I recently read that M P Anilkumar, inspirational, quadriplegic former air force pilot, passed away earlier this year to cancer. He was fifty. I had vaguely heard of his brave struggle many years ago, but read his story only now, after his death. I was furious at feeling sympathetic as I read about his life, because it tarnished the brave spirit this great man embodied in his almost two decades as a quadriplegic. Anilkumar, a promising air force pilot - a topper in the prestigious National Defense Academy in India- was paralyzed neck down in a freak accident. He was then moved to the Indian Armed Forces' rehabilitation center where he lived for the rest of his life. After an intense period of depression, knowing that he would never walk again, and even worse be forever dependent on others for his basic needs - the fighter pilot in him took over. Anilkumar, or MP as he was fondly called, soon began writing with his lips - beautiful letters which brought out the exceptional writer in him, and enabled him to connect again with the world. He details his accident and the struggle that followed in his remarkable "Airborne to Chairborne" which ends with the line " greater the struggle, sweeter the victory". His inspirational essay eventually found its way to the English textbooks of tenth graders in the state of Maharashtra.
I was moved by the numerous comments on various websites announcing his death - by people who had the opportunity to meet him. Surprisingly, many were along the lines of how a meeting with MP offered them solace, and the courage to face their troubles. This was not through a sense of seeing someone without feet to appreciate your shoes, but more along the lines of being in the presence of a wise man. Many remarked about the ever growing pile of books in his hospital room, including computer programming books, and the wide range of topics he was conversant in.
While MP's life is a clear testimony of his grit, I could not but help think of Carol Dweck's argument that those with a growth mindset can overcome adversity better. MP never stopped growing mentally - at an exponential rate- all these years. His legacy will be of a man who accepted that destiny had larger plans for him - to be an instrument of hope to those who met him during his lifetime, and to scores like me who continue to discover him after his death. Rest in peace.
P.S This website includes a clip from a film on MP.
