Opinion | From despair to triumph, Faiqa Gulzar stands out as South Kashmir’s inspiring force in adaptive sports

Competing at that level showed I’m more than just my injury.

In the quiet valleys of South Kashmir, surrounded by the towering Himalayas, 25-year-old Faiqa Gulzar has woven a story of bravery that goes far beyond her small hometown. After a tough spinal cord injury, Faiqa worked hard and now plays wheelchair basketball for her region at the national level. Her story really shows what it means to be resilient. On March 8, 2026, International Women’s Day, she will be recognized for her work in adaptive sports. It’s not just about her athletic success but also the big personal changes she’s gone through.

Faiqa’s life changed in 2019 when she was 18 and fell from the second floor of her home. The accident resulted in a serious spinal cord injury that left her in a wheelchair. What came next wasn’t just about physical challenges; it turned into a tough emotional struggle as well. She remembers waking up in the hospital, lying there staring at the ceiling, and wondering if she would ever feel normal again. The months that came after were full of uncertainty and pain. Moving around felt like a distant memory, and being independent seemed impossible. For almost three years, Faiqa lived with heavy depression. Isolation dimmed the brightness she used to have in her personality. She pulled back from socializing and started to wonder what her purpose really was. She says depression felt like a heavy fog that settled in and made everything hard to see or breathe. It just made me feel like nothing mattered anymore. IN the tight communities of South Kashmir, support usually shows up quietly but means a lot.

Faiqa’s family and friends stayed close, giving her patience, support, and love no matter what. Slