Comatosed after mishap, Khushi comes back to life stronger

Aparna Banerji
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, August 31

Khushi Gupta’s turnaround is no less than a miracle. In 2018, then a class X student, she fell from the fourth floor of a school here. Khushi was comatosed for nearly two months. There seemed to be a slim hope of her survival as her spine and ankles were broken.

The fateful day

In 2018, then a class X student, she fell from the fourth floor of a school here. Khushi was comatosed for nearly two months. There seemed to be a slim hope of her survival as her spine was broken. “Four hospitals refused to treat me,” Khushi said.

“Four hospitals refued to treat me. They said I was 95 per cent dead and couldn’t save me. Everyone refused to take me in,” she recalls.

However, NHS hospital admitted her. According to her, the staff there alongside her parents, played a significant role in her revival. “Dr Naveen Chitkara took my critical case. They didn’t give up and said they would at least try to revive me. Unke try se yahan tak pahunchi hun (their efforts have brought me here),” Khushi says. On her 18th birthday, she even threw a party for the doctors and staff (70 to 80 people) who treated her at the hospital to express her gratitude. She says she is deeply indebted to the medical staff. She adds: “Three doctors Dr Naveen Chitkara, Dr Sandeep Goyal and Dr Shubhang Aggrawal are ‘Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh’ for me.

Of grit and determination

Making a dramatic recovery, she appeared for her class X exams, in an ambulance, months after the accident in January, and scored 71 per cent surprising everyone. Three years on, the 19-year-old and her family are an inspiration for many. In this year’s class XII Boards she has managed to score 80 per cent marks. As of now, amid the pandemic times, she is now preparing for her medical entrance test. She plans to become a doctor. Armed with a profound will power – a gift acquired after the mishap – she has spent most of the time with parents and preparing for her entrance exam.

Making a dramatic recovery, she appeared for her class X exams, in an ambulance, months after the accident in January, and scored 71 per cent surprising everyone. Three years on, the 19-year-old and her family are an inspiration for many. In this year’s class XII Boards she has managed to score 80 per cent marks. As of now, amid the pandemic times, she is now preparing for her medical entrance test. She plans to become a doctor – like the ones who saved her.

The road ahead

Armed with a profound will power – a gift acquired after the mishap – she has spent most of the time with parents and preparing for her entrance exam. “For me the quarantine has been very happy. Our family got to spend quality time with each other. We had breakfast, lunch and dinner together and watched Ramayana twice a day. Additionally, it has also given me ample of time to prepare for the NEET exam,” she shares.

“When I was immoblised, I used to cry and would ask my mother why it happened to me. She would say ‘This is god’s will and your only purpose now is to get better and show the world who you are’. That greatly inspired me to get better,” she adds.

However, she is still not allowed to walk barefoot or on uneven surfaces. Father Naveen Gupta, says her daughter’s resurrection is a benefaction from above. “I am thankful to the person and the school staff who took her across four hospitals and got her treated in time. He owes it to the doctors as well. “I am thankful to her doctors. They are God for me. I had thought my daughter would be gone. It’s a pleasure watching her walk around. She is making the most of the Covid times studying, preparing for further goals.”

Elaborating on her future dreams, she says, “I want to be a doctor and save people like my doctors saved me. I feel healthy and can walk and talk normally because of them. I would like to study at PIMS.”

Khushi is hopeful that the NEET JEE exams takes place. “I think the entrance exams should happen. The admit cards were received recently. They have a detailed protocol and mandate virus tests for all those appearing. Those who are taking exams will abide by all guidelines as we do. We should put a little faith in the system.”