Meet Amresh Bhimsingh Kumbhari and yourealize he is different for more reasons than just one. What separates him fromother kids of his age is, not his intellectual disability, but the unmatchedperseverance and determination that lies within. A student of Gujarati SamajEducational Trust for the Handicapped, Amresh made India proud at the 2011Special Olympics World Summer Games, Athens by winning gold medals in 500m and2x100m relay race in roller skating. In addition, he stood fourth in the 300mrace.
Oswy Michell Rebello, Amresh’s coach,shares details about Amresh’s love for roller skating. “When we gave him theprofessional roller skates, he seemed to be unusually comfortable on them. Hecould walk and balance himself with ease. He fell several times, but he wantedto get up and learn the tricks of the trade, which he eventually did. Westarted training him for the World Games in 2007. Although a shy person bynature, his hardwork and willingness to learn more helped him master the skill.”
At the World Games, it wasn’t an easy taskfor theIndian athletes. The mammoth stadium, the large audience and theuneasiness of interacting with athletes from other parts of the world scaredthem to a certain extent. Oswy adds, “To distract them from the pressure, weused to take them out for recreational activities. We used to motivate them,boost their confidence and talk about how they needed to make their parentsproud. What left us in awe is the maturity with which Amresh handledeverything. It all worked in the end - for him and for us too!”
Amresh’s mother can’t control her tears whileexpressing gratitudetowards the people who helped Amresh achieve success. Shesays, “Not even in the wildest of our dreams had we thought about this. Wecouldn’t have afforded to afford the expenses involved. It was made possible solelybecause of the help from his coach and Victor Vaz (President, SpecialOlympics).”
Now since the games are over, Amresh plansto take up coaching. He wants to train other athletes and also compete withregular kids in skating. He even wants to assist Oswy. “I often challenge him(Oswy) and tell him that I could be a better coach than him,” says Amresh, witha mischievous twinkle in his eye.
