By Harshini Brahmavar

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Nov 12: If a person is determined to achieve a certain goal in life, then any barrier for achievement will not become a hindrance to him or her. Kiran Rahul Fernandes, a resident of Thottam of Malpe near here, the sports star who is shining at state and national level is the best example for this.

Kiran is the son of Wilma and Terry Fernandes couple. He is 14-years-old and studying in the ninth standard. His father is a car driver. Kiran is not differently abled from birth. Fate turned him to lose one of his legs. Till the age of nine, Kiran was like any other child of his age. However, in 2013, the snake which bit him while playing changed his life. Kiran was lying in the same spot after the snake bit him for quite some time. When the neighbours informed the same to his mother Wilma, she took him to KMC hospital immediately. However, the doctors came to know about the snake bite only after three days. By then, the poison from the snake bite had spread to his kidney and legs. His leg was swollen due to the poison. As there was no other option, half leg of Kiran was amputated to save his life. He was in the ICU for one month. In a matter of two months, Kiran was completely cured and became a normal child but with one of his leg only half.

Kiran did his primary education at Carmel School at Kemmannu. Now he is pursuing his high school education in Milagres at Kallianpur. Kiran started to practice karate from 2014. Jasmine teacher used to train him in Karate at Thottam church on every Saturday and Sunday. From 2015, he learnt javelin throw under the guidance of Vinay and Steevan. In addition, Santhosh taught Kiran how to throw the Shot put. Now Kiran holds a brown belt in karate.

Kiran showed interest in karate. He has secured first place in the karate competition that was held in Haveri in the under-14 (32 to 35 kg body weight) category. In addition, he has secured first place in the karate competitions that were held locally, at Mangaluru and in the national level karate championship that was held in Bengaluru.

Kian has secured first place in karate and third spot in kata. He has bagged the gold medal in the competition that was held in Mangaluru. In the district level competition that was held at Moodubelle, Kiran got first place. He has bagged the gold medal in the district level competition that was held in Bengaluru. Apart from sports, Kiran is good in studies too.

As Kiran's father is a driver, the total responsibility of Kiran is being shouldered by his mom alone. She takes him to school, karate training etc. Wilma, the mother of Kiran, dreams of her son becoming an IPS officer. She also says that she will be with him until he completes his education. Kiran also reciprocates to the feelings of his mom and tries to do many chores on his own so that his mom's strain is reduced. Kiran also says that he will try to fulfil his mother's dream.

Kiran had got ample cash donation from the Daijiworld web page from kind readers and donors of Daijiworld when an appeal was placed to seek monetary help for the family. Even today the family is able to bear the expenses of Kiran's medical treatment that needs to be done once in every six months from the interest of the money that was donated by the donors and readers of Daijiworld web page. While the artificial limb costs, Rs 25,000, the cost of the liner is Rs 15,000. Kiran's mother Wilma expressed her gratitude towards Daijiworld for their help.

Wilma, the mother of Kiran, does various jobs like getting income certificate done, carrying out surveys done by the department, mapping the family survey, husking the coconut and home nurse to support her family. Wilma says that she has suffered a lot in her life and now she is living to create a bright future for her son.