Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Parasports
  • Mandvi Garg battled depression, vision loss to come back as a champion trekker

Mandvi Garg battled depression, vision loss to come back as a champion trekker

Parasports October 22, 2018
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
0

From childhood Mandvi Garg was passionate about a range of sports, be it judo, swimming, handball or volleyball. She represented her school in various events and had every intention of making a career of it until she started losing her vision due to Retinitis Pigmentosa.

About eight years ago, she lost her sight completely.

I was in class 10 when I started losing my vision. Today I cannot see at all. I was active in sports from class 2 and was supposed to play at the national level. I had to give it up because of my failing sight and also because my parents felt I should focus on academics. I sank into depression, gained a lot of weight and suffered a huge loss of confidence. I had a hard time coping with the changes that came with losing my vision.

Today Garg has made a comeback with a bang. It all started quite by accident when she impulsively signed up for a short trekking trip organized by Bachendri Pal, the first Indian women to climb Mount Everest. Her first hike was, in her words, “a horrible, miserable experience as it was raining all through, with the temperature three degrees below zero. “

However, that trek proved life altering.

“I realized that I was so blessed. I had such a comfortable life and contrast that to what people experience on treks, where there is no facility. I felt like the happiest and richest person on earth. I made up my mind to take up mountaineering seriously.”

After some training, she tested her mettle with a 19,600-foot climb at Mt Kanamo in Himachal Pradesh. “When I came back, Bachendriji asked, ‘Do you know what you have done? You are the first fully blind person to climb this height.’ It felt awesome. I was in all the newspapers too!”

That was in 2015 and since then there has been no looking back for this manager with the Oriental Bank of Commerce in Hisar. She has her focus firmly set on a bigger climb – Mount Everest.

“I need to train for that and have done an advanced mountaineering course in Darjeeling. In the meantime, I use every opportunity to take part in events and learn new skills like scuba diving.”

Soon after Mt Kanamo, Garg cycled from Ahmedabad to Junagadh in three days to climb 10,000 steps to reach the famous Girnar temple. She was the only blind person in the group.

She was also brand ambassador for the Pinkathon in Delhi this year, becoming the first blind women in India to run 21 kilometres.

“I am determined not to miss any opportunity. My ultimate goal is Everest and for that I need more training and trainers who are willing to work with me. That remains a challenge.”

Given the story of her remarkable comeback, this is sure to be just a minor roadblock.

ALSO READ:
Amputees Vinod Rawat & Ashok Munne show their mettle in world’s highest cross-country rally

0

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Read more on Newz Hook

  • Get-hooked,Headlines
    Celebrate Achievers with Disabilities with us today
  • Get-hooked
    “UK needs a National Disability Strategy, co-produced with disabled people” – Disability rights champion Kush Kanodia
  • Accessibility,Independent Living
    Affordable and Independent Mobility for Persons with Disabilities in India – Challenges & Way Forward (series 2 of 3)
  • Get-hooked
    Blind MasterChef winner Christine Ha is the face of month-long campaign this International Women’s Day
  • Education,Employment
    A STEPPING STONE TO COVETED CAREERS

Contribue to Newz Hook. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature your inspiring story or share an event with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Related News

Christine Ha has covered her eyes and the words how you see me are on the back of her hand

Get-hooked

Blind MasterChef winner Christine Ha is the face of month-long campaign this International Women’s Day

Invite to the telecast & webstreaming of the 2021 CavinKare Ability Awards at 7pm today.

Get-hooked

Celebrate Achievers with Disabilities with us today

A LinkABILITY session in progress

Education

A STEPPING STONE TO COVETED CAREERS

Kush Kanodia carrying the torch at the 2020 London Paralympics

Get-hooked

“UK needs a National Disability Strategy, co-produced with disabled people” – Disability rights champion Kush Kanodia

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Technology

Chatbot Mera Mitra aims to be the personal companion for all things to do with disability in India

Accessibility

Multiple audio tracks now available on YouTube, including AD for blind viewers

Get-hooked

Micah, boy with autism tells name for first time & Internet cannot stop adoring the cute video!

Technology

#TechThursdays - EMx turns the spotlight on early intervention & inclusive education in the 3rd edition

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook is a media site focusing on Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight stories that share insights into the lives of people with disabilities, offer solutions and create collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who share knowledge about disability, inclusion & accessibility.

Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.