It all dates back to 2015 when I was young, wild, and free. At that time, I was just 18 years old. I had never imagined that one day I would have to live a life with a disability.
When I was around 16 or 17 (I can't recall the exact age), I slowly began to lose my hearing. We did a medical check-up in the early stages, but the results didn’t seem too serious. So, the doctor gave me some medicine. I believed it would cure me since I wasn't born deaf.
As time passed, however, my hearing got worse. Because of this, we went for another check-up. This time, the results were disappointing. I didn’t know what the doctor told my father until he revealed it when we got home. According to the examination, I might not be able to hear again, meaning I would have to live with hearing loss for the rest of my life.
When my mother learned about the medical results, she cried like a child, though I didn’t see her crying. No mother wants her child to see her in tears, isn’t that right?
That's only part of my disability. I may look fit and fine on the outside, like a normal person. But inside, I am carrying a lot of pain and battling diseases you cannot even imagine.
After I lost my hearing, the illness slowly began to affect my body. At the age of 18, I started feeling weakness in my lower limbs. This time, we moved as quickly as possible to seek treatment. It was during my 12th-grade exams. I only managed to sit for my English exam before we hurried to Kathmandu for further treatment.
At Tribhuwan University Teaching Hospital, I was admitted for 14 days. The daily dose of injections was painful, but I had to endure it for better treatment. Despite the 14-day hospital stay, the doctors couldn't identify my exact illness at first. Finally, on the last day, they concluded that I was suffering from Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a very rare condition.
Those 14 days were incredibly difficult for both me and my family. We ran out of money at one point, and my father had to leave his job. He had to borrow a significant amount just for my treatment. I can't imagine how many sleepless nights he went through. Both of my parents are also struggling with their own health issues, but they never showed it to me. They always had a bright smile on their faces when they were with me.
Life is very short. I got to enjoy a few teenage years, but now I'm 28, and I've been living with a disability for the past 10 years. I’ve experienced the ups and downs, the sadness, and the pain that come with it.
As the first-born child in my family, it’s my responsibility to be the breadwinner. But here I am, giving all these burdens to my younger brother. He began looking after our family right after his 12th-grade exams.
Sometimes, I feel sad seeing him and my aging parents, who had high hopes for me. I want to thank my family for always being there for me. Even when I needed to rush to the hospital in the middle of the night, they were always by my side.
I have no words to fully express my gratitude to my friends. I am deeply thankful for all the love, care, and support you have shown me.
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