Dr Bhaskar Bora
Originally from Guwahati Assam in North East India, Dr Bhaskar Bora moved to the UK in 2004 and started his career as a Doctor and an Entrepreneur. He has been working as a Family Practitioner for the last 12 years, managing five practices. He is also the owner of SAMSARA RESTAURANT AND BAR in Sutton, London and is the first Assamese to start a restaurant in London.

Just when life seemed rosy and the sun was shining, he sustained a severe spinal cord injury in July 2019 following an operation, which left him with paralysis of both legs, a non-functioning right hand and a long stay in the hospital, eventually leading to a forced medical retirement from his medical career and a wheelchair in place of a sports car. He had to undergo multiple operations but is now permanently disabled. Two months after his injury he was also diagnosed with cancer of the Thyroid for which he needed further operations.

With a family so young he could not afford to give up yet, so he had to re-learn walking (limited distance with crutches), writing, holding a knife, fork and lots of other daily routines but most importantly had to retrain his mind to accept the new normal. However, these adverse life-changing experiences made him into a person of faith, gratitude and inspiration.

Poorer financially but richer in experiences of life he is now a voice for the disabled and has written the book 'The Second Chance in Life' as an honest reflection of his life experiences to motivate people that every adversity can still be turned into an opportunity. That it is important to be filled with gratitude and appreciation for all the things that we take for granted. He also blogs on his website www.thesecondchanceinlife.com

In ‘The Second Chance in Life’ this confessed workaholic acknowledges the challenges and miracles that have influenced his life and, in a bravely honest style, shares how even your darkest days can be a springboard for positivity. How important acceptance and resilience are in turning adversities into opportunities. This book also shows the need of appreciating every small thing in life and not to take anything for granted. With various real-life examples and practical strategies, this book is an inspirational work for self-help and motivation.

In his own words about the book, he says

The sun was shining on my life, everything looked rosy. Money was plenty and worries scarce. I had my dream career, a beautiful family, the blessings of my parents and the love of my friends What more could I ask for?

The canvas of my life was,, however, being prepared for a new painting a completely unexpected one. A change from being a successful doctor and entrepreneur to being a disabled pensioner and a cancer patient with severe spinal cord injury.

When things go well in life, you assume you are in control. I thought so too. But when faced with unprecedented situations and overwhelming emotions, it is important to maintain trust in yourself and keep moving forward.

I now have reduced power in my legs, sensory ataxia (a condition where you can’t feel where you are standing or stepping so causes loss of balance), loss of function of three fingers in my right dominant hand, severe and chronic neuropathic pain that feels like electric shocks passing through my body, reduced movement and pain in the neck and an inability to walk without an aid even for short distances.

Writing those words, and expressing my condition on the page, is still a surreal process. Did this happen to me? Will,, I one day wake from this dreadful dream? Ah, if only. Somehow, I have to deal with my pain, and my limitations, yet how much easier this is with a fine heart and a functioning brain. I will never give up. I am, once again, ready to take on the world.

A sudden life change doesn’t have to mean the end. Gradually, what dawned on me was a new perspective, some sort of spiritual LSD that made me thankful for what I still had, rather than unhappy about what I don’t.

When storms come, an eagle flies higher to rise above the turbulence while a mouse hides in a corner. I had to become that eagle and soar higher, not be cornered and crushed in the storm of life.

Believing in myself was the only way. Maybe this was a lesson. Maybe this was teaching to find a bigger purpose, and achieve a bigger dream. Miracles, big and small, happen every day but often we are not receptive enough to understand and appreciate them.