THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
A class XI Arts student at St Thomas Higher Secondary School, Aldona, 18-year-old Melvin Mendes will prove once again that that nothing is impossible.
One amongst the many who will be participating in HDFC Bank City on Cycle 2019 on February 10 to give a message of ‘fitness with fun’, Melvin will be riding his bike with his prosthetic leg and that’s what makes him special.
An initiative of Fomento Media, the cycling event will begin at 6 am from SAG ground in Campal and Melvin is all set to kick-start his bicycle.
“I am participating in a cycling event for the fourth time,” shares Melvin who lost his right leg in an accident. Six months later, Melvin got his prosthetic leg fitted. And just nine months after his accident, Melvin who did not let the situation get him down, began riding a bike, taking swimming lessons and running.
And he has a medal to prove it too when he ran a marathon in November 2018.
“I was motivated by D P Singh, a Facebook friend who works at the military base, and travels across the country to run,” recalls Melvin who has wholehearted support from his elder brothers, Rezynaldo and Jerome.
His mother Piedade Mendes, a chef in London, and his close friends in Goa also boost his spirits.
He is even planning to go trekking in the hills and climb mountains.
After his 12th exam, Melvin wants to join the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarakhand. Currently, he takes running lessons from his coach Satyanarayan and travels alone to Bengaluru by train for the purpose. “I practice 100 mts and 400 mts running at Bengaluru where I have participated in two running events,” states Melvin who is also taking weekend swimming lessons in Goa. He spends his free time reading inspirational stories and biographies and aims to pursue a career in graphic design.
“My dream is to climb Mount Everest,” says this teenager whose courage must be appreciated. His message to all parents of differently-abled children is this: "Do not discourage your child from setting and achieving impossible goals. Be the wind beneath their wings and let them fly high.”
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City on cycle
February 10, 6 am
The route: Campal ground- Kala Academy- 18 June road- Immaculate church-Mala- Bhatlem, St Inez circle- Caculo mall- Caranzalem circle- Sharada Mandir- Miramar- Campal ground
For details, call 8975223900, 9588622942, 9158851731, 9922691500
