#wingsofresilience

Article by Kush Monga

In the vast land of Mumbai, India, there lived a young boy named Kabir. At 18, Kabir stood out not for any remarkable talents but for his extraordinary ability to learn quickly. However, this one unique trait didn't shield him from the harsh reality of rejection that seemed to follow him everywhere. Kabir's early years were fraught with challenges. He faced rejection from prestigious universities, sports teams, and even local clubs. Each rejection felt like a stab to his self-esteem, yet his quick learning ability allowed him to absorb lessons from every setback. Still, the world seemed uninterested in giving him a chance.

Feeling disheartened but refusing to give up, Kabir spent his days reading voraciously, learning about anything and everything that caught his curiosity. He explored subjects ranging from science to philosophy, technology to history, and found solace in the endless sea of knowledge. But, despite his growing intellect, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.

At the age of 24, an unexpected encounter changed the course of Kabir's life. He met an mid-aged mentor, simply known as Mentor, who saw potential in Kabir that others had overlooked. Mentor advised Kabir to focus on communication and personality development skills, emphasizing that these would be the keys to unlocking his true potential. Taking Mentor's advice to heart, Kabir dove headfirst into learning about effective communication, public speaking, and emotional intelligence. He practiced tirelessly, often speaking to himself in front of a mirror, recording his speeches, and seeking feedback from those willing to listen. Slowly but surely, he started to see improvements in his confidence and interpersonal skills. Despite his progress, the road ahead was far from smooth. Kabir faced numerous setbacks, including moments of self-doubt and criticism from others who couldn't see the transformation happening within him. But each obstacle only fuelled his determination to succeed.

One day, Kabir learned about the National Entrance Exam for aspiring pilots. The mere thought of becoming a pilot ignited a passion within him that he had never felt before. It was a dream that seemed unattainable, yet he knew he had to try. With unwavering dedication, he studied day and night, absorbing every bit of knowledge about aviation and preparing rigorously for the exam.

On the day of the exam, Kabir walked into the examination hall with a mix of nerves and excitement. The weeks of preparation had culminated in this pivotal moment. When the results were announced, Kabir's heart raced. He had secured a rank of 38—an achievement that marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life.

Kabir's journey as a pilot was filled with its own set of challenges, but each flight represented a triumph over adversity. He embraced every take-off and landing as a metaphor for his own life's journey—rising above the turbulence and navigating through clouds of uncertainty. His story became an inspiration to many, proving that with resilience, a thirst for knowledge, and a never-give-up attitude, even the most unlikely dreams could take flight.

As Kabir settled into his new life as a pilot, he continued to seek ways to improve himself. He enrolled in advanced aviation courses, participated in seminars, and engaged in discussions with experienced pilots. Kabir's relentless pursuit of excellence earned him respect and admiration from his peers and mentors alike.

Posted on

August 22, 2015

by

Hildegard Meier

Robin Williams suicide has been one of the saddest momentums for people who suffer from a mental illness condition to raise awareness. Newspaper headlines and, especially social media posts and discussions, developed from mourning a beloved comedian to a deeper discussion about suicide, mental illness and stigma. On that day, I believe many of us can recall the considerable number of virtual friends who posted about a human being who dedicated his entire life to make people laugh, even when he was crying a river inside.

The comedians’ cause of death revitalized debate and controversy on suicides’ most paradigmatic labels: SELFISH, WEAK, COWARD. The sad truth is that most people who haven’t suffered from a mental health-related condition, a depressive and/or anxiety episode satanic suicide simply because they are completely unaware of the causes of suicide.

That unawareness is one of the many manifestations of mental health related stigma, but what does stigma actually mean? Stigma can be categorized in many different categories, but in essence it is understood as a negative perception of a particular group of people. That paradigmatic perception, that I would like to call “stignorance”, is powerful enough to cause direct or indirect harm to those individuals or groups. Some common targets are ethnic minorities, social or cultural minorities, and many others.

People who suffer from Mental Health conditions one particularly sensitive target of stigma. Mental Health-related stigma possesses a significant impact on the development of over a billion young individuals in the pursuit of social and economic integration, including employability. Stigma produces shame and fear of rejection, I personally have experienced the lonely battle of hiding my bipolar disorder to “survive” in Ecuador, a developing country where mental health discrimination is present everywhere.