What is Muscular Dystophy (MD)?
Muscular Dystrophy is a rare sort of illness, which consists of a group of diseases that leads to progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass, which is found at a rate of 1 in 3500 (as per the Indian population). Though treatments can help, it cannot be cured. The only way to withstand is proper care, yoga and physiotherapy. Statistics show that every year, about 1 million cases of MD (of various types) are being reported in India.
Kuttettan and Me:
Welcome back readers, first of all, let me say that I cannot be so official when I’m supposed to write about this guy since he’s not just ‘a man in the news’ but, he’s more like a crazy utopian friend, an annoying elder brother and a ‘constantly disturbing motivator’ for me! Few years back, when I was busy with my social activities (like teach India) and I had nothing much to do despite thinking of new ways to waste my life, I got a random call in my mobile phone while I was roaming around in some shopping mall and that was how I got introduced to this vibrant personality. Yes, it’s true that ‘destiny makes people and people make destinations’ and that’s all what I’ve got to say in the case of this ever-enthusiastic champ. Krishnakumar P Pillai (31) whom we call ‘kuttettan’ is a role model for all those lazy youngsters out there who are about to give up in their life in the name of circumstantial excuses, say any!
Who is Krishnakumar Pillai?
Krishnakumar Pillai (from Kollam, Kerala), was diagnosed with a rare sort of disease called “Muscular Dystrophy” when he was just eight months old. Back in 1985, medical science wasn’t as advanced as that of these days; however, his parents had tried their maximum to get the best results but failed. According to medical experts then, it was a kind of disease where one’s muscles get weakened and disabled day by day and practically speaking, “one can hardly survive for twenty years with this disease” and that was the verdict given by various experts, while Krishnakumar celebrated his 31st birthday few months ago and that was nothing but a tight slap on the face of that thing called ‘fate’!
Krishnakumar, is someone who believes in making things happen for him, and to be frank, that’s how even we people got connected. As one can imagine, official schooling wasn’t practical for him and he had started his learning through home tuitions and that’s how he did complete his basic education. He started reading newspapers at the age of five and his home consists of a mini library and I was so baffled to see that. His father was a voracious reader and did encourage him to go with the books and he became busy in the world of books at a very young age, which turned him into a genius. Tragedy came as an accident which took away the lives of his father and sole sister (Devika) who was also suffering from the same disease. At a very young age, she had written a book called “Changathi Paravakal” (Friendly Birds) which was later published and released by the DC Books post her demise.
However, nothing could stop this man from being enthusiastic. Kuttettan is none, but a never stopping ‘energy box’ who keeps on radiating positive vibes through his talks and has always been a show stealer at the podium. Being with this legend is nothing but awesome. If you have a problem in your life, just call him and in the next ten minutes, you’ll get recharged and that’s what Krishnakumar is all about! Wherever he goes, this man does leave a mark behind and that’s what he is. He loves travelling and has modified his car into a ‘caravan’ (wheel chair friendly too) and that helps him to go with the world. Be it watching an international cricket match live in a stadium or be it celebrating the new year eve at Kovalam beach or watching a new release movie at the multiplex on a Friday night, he's someone who never stays away from the crowd! Also he's someone who utilizes the modern technology at its best. He uses various applications including the 'DRAGON SPEECH RECOGNITION SOFTWARE'. If he finds interest in a subject, he would learn them through various online applications and that’s what he’s doing right now. I’ve never seen such an ardent learner who lives for knowledge. Be it music, films or books, or be it international politics or modern science and technology,- Krishnettan will definitely have something to speak about, with a valid point and that’s something which is admirable.
For the past few years, Krishnakumar is associated with the MIND (Mobility IN Dystrophy), a trust in the make, exclusively for people who suffer from this disease. Krishnakumar is currently planning to manufacture low cost wheel chairs in bulk amount for such people, which obviously is a relevant piece of thought. MIND is a promising NGO for people suffering from Muscular Dystrophy which is looking forward to providing them with all kind of educational and vocational assistance as well.
What made me write this?
My intention to put this blog up is nothing but just to make the readers aware about the disease called ‘Muscular Dystrophy’ and how do real life heroes like Krishnakumar Pillai fights with their fate to have a successful life. People across the country are to be made aware of the trusts and NGOs like the MIND which helps everyone who suffers from the disease. Krishnakumar’s life is a textbook that makes everyone realize that life is not at all something that can be constrained within the bounds of ‘physical or materialistic’ abilities; but, life is something that has to be viewed in par with one’s excellence in its pursual staying within one’s own limits and thereby breaking the bounds. The social constraints has to be thrown out from within. One should correct oneself before judging the society. For Krishnakumar, life is a cocktail party and that’s what he did teach me. That’s how he did inspire me. That attitude, to smile at the ordeal of problems and passing it by cracking a lame joke and that’s how life has to be!
Today, I feel so privileged to scribble about this young champ, who has traversed a long way, all through his life to establish his own trait that none can claim. This is an exemplary life which no ordinary person can achieve. On this occasion, I would like to mention Srilatha Aunty (Krishnettan’s mom, who works with a bank) another important person in his life, for being so bold during all the hard times.
Krishnakumar’s life tells us that no disease is devastating if you have a supporting family, jovial friends and an aspiring and enthusiastic mind to push yourselves ahead. In order to become successful, one has to become a self-driven person and that’s how Krishnakumar turns the people around him. That’s how he did influence me! Today, Krishnakumar is someone who drives his life on his own with having nothing but such an exciting attitude!
