The journey that never ends | Priya Bhargava

Life's Difficult Phase:

At the age of 19, during her graduation in Physiotherapy, she was diagnosed with a rare unpredictable incurable autoimmune disease called Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as “Lupus”. She was inducted with chemotherapeutic drug to control this disease, which can only be managed by medicines, that had made her weak and bald. Severity of disease, side effects of medicines and fear of losing her dream career led her into clinical depression called Schizophrenia. 2-3 months of medications, engagement in her hobbies and with parents’ support, she recovered faster.

The happiness of rejoining the college again shattered when she eventually got bedridden and had to undergo several surgeries; blood, plasma, platelet transfusions along with skin grafting, several times. During this she had to be face to face with death two times in the pursuit of recovering from the infections caused due to infusion of immunosuppressive drug in order to make her recover from dormant state.

Her much awaited wish of walking again normally came to an end when she was told by the doctor that her spine has been damaged up to the extent that it can’t be repaired. Now, she had to use wheelchair for rest of her life to commute with 80% disability (“Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with sequelae paraplegia and neurogenic bowel and bladder”).

Recovery Phase and Heroic Journey:

She used to spend time in her hobbies like teaching students, painting, writing poetry, photography, and singing; which later helped her recover and move forward in life to pursue the socially useful career as a Psychologist, which helps and motivates the budding youths specially the girls and women through counselling, educating and teaching them life skills to cope with the ups and downs in life.

She wanted to do something in her life rather than crying on what she had already lost. She had to restart everything from zero. She determined to do graduation in computers besides teaching students to fund all the expenditures incurred on it. She topped in Bachelors and Masters (BCA & MCA) in IGNOU Regional Centre, NOIDA. (2009-2014) and Later Masters in Psychology (University 2nd Position). Becoming first class double post graduate.

Exhibited and sold her art and crafts, got an opportunity to work for a dress designer whose work was exhibited in Delhi and Dubai.

Participated in ‘Miss Wheelchair India’ contest in 2015 and won it.

Played wheelchair rugby but couldn’t pursue due to disease related issues like sun sensitivity, bladder-bowel dysfunction, osteopenic bones etc.

Started writing for online portals like New York based Popularium, India based thecompletewomen.in, Inclov, Quora and co-authored the book “Holding My Tears”.

She has been a motivational speaker wherein she motivate youngsters especially girls/women including PwDs through her life story and achievements at prestigious institutions/schools like TIFAC, IIT Delhi, Delhi University, Lovely Professional University, Galgotias, Woman Entrepreneur Summit, Amity International School, Salwan Public School, J P International School,TEDx and many more.

Her Social Work and Recognitions:

During her public/personal discourses/sessions/workshops she advice girls/women on health, fitness, communication skills and self independence which lead her to become the Brand Ambassador of Federation of Obstetric & Gynaecological Societies of India; which deals with women’s issues and their empowerment.

She later started her You Tube - ‘LIFE COACH Priya Bhargava’.

She has been teaching underprivileged students especially girls for the past many years including neighbourhood children who are not only motivated but are also learning various things by interacting as well as learning by doing like crafts, arts, cooking, speaking skills, writing skills, singing etc. Besides that upper class students learn to live with unity and equality. She teaches them life skills like environment friendliness, planting trees, and attaching their name-tabs with the plants and nurturing them.

On some festive occasions students cook different food items/ dishes by themselves and bring in the class, explain cooking processes and learn from each other. She do tell them to maintain clean green India (Swatchh Bharat Abhiyaan) by not throwing garbage in public. She teaches them to implement science in their real life for e.g. wearing several layers of clothes keep them warmer than wearing single woollen garment, recycling, reuse etc are encouraged. Optimal utilisation of resources are being taught through her You Tube channel as well.

She is an active participant in the Govt. of India’s “Accessible India campaign” where she has filed a petition to make cinemas/malls accessible. Her 2nd petition is to bring strict law for making every school-vehicle’s colour mustard yellow and other vehicles in the vicinity must give way to the school buses. This will ensure safety of the school children upto some extent to avoid accidental deaths and disabilities.

Profiled and Recogitions:

Her life has been profiled in prominent news organizations like DDUrdu, ZeeNews, The Quint, Newz Hooks, Being You, The Times of India, The Hindu, Sakhi, Dainik Jagaran, The Indian Express, Open magazine and many more.

For her work, she has been awarded by Govt. of India (Min of MSME) in coordination with Woman Entrepreneur Association “NAARI PRATIBHA PURASKAAR” at WES 2017.

She had represented India at Miss Wheelchair World Beauty Contest held from 29th Sept to 7th Oct.2017 at Warsaw, (Poland). Now, she is the Ambassador of Miss Wheelchair World in India.

Her story is also being taught in Colleges/Schools curriculum in Moral Science Books. The book’s name is “Gems for Life”.

She has made a record by being the first PwD published as a cover girl of the first edition of Literary Magazine, Tales & Tellers.

At present she is practising as a Counselling Psychologist.

Awards and Recognitions:

• Ambassador Miss Wheelchair World in India ( International Award)

• Miss Wheelchair India 2015 – Winner ( National Award)

• “Naari Prathibha Puraskaar” 2017 by Govt. of India in coordination with Women Entrepreneur Association. (National Award)

• National Mental Health Council member of WICCI

• Excellence Award 2021 as a Best Motivational Speaker By IHRO & IIBA ( International )

• National Medical Achiever Award 2017. (National Award)

• Greenfly Excellence Award 2017-“Vanquisher”. (National Award)

• TEDx Speaker (2 Times)

• Jury at The Fashion Show of Rural India Women Club

• Group Exhibition at RPR Gallery, Delhi

• "Inspiring gem of India” by QITM (National Award)

• FOGSI- H.E.R. Award ( Health Empower Respect)

• Brand Ambassador FOGSI (Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India)

• “Life Empowerment Award 2018” by CED Foundation (National Award)

• “ShowStopper” at Fashion Walk by Cosmopolitan Plus .

• “Shan e Hind” by Young India Organisation.(National Award)

• “Social Excellence Award 2018-2019” by Pinkish Foundation

• “Woman of Influence Award 2019” by Garnet & Gold

• “Woman Empowerment Award 2019” by AGS Creations

• Cover Girl on the Literary Magazine, Tales & Tellers

• Model at YOUTH ICONS 2021 Calendar.

• Best Personality of the Year 2022, by International Inspirational Women Awards ( International Award)

• She is a proud receiver of 7 National Awards & 3 International Awards.