My eldest brother—my parents’ first child—was born in India in 1978. Soon after, he was diagnosed with epilepsy and bipolar disorder, which significantly impacted his intellectual growth and development.
In 1978, awareness and medical resources in India were limited. My parents did everything they could with the knowledge, resources, and finances available to them—visiting multiple institutions and searching for answers. Looking back now, I have the utmost respect, love, and empathy for them as they navigated an unknown path while trying to preserve a sense of normalcy for the rest of the family.
I am the youngest of three and the only daughter, raised in India. We were blessed with the love and closeness of a large Indian family, and that sense of togetherness has always carried us.
Recently, my brother began staying at an institution in India that supports individuals with intellectual disabilities. I’ve noticed the happiness he feels there, which reinforced something deeply important to me: community matters. Not just any community—but a community where we feel like we truly BELONG.
My own journey took a different turn. Growing up in India as a girl, I was not encouraged to run or play sports. After moving to the U.S. 12 years ago, I began to understand the importance of an active lifestyle and its impact on overall health. On January 1, 2024, I ran for the very first time with a goal of finishing the NYC Marathon in 2025 in under four hours.
Along the way, I discovered a deep love for running. In the process of working toward that goal, I had the opportunity to complete the Berlin Marathon 2024—my first marathon just nine months after I started running—followed by the Tokyo Marathon 2025. I ultimately achieved my original goal and finished the NYC Marathon 2025 under four hours, becoming the fifth fastest Indian woman.
Today, I’m honored to raise funds for Special Children’s Charities, whose mission is to provide inclusive opportunities that support the growth, empowerment, and well-being of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Chicago.
This cause is deeply personal. It reflects my brother’s journey, my family’s resilience, and my belief that everyone deserves access to a community where they feel safe, understood, supported, valued, and truly belong.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for supporting this initiative—along with my dream to complete the World Marathon Majors.
To learn more, please visit specialchildrenscharities.org.
Again, thank you for supporting the thousands of participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Chicago!