Fifteen years ago, Babita D’Cruz faced a heartbreaking prognosis: her baby would be born without limbs, and doctors urged her to reconsider the pregnancy. Despite the dire warnings, Babita trusted her maternal instincts and chose to proceed. Her faith was rewarded last week when her son, now 15, made her incredibly proud by scoring 83% on his exams.
Joshua Betsalel D’Cruz was born exactly as the doctors had predicted: without his legs, a partially developed right arm, and an intact left arm.
Fast forward to today, and Joshua has his sights set on a future in computer science, having recently cleared the SSC exam with an impressive score of 82.8%.
He wrote all his papers using his left hand and used the two fingers on his right arm for geometry.
In preparation for his board exams, Joshua's daily routine was a testament to his dedication. He woke up at 4 a.m. and studied for 14 hours a day, taking hour-long breaks every three hours to play the guitar.
His school, Holy Cross High School in Bastora, also provided an inclusive environment that supported his needs. They even customised a special bench so Joshua's right hand could easily reach the table and installed ramps, a lift, and accessible toilets.
"The nuns told me not to come to school and that they would assign duties to other students to assist him as they too had to learn. We would drop him at the gate in his wheelchair, and his friends would run to receive him. When we saw how beautifully the school handled everything, we were comfortable," his mother, Babita, shared with TOI.
Joshua handles negative comments with grace.
"I smile, and they smile back. When they pass negative comments, I dismiss these as their opinions and don’t let them trouble me. I find ways to come out of any negative mindset and depressing thoughts to make my day more productive," he said.
"I believe my mind is enough to make me whole as a human," he shares with Herald Goa.
Joshua's journey is a powerful reminder of the incredible strength of the human spirit and the importance of support and inclusion.
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