(A TedX talk, is supposed to come in the near future)
If you would like to know more about Krishnakumar Pillai or MIND,
Please contact:
Krishnakumar P Pillai +918547082321
or mail me at: rahulsharma3992@gmail.com
- Rahul Sharma
Muscular Dystrophy is a rare sort of illness, which consists of a group of diseases that leads to progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass, which is found at a rate of 1 in 3500 (as per the Indian population). Though treatments can help, it cannot be cured. The only way to withstand is proper care, yoga and physiotherapy. Statistics show that every year, about 1 million cases of MD (of various types) are being reported in India.
Kuttettan and Me:
Welcome back readers, first of all, let me say that I cannot be so official when I’m supposed to write about this guy since he’s not just ‘a man in the news’ but, he’s more like a crazy utopian friend, an annoying elder brother and a ‘constantly disturbing motivator’ for me! Few years back, when I was busy with my social activities (like teach India) and I had nothing much to do despite thinking of new ways to waste my life, I got a random call in my mobile phone while I was roaming around in some shopping mall and that was how I got introduced to this vibrant personality. Yes, it’s true that ‘destiny makes people and people make destinations’ and that’s all what I’ve got to say in the case of this ever-enthusiastic champ. Krishnakumar P Pillai (31) whom we call ‘kuttettan’ is a role model for all those lazy youngsters out there who are about to give up in their life in the name of circumstantial excuses, say any!
Who is Krishnakumar Pillai?
Krishnakumar Pillai (from Kollam, Kerala), was diagnosed with a rare sort of disease called “Muscular Dystrophy” when he was just eight months old. Back in 1985, medical science wasn’t as advanced as that of these days; however, his parents had tried their maximum to get the best results but failed. According to medical experts then, it was a kind of disease where one’s muscles get weakened and disabled day by day and practically speaking, “one can hardly survive for twenty years with this disease” and that was the verdict given by various experts, while Krishnakumar celebrated his 31st birthday few months ago and that was nothing but a tight slap on the face of that thing called ‘fate’!
Krishnakumar, is someone who believes in making things happen for him, and to be frank, that’s how even we people got connected. As one can imagine, official schooling wasn’t practical for him and he had started his learning through home tuitions and that’s how he did complete his basic education. He started reading newspapers at the age of five and his home consists of a mini library and I was so baffled to see that. His father was a voracious reader and did encourage him to go with the books and he became busy in the world of books at a very young age, which turned him into a genius. Tragedy came as an accident which took away the lives of his father and sole sister (Devika) who was also suffering from the same disease. At a very young age, she had written a book called “Changathi Paravakal” (Friendly Birds) which was later published and released by the DC Books post her demise.
However, nothing could stop this man from being enthusiastic. Kuttettan is none, but a never stopping ‘energy box’ who keeps on radiating positive vibes through his talks and has always been a show stealer at the podium. Being with this legend is nothing but awesome. If you have a problem in your life, just call him and in the next ten minutes, you’ll get recharged and that’s what Krishnakumar is all about! Wherever he goes, this man does leave a mark behind and that’s what he is. He loves travelling and has modified his car into a ‘caravan’ (wheel chair friendly too) and that helps him to go with the world. Be it watching an international cricket match live in a stadium or be it celebrating the new year eve at Kovalam beach or watching a new release movie at the multiplex on a Friday night, he's someone who never stays away from the crowd! Also he's someone who utilizes the modern technology at its best. He uses various applications including the 'DRAGON SPEECH RECOGNITION SOFTWARE'. If he finds interest in a subject, he would learn them through various online applications and that’s what he’s doing right now. I’ve never seen such an ardent learner who lives for knowledge. Be it music, films or books, or be it international politics or modern science and technology,- Krishnettan will definitely have something to speak about, with a valid point and that’s something which is admirable.
(Left: The writer with Krishnakumar Pillai; Right: Krishnakumar at work)
For the past few years, Krishnakumar is associated with the MIND (Mobility IN Dystrophy), a trust in the make, exclusively for people who suffer from this disease. Krishnakumar is currently planning to manufacture low cost wheel chairs in bulk amount for such people, which obviously is a relevant piece of thought. MIND is a promising NGO for people suffering from Muscular Dystrophy which is looking forward to providing them with all kind of educational and vocational assistance as well.
What made me write this?
My intention to put this blog up is nothing but just to make the readers aware about the disease called ‘Muscular Dystrophy’ and how do real life heroes like Krishnakumar Pillai fights with their fate to have a successful life. People across the country are to be made aware of the trusts and NGOs like the MIND which helps everyone who suffers from the disease. Krishnakumar’s life is a textbook that makes everyone realize that life is not at all something that can be constrained within the bounds of ‘physical or materialistic’ abilities; but, life is something that has to be viewed in par with one’s excellence in its pursual staying within one’s own limits and thereby breaking the bounds. The social constraints has to be thrown out from within. One should correct oneself before judging the society. For Krishnakumar, life is a cocktail party and that’s what he did teach me. That’s how he did inspire me. That attitude, to smile at the ordeal of problems and passing it by cracking a lame joke and that’s how life has to be!
Today, I feel so privileged to scribble about this young champ, who has traversed a long way, all through his life to establish his own trait that none can claim. This is an exemplary life which no ordinary person can achieve. On this occasion, I would like to mention Srilatha Aunty (Krishnettan’s mom, who works with a bank) another important person in his life, for being so bold during all the hard times.
Krishnakumar’s life tells us that no disease is devastating if you have a supporting family, jovial friends and an aspiring and enthusiastic mind to push yourselves ahead. In order to become successful, one has to become a self-driven person and that’s how Krishnakumar turns the people around him. That’s how he did influence me! Today, Krishnakumar is someone who drives his life on his own with having nothing but such an exciting attitude!
(A TedX talk, is supposed to come in the near future)
If you would like to know more about Krishnakumar Pillai or MIND,
Please contact:
Krishnakumar P Pillai +918547082321
or mail me at: rahulsharma3992@gmail.com
- Rahul Sharma
