05/12/2020
“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
- Coelho, P.
I had the honor of being part of an extremely gifted student, an established painter and artist. His story moved my oceans and created turbulence. He is one of the reasons why I pursued special education program under Fulbright. My own journey is that of acquired language and having to struggle with correcting my spoken words. Barkaat’s journey is a meticulous effort of reclaiming his lost language through a different medium. After a near fatal hit & run traffic accident whilst in his final year of Chartered Accountancy, his brain sustained severe injuries. Waking up from a coma 3 months later, his family endeavored to come to terms with his new diagnosis, aphasia. Arshia, his sister and a neuro-physician initiated the gigantic task of employing art as therapy for her brother’s recovery.
From being paralyzed on his right side of body, to struggling to recall his natural acquired language, a journey of thousand steps began, encompassed with failures, medical interventions and renewed success.
Living with aphasia in a social setting which does not understand ‘loss of language’ or alternate means of communications proved to be an arduous task. Together with his family, Barkaat explored new mediums to express his loss to eventually transform them into hope for himself and others. From learning to draw with his left hand to creating internationally acclaimed masterpieces, Barkaat played with his life’s odd cards. With a fine analytical and lexical skill set that were lost, he self-practiced and enrolled in a BFA program to graduate onwards to a Masters. His painting reflected his innate ability to focus on details ‘as he reconciled with his existence’.
A big part of my consultancy’s Why I do what I do?" and through this series, “owning your why", I hope you reflect courageously on your own passions and purpose to find your why. Each setback should be an opportunity to re-dream and do more.
