspire, without a single vocal cord.
Because disability didn’t define me.
The people who stood beside me did.
So here’s my message today.
On International Disability Day, I don’t want to discuss what I lost. I want to honour what I gained, a support system that turned survival into service, and adversity into a mission.
If you’re someone who stands by a person fighting their battles – your presence may be the reason they continue their journey.
P.S.-If your team, students, or organisation needs a session that reminds people of resilience, possibility, and purpose, let’s talk. I’d be honoured to bring this voice to you.”
More posts featuring Shrenik Shah on OncoDaily.
