AHMEDABAD: Born premature with cerebral palsy (CP), a debilitating movement disorder caused by damage to parts of brain that control movement, doctors and hospitals were an integral part of Het Pardeshi’s life as a patient along with his twin, Hem.

Life has come full circle as 17-year old Het, with 50% disability, is set to become a doctor after he recently qualified for admission in MBBS. He will be allotted the college in the final merit list to be declared by the Admission Committee for Professional UG Medical Courses (ACPUMC) on Monday.

Het is the rare CP child who has turned tables on the disease as he readies to study medicine and realize his dream of treating patients battling serious health hazards like himself.

Despite battling poor hand-eye co-ordination, tremors, muscle weakness, Het scored 126 marks out of 720 in NEET. He has got admission in the disability quota. ‘Being a doctor was his dream’ Het’s mother Bela says that despite 50% disability, Het lives an independent life - he can walk and speak clearly and does all his chores himself.

“Het is looking forward to studying medicine. He decided to become a doctor when he was just 10 years old. He would pore over diseases, their symptoms and treatment on the internet and even watch videos of advance medical treatments offered worldwide. Our heart warms that he will fulfil his childhood dream”, Bela, who works 12-hour shift in a Government-run PSU added.

“Het wishes to serve poor patients suffering from critical and chronic illnesses,” Says Bela who says her twin Hem has got admission in Maharashtra National Law University.

Bela and husband Neeraj reminisce the struggle the family battled raising the twins afflicted with CP.

“Het and Hem were both born premature babies weighing only 1.2 kg. But we decided to do our best - we gave them best treatment, good education and most importantly one mantra – nothing is impossible,” says father Neeraj. The family has not taken a vacation together to remain with the boys.

Source: The Times of India