In August 2016, I was approached by at SAHAI, a Coimbatore-based spinal injury rehabilitation centre (http://sahaitrust.org/) seeking assistance for the purchase of a special wheelchair for an incredibly talented para-athlete.

His name is Manoj Kumar and both his legs were afflicted with polio just a few months after his birth. After being treated as a shame and a burden by his own family, Manoj Kumar moved to ‘Anugraha’, a home for persons with disability that is run by a person with spinal injury, Mr Ravichandran.

Last year, he started competing in district and state level sports events like 100 meter, 200 meter athletics and powerlifting and won a gold medal at the State-level Para-Athletic championship.

In order to ensure that he is able to participate in national level Championships and represent India internationally, “Soulfree” has raised funds in excess of Rs. 4 lakhs and after a long and challenging journey succeeded in importing the wheelchair for him.

We wish to thank Mr Charles José Martin for his generous contribution to our effort and all the donors for supporting our effort. Special thanks are in order for Mr Abhay Mandot of Life Linx and Ms Manjhulaa Narayanan for being integral in the successful completion of the project. The Sahai physiotherapists, Mr Gajendran and Mr Pazhani have aided, encouraged and supported us in every way possible. I also wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my dear friend, Sheryl Sapphire for photographing the unveiling of the wheelchair.
Now, Manoj Kumar is going to compete in his first national level tournament at Jaipur, Rajasthan on the 31st of March 2017 and we seek your best wishes and blessings. We pray that he is able to fulfil his highest potential and make India proud, with the grace of God.​