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
  • Get-hooked
  • The incredibly gifted Piyush Sharma defies all stereotypes regarding disability

The incredibly gifted Piyush Sharma defies all stereotypes regarding disability

Get-hooked February 16, 2019
  • 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)

Singer. Guitarist. Flautist. Table tennis champion. Take your pick to define Piyush Sharma because he excels at all four.

-Being on a wheelchair is not stopping 25-year-old Piyush Sharma from chasing any of his passions. From Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, Sharma suffered a spinal cord injury during birth which affected his ability to walk until he was 14 years old. From that point on, he started using a wheelchair. A software engineer with a leading multi-national in Bengaluru, this young man keeps himself busy juggling work and many interests.

Sharma’s early years were hard given he could not move around Shimla easily on his wheelchair given its rocky terrain. Most places were therefore hard to access, but that did not stop him from seeking out the local metal and rock music scene. Having been introduced to music at a young age, Sharma was hooked and keen to learn more.

Rock and metal music was at its peak and very popular during that time. Even when I was in school, I used to go for a lot of music concerts in my town using crutches. It was very challenging because Shimla is a hilly place. But since I was passionate about music, I never let these challenges come my way. I used to sit in a corner during concerts since I could not move around. That is when I decided that I should be going out there and playing instead of sitting in a corner. I started getting my music lessons very soon. – Piyush Sharma

Soon, Sharma was an active member of many bands and not only was he a good vocalist, he was great with the guitar and flute too. Since going for guitar classes was difficult, he learned it online and from friends. He was soon a regular presence at college festivals and concerts.

“What amused me the most was that the audience used to stare at me when I entered the stage on a wheelchair or with crutches. I understand that it might be a new sight to them watching a disabled person perform. But it is high time that people start looking at a disabled person beyond their disability. I am on stage to perform because I have talent and not because I have a disability. I do not want people to appreciate my skills just because I have a disability”, says Sharma.

Sharma has performed on stage on more than 10 occasions and he is passionate about music, he finds time in his busy schedule. “Music gives me freedom. It makes me feel great. No matter how busy I am, I would never keep it aside”, he says.

Sharma was first introduced to table tennis by a college mate at the National Institute of Technology (NIT). He took it up professionally when he moved to Bengaluru four years back. Soon, he got a customised racket and wheelchair to play the game.

“When I was a kid, I used to feel sad when I saw other children play. Now, I am glad that I follow a sport. I represented my state Himachal Pradesh at the national games last year and it was a great experience”.

Shivaprasad S, vice-captain of Indian wheelchair cricket team knows Sharma well. He is the founder of the Divyaang Myithri Sports Academy in Bengaluru where Sharma is manager.

“We came to know each other after he reached out to us when he came to Bengaluru. He has great communication skills and that is what I noticed about him first. He is very passionate about both music and sports. It has been a great experience to work with him”, says Shiv.

Sharma has big plans in the future, the chief one being to form an exclusive band of wheelchair musicians.

ALSO READ: Jisha’s journey with art is a story of determination, passion

Watch in Sign Language

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

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

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature disability stories or share disability news with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Get-hooked

"I asked for my khukri & cut off my leg"- My Take by Ian Cardozo, 1st war disabled Indian soldier to lead a battalion

Accessibility

A mothers contribution towards the cause of Down syndrome

Get-hooked

Understanding weighted blankets

Get-hooked

Understanding Stimming

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook | Disability News - media site focusing on Disability Stories and Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight disability news, offer inclusive solutions and create accessible collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who will share disability stories and news.
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.