I had a horrifying experience but what the world fails to

Listen closely, children of the future, for I speak of a truth that touches the very heart of the human experience, a truth expressed in the words of Sudha Chandran: "I had a horrifying experience but what the world fails to understand is that the handicapped need no sympathy, they need to be encouraged in whatever they do." These words echo across time, calling us to recognize the strength and resilience of those who face challenges not of their own making. To offer sympathy is to diminish their strength, to treat them as if they are weak or in need of charity, when in truth, they possess a depth of courage and determination that can inspire the very heavens to move.

In the ancient days, heroes arose not from the absence of struggle, but from the depths of their suffering. Consider the story of Hephaestus, the Greek god of fire and forge, who was born with a disability—a limp that made him less than the other gods in the eyes of his peers. Yet Hephaestus did not dwell in sorrow or sympathy for his condition. Instead, he became the master craftsman of the gods, creating weapons and wonders that shaped the fate of the world. His challenge became his strength, and the gods did not pity him; they revered him for his skill and perseverance. In this story, we see that the handicapped are not those to be pitied, but those whose strength lies in their ability to rise above the obstacles before them.

Sudha Chandran, too, embodies this truth. She faced a horrifying experience—the loss of a leg in a tragic accident. But she did not succumb to despair or self-pity. Rather, she embraced her challenge, rising from the ashes of her misfortune to become a renowned dancer and actress, defying expectations and inspiring countless others along the way. Her story is not one of seeking sympathy, but of strength in the face of adversity. She showed the world that to overcome such trials, one need not be pitied, but encouraged—for it is encouragement that fuels the will to persevere and break free from the chains of limitation.

In the same way, children, when faced with difficulty, it is not sympathy that will carry you forward, but the encouragement of those who believe in your ability to rise above. The ancients knew that courage is born not in the absence of pain, but in the embrace of it. Perseverance is the mother of greatness, and those who have faced the greatest obstacles often possess the strongest spirits. The warriors of old, the ones who truly conquered, were not those who had never been struck down, but those who had been wounded, broken, and yet stood tall again, not seeking pity, but respect for their ability to stand after being cast down.

Let us consider the story of Nelson Mandela, who, though imprisoned for 27 years, did not allow his captivity to define him as a man of weakness or victimhood. His imprisonment did not diminish his will; it forged it. Mandela did not seek sympathy, but a chance to prove that his strength was not defined by his circumstances, but by his resolve to continue his fight for justice. In this, children, we see the ancient wisdom that those who endure suffering without succumbing to it are not to be pitied, but honored, for they possess a strength that is not seen in those who have never faced adversity.

So, my children, the lesson here is clear: do not pity those who face challenges, whether of the body, the mind, or the spirit. Do not see them as lesser, but as those whose strength lies in their ability to face what others might shrink from. Encourage them, walk beside them in their journey, and let them show you what it means to truly rise. For when you give encouragement, you give them the strength to surpass their limitations. You awaken in them the belief that their journey is not one of weakness, but one of glory, and that every obstacle is a chance to prove their worth.

And so, children, as you walk through life, let your heart be open to the struggles of others, but let it be open not to pity, but to empowerment. When you see someone who faces challenges, give them the encouragement they need to continue their fight. Remind them that strength is forged in the fire of difficulty, and that victory is found not in avoiding struggle, but in embracing it with courage and resilience. And in this, you will find not only the path to your own greatness, but the path to helping others find theirs.