XTRASPECIAL
Siddesh Cuncolcar
Siddesh Cuncolcar is 23, and has recently passed out as a postgraduate in Psychology from Carmel College in Nuvem. Living at Taleigao with his parents and elder brother Sarvesh, Siddhesh has cerebral palsy and faced multiple challenges while growing up.
“The biggest challenge I faced was a feelings of loneliness. I felt born different from others. It did affect me negatively but, yes, with time I have overcome my weaknesses. I was undergoing depression and was very disturbed with my own self. I was searching for peace. Then life offered something beautiful. Drawn towards meditation I completed my 10-day Vipassana meditation course in Ratnagiri where the technique is taught step-by-step each day. After the course I realised several things – especially the connection that I have with the universe and I was able to find myself and deal with the depression which filled me up with energy to fight with my loneliness,” shares Siddesh.
Thankfully remembering one of his elder cousins who supported him without being judgemental, he admits, “It also helped me to a large extent, so he was my motivational force. But I should also mention that I was the biggest motivator of myself. I kept on motivating myself that I can do it. And here I am,” smiles Siddesh who is looking out to start his counselling services or seek a job as a counsellor. He doesn't remember much about school but in college he really got a huge experience during his master's degree as conducting presentations gained him a lot of self confidence.
“I was disabled since my birth. It was difficult even to stand in the past, but after physiotherapy and exercises, I am now able to not even stand without support but walk too. I am blessed to have a caring family. I had lesser friends but they were good,” shares Siddesh whose favourite subjects were geography, science and psychology.
“After my 12th in Commerce, I changed the stream and as I liked psychology a lot, I did BA from Dhempe College in Miramar and then enrolled for MA in psychology. My favourite hobbies are watching movies, listening to music, playing video games, learning guitar, singing, drawing, doing gym and reading poetry, especially shayari,” adds Siddesh who dreams to be a YouTuber and a singer.
“I am good at sports. I play badminton and cricket. I also wish to represent Goa in any sports and also play for India, especially cricket and badminton. I began playing sports during my college days, and it really helped me to open up,” states Siddesh who also indulges in social work, trekking, hiking, travelling, and games. His extracurricular activities include fishing, feeding dogs and travelling.
“In childhood I attended picnics but as I grew up this has reduced. I was in 9th class when I first saw my video as to how I walk or do things. I was lost in a deep thought as to how I look. I was scary how I walk like that because for me I thought I walk normally like others. I wasn't fully aware about my disability but as I got matured I realised that no one is perfect. For me it was my own strength which helped me live life on my terms,” shares Siddesh.
For him, the world seems scary but beautiful, too. “Scary because sometimes it's really hard to go into an environment which is new to you. For example, going for hiking all alone, is beautiful because you can look at it as what experience you got after reaching at the top. Speaking on the lessons of life, I have penned these lines – Life is a precious gift I hold, though no one is perfect, strive to be bold. At times, life acts in ways so hard, dreams may slip, hopes may guard. The love you seek in other’ eyes, may fade, may turn to lies. People may hurt, cut deep and true, yet, leave behind a lesson for you. Lessons whisper, gentle yet clear, no one stays with you forever here, but trust in destiny, let it be known – one day it finds you and you’re not alone!”
On a concluding note Siddesh adds, “Treat everyone with respect as we are also humans. I believe in God. According to my concept when every person leaves you and no one even tries to stay in your life, you can only see one hand which is that of God, who says, hold my hand, I'll never leave you...”
