New Delhi: She began cycling a few years ago. It happened after she saw a group of cyclists in her hometown. Her childhood dream came back to her at that moment. Two days later, she had mastered cycling.

This year, she has qualified for the Paralympics and will be representing India.

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Geeta S Rao is a para-cyclist. By now, the 46- year-old has cycled across India. But the journey from being forever bound to a wheelchair to becoming a para-cyclist was not easy.

“Imagine waking up one day and discovering you can no longer walk,” recounts Geeta, who was diagnosed with polio after a doctor mistakenly administered the wrong injection to treat her high fever when she was just 3 years old.

Her physical condition often caused her to fall while walking, sometimes even in the middle of crossing roads. But after she began cycling, there was no looking back. Geeta began practicing more and increasing her distances. She said,

“I feel like a free bird.”

Within a month, she completed a 115-kilometer ride. So far, she has covered a distance of about 1.25 lakh kilometers and counting.

Geeta has 13 accolades to herself, including national and international records.

Geeta had used a wheelchair, crutches, and handicap boots since childhood, until the day she started walking. The journey to get back on her feet took about 10-15 years. She says,

“I might fall 100 times, but I will get up every time until I complete my goal. Without commitment, we will never start; without consistency, we will never achieve.”

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