Thiruvananthapuram: Shyam Kumar who is in his early twenties and an amputee, has been pedalling to his destiny with one leg. For him, what matters is the strength of the mind, not of the missing leg.
Hailing from Peyad in Thiruvananthapuram, Shyam was born with three kidneys, and his right leg attached to his lower back. When he was eight years old, Shyam’s right leg had to be amputated. His kidneys function only up to 23 percent efficiency. None of these has affected Shyam though. A sophomore pursuing BSc Psychology at MG College in Thiruvananthapuram, Shyam, now 20 years old, cycles with the artificial limb that received after the surgery. He regularly uses his bicycle to commute to college which is almost 20 kilometres from where he stays.
On the days when his artificial limb fails to fit properly, he makes it to college on his cycle without it. Shyam has to take about 30 tablets a day. He has undergone 14 surgeries ever since his birth. Besides, he also needs to get a kidney transplant done.
Shyam’s father Sreekumar, a daily wage worker, is the only breadwinner in the family. Shyam derives his motivation from cycling.
His ambition is to become a famous cyclist. He aims to participate in the Paralympics. He also dreams of making a solo trip to the Himalayas on his cycle.
