The Power Within

The photographers seemed to follow her along as they captured the Sangeeth and Mehendi events. Her bright eyes, the grace and joy in her dancing took unfair coverage in the wedding pictures and videos.

Sandhya (Shandy) is the youngest of my cousins, 3 beautiful sisters. When she came along her beautiful big eyes got most attention, other than her ready smile.

My maami, Sandhya’s mom was a total ‘live in the present and move forward’ kind of person, never rewinding into nostalgia or complaining. 8 years ago when she visited us in Seattle, on a long walk with her was the only time I heard about a difficult time in her life. The time when 1.5 year old Shandy, a very happy child, always full of energy was diagnosed with polio on one leg.

For years, we saw Shandy go through various treatments, massages, and braces. The struggles were an additional subject, one more homework to be done. Uncle and aunt made it look normal and so did the siblings. In this home, Empathy was never confused for Sympathy. That seemed to set the ground rules for the rest of us.

There were no exceptions made. Shandy competed with us on equal ‘footing’ in everything we did. She never played victim (not once) as she was held to the same expectations as her siblings. By the time she was in middle/high school she brought home prizes for badminton, table tennis, and dance, as did her sisters.

Since I hadn’t heard about it growing up, as I was writing this piece, I asked Shandy if she ever faced any discrimination as a child. Her answer after thinking hard – ‘I think kids called me names, but I rarely connected it to ME. There was a phase in college when I realized I was different, but it didn’t hinder me.’ Great family, great friends and good abilities to compensate – good life, she added.

Exercise and being on her feet always was her way of nursing her leg to normal. A younger Shandy used to sleep walk and my uncle joked – the only time Shandy rested was in photographs.

With a textile engineering degree, Shandy is a busy bee. She is co-founder (with her husband) of a connected health care venture. She runs a garment company that produces yoga wear and branded clothing. Most recently together with her sister, she supplies cancer care products like specially designed head-scarves, post surgical clothing and low cost breast accessories, working directly with cancer hospitals. Aptly, she is an active member of the local All Ladies League, an international organization that fosters friendship, entrepreneurship and leadership.
Shandy is a student of the Carnatic violin that her mother left behind. She plays badminton, ping pong and any sport you want to challenge her to. Oh, and she is an avid Kathak dancer.

But mostly she is the life of any party and believe me, she gets invited to many. Her signature laughter speaks volumes about the grace with which she navigates life, taking what was given and working from the power within. All of which we need today, in these COVID days