To courage through tears
As you all may already be aware, one year ago my life which I took so
much for granted was devastated as I was to face a terrible accident
which changed my life drastically on February 15, 2008.
Although life was altered significantly after this incident I have
rather chosen to live not in tears and sorrows but with courage and
determination to face the challenges I had to meet to survive through.
Since my childhood I have been brought up under difficult conditions
where I was taught to face life determinedly and courageously, which
aided me tremendously over the past year.
Dream alive
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Striding through her busy worklife |
Although my dream and hopes were shattered in seconds there were many
hands which supported and prayed on behalf me to live my dream alive.
With the help of many, I managed to keep my hopes high and step again
into the life of an ordinary to achieve my goals with a smile. Today, I
make this an opportunity to thank and show my gratitude to those who
stood beside me supporting, helping, praying.
It is my belief that all of you are aware of the fate which became so
cruel on me. I am Samitha Samanmali, the third year medical student who
faced a dreadful accident on February 15, 2008 which took away my
ability to walk and shattered my world apart due to the spinal cord
injury caused.
After undergoing many treatments and rehabilitation activities at
specialist centers around the world, today I have been lucky enough, to
join my colleague friends at the lectures and clinical activities
supported by my own wheelchair.
Crucial point
With the enormous assistance you all gave and the lending hand you
provided at the most crucial point of my life even though I was not able
to walk, I have been gifted enough to sit steadily and carry out my day
to day activities independently.
From the sisters and brothers who bought a ticket for Rs. 10 to those
who contributed in millions, I owe my life to you and it is with great
respect that I shall remember all of you. I am amazed by the
contributions a whole country had put through on behalf of me and my
future.
I am indebted to all the printed and electronic media institutions
enormously for their kindest support given with the purest intentions of
helping me to reach out my story to each household in Sri Lanka.
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Nothing can stop this spirit that fought hard to be who she
wanted to be |
I am obliged to all the senior and junior artists around Sri Lanka
who joined hands with me in producing two historical events Surath Paura
and 'Lotus heart', only at the expense of their tremendous effort. I am
grateful to all the specialists, doctors and staff of NHSL who cared for
me like none other till today in every possible way. I thank all the
staff members of the Faculty of Medicine Colombo including the Dean who
stepped up on my behalf to guarantee the life of an ordinary student at
the faculty and supported me to continue my studies within the maximum
capacity.
Caring friends
Today I feel luckier than many others as I have been gifted by the
most loving and caring friends who stood all the way with me like my own
shadow at every step of my misfortune.
Again I applaud and show my heartiest appreciation to all those from
all over the country who supported me in every possible way for me to
step back into my life again. Among the many are the few who held by
hand throughout and became my strength all the way, being the honourable
President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Rajapaksa, Lalith Kothalawala
and Upali Rajapaksa. I will always remember and be thankful for your
support all my life.
To repay and to be thankful enough to all of you who stood by me till
this day, would be impossible. But as a responsible citizen and a debtor
of all of you it is my promise to serve and help many a thousand lives
for the better as a good doctor in the future.
I thank you again for joining hands with me to fight the cruelty of
fate with the goodness of humanity and to live my dream alive which was
nearly shattered.
Samitha Samanmali
Faculty of Medicine Colombo |
