Strongest Baba ever

Story By:- Shreya,21

“The doctor said the best way to control diabetes is to take a walk for 45 minutes a day. If only he knew!” Baba forced a chuckle.

“Baba, it's okay. There are other things you can do to control diabetes like managing your diet, staying positive and even..” I started to say, but he interrupted. “Arre, it's okay. Don't you worry about it." He went on with his work as he said this. I nod.

My father is an amputee. He uses a prosthetic leg after the train accident he had two years ago. This weekend, he had to get some repairs done to the prosthetic leg, so I accompanied him to the hospital. 

Getting inside, we were asked to wait as the prosthesis was being repaired. Being a specialized hospital for the same, it saw people having all kinds of reasons as to why they had to resort to prosthetic limbs. My father happened to talk to an elderly man who had come with his son.

The man must be around seventy. "How did it happen?" Somebody asked him. "Road accident. I got thrown on the road and a vehicle ran over. I should thank God he spared my brain, it's still fully functional!" He smiled nervously. It was taking him every bit of courage to shift his perspective to a more optimistic one, but he was trying. "Who knew I'd have to learn walking all over again?" He pointed at his prosthetic leg and smiled. "My grandson and I are doing it together. He'll turn one next month. My family applauds both of us for our progress every day." He laughed. 

"It's okay. There are some things we don't have control over." Baba said. "And after a while, we do get used to it. When we accept it as a part of life, it doesn't hurt as much. I mean, mentally." He let out a laugh. "Physically, it's unbearable sometimes. Just that the lack of physical activity makes my diabetes worse...." He said as the attendant called out for him.

The prosthesis was repaired and handed over to Baba. He put it on and we headed back home. He was silent. "Baba, it's okay. There are other things you can do to control diabetes like managing your diet, staying positive and even..." I tried to say, but he interrupted again. "I know. I'm not upset, really." 

It's okay to not be the strongest Baba ever all the time, I wanted to say. But I bite my lip. "Baba, your posture has improved so much now. The repair is doing wonders, you look great!" I said. He smiled triumphantly. "Don't I always?"

Baba doesn't need me to console him all the time, I smile as I realize this. He just needs to know that he's being the strongest Baba ever.