First-time author Dr Bhaskar Bora with his story titled ‘The Second Chance in Life’ aspires to heal other sufferers in unfortunate circumstances. After beginning his medical career in Assam, North-eastern India, where he grew up, Dr Bora moved to the UK in 2004 as a first-generation immigrant.
Gathering courage to author his grief and fight following a spinal cord injury and was subsequently being diagnosed with thyroid cancer, Dr Bora gets vocal at the Nehru Centre London about the shortcomings of his life.
“I want my book to be a voice for people with disabilities or who have fought cancer. I can inspire them and touch their heart”, shares the novelist as he goes on to share his reflections on his new normal.
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From being doctor to now becoming the patient, Dr Bora felt a rush of panic when he couldn’t move his legs after surgery. “That was the moment I realised that I either had to be a person with disabilities for the rest of my life or strive through it.”
Denial, depression, anxiety and immense worry for his family had curbed his emotions often wondering “how I am going to cater to my family”. The fright emerged out of being “half dead” or dependent on others.
Dr Bora explains that it did not take him long to accept the condition he was in perhaps his medical profession being the reason. “I had read about acceptance and commitment therapy and was able to practice it on myself.”
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Having witnessed numerous patients go through the same pain and actualising the difficulty of this phase himself has given him a richer life experience says the medic. “It connected me to how my patients felt.”
The menial activities that are often taken for granted began holding values: “The first time I was able to make myself a cup of tea. I understand its worth.”
At this hour of distress, family is all one needs. “We never saw this coming. When it hit us, I could not comprehend it for a long time,” expresses his wife, Millie. To families going through similar challenges she says: “There is no surety of life. Financial security, emotional strength and belief in the Almighty is important.
“It is a long journey and this is a small fraction of what we are going to face as a family.”
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The significance of relationships takes a clear form in moments of difficulties. “That’s when you realise who your real friends are,” shares Dr Bora with a heavy heart. “There was a time when I was such a workaholic, and I didn’t socialise at all.”
Having gone through this traumatic experience, the doctor shares a few priceless lessons. “Appreciate the present while preparing for the future and keep dreaming because without a dream you cannot progress and work towards it.”
Desire, belief and perseverance are the three key tools that will always come in handy.
With this being his second chance at life, Dr Bora hopes to return to medical practice in the twinkling of an eye.
*Info: Nehru Centre