Priya

A 3,200 feet high trek to a monastery in Bhutan brought Priya Mohan calmness, but she felt discomfort in her lungs. The high altitude trek in October was during a family vacation.

The 22 year old had taken time off after prematurely rushing back to competition in March. A collapsed lung , a medical condition where air gets between the lungs & the chest wall & applies pressure, had put brakes on the promising one -lap runner’s career two years ago.

She was in ICU for five days& then rested at home in Bengaluru for two months. Then started rehabilitation. The Bhutan trip was a reminder that she had not fully healed. She sketched anime, appeared for two semester exams for her bachelor’s degree in sports management & to reflect on her life.

Earlier this week she ran both the 100 meters & 200 meters races at the Indian Open in Chennai. An all -out 400m is still some time away for the two time World Under -20 , 4 x400m mixed relay medalist, but Priya heaved a sigh of relief.

From not being able to walk because of pain in the lungs, Priya has made progress & hopes to clock fast timings in the pet event soon.

Youngsters need to be told stories of such motivated youngsters. Injuries are part of life but rising above them is real success!!!