Shillong, Aug 22: When electricity surged through his body seven years back, Ïarapborlang Chyne was left bedridden at the prime of his youth. But now he is set to become Meghalaya’s first blade runner.
This is no ordinary story but an awe-inspiring tale of 34-year-old Ïarapborlang of Nongmensong who clung on to life after being electrocuted and lost both his upper and lower limbs in 2018.
Seven years he experienced horrifying injuries but now has risen above disabilities and on the way to achieve greater heights with positivity and determination.
In aid of Ïarapborlang came the one-year-old Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) Centre as now he can eat and drink, use a pen for writing and even type on a computer. The centre is also training him to become a blade runner.
Ïarapborlang who currently trains on blades used for marathons said he would eventually like to upgrade to another blade used for sprinting.
Talking to Highland Post, Ïarapborlang said in the beginning he was pessimistic and kept thinking that he will have to spend the rest of his life being bed-ridden. Yet now he is training with the Sports Authority of India, Sports Training Centre in NEHU.
Ïarapborlang said the PMR Centre in Laban led by Dr. Lahunlang Sohliya, Managing Director is helping him in his rehabilitation process. He is also thankful to the Governor of Meghalaya, CH Vijayashankar for providing him with the marathon blade.
Meanwhile, Dr. Sohliya said that in 2018, when she first met with Ïarapborlang, she found him in despair.
According to her due to the accident, gangrene began to spread and amputation was the only option. She said that initially, he was given walking prosthesis – artificial legs so that he can gain confidence to walk.
Dr. Sohliya said that when he started to walk again it was during time that he began to have hope and slowly he was provided with the running blades.
“There are people who you feel have the will power and Ïarapborlang was one such person,” she said.
Before Ïarapborlang was provided with the running blades, his physical training process was on where he eventually got out of his situation, Dr Sohliya said.
The blades provided to Ïarapborlang were customized that enabled him to walk or run after a gap of eight years.
She said that Ïarapborlang is now preparing to compete in the Paralympics sports and hopes to win the competitions and compete abroad.
Ïarapborlang is poised to be the first Indian, who has no hands or legs to prepare for a Paralympics race. “We are preparing him to reach the international level,” she said.
The PMR centre will provide Ïarapborlang with physical training, which include endurance and stamina training, a sports psychologist to enhance his mental and emotional well-being and even taking care of his nutrition.
“What separates the first from the second place winner is the will power,” Dr. Sohliya remarked.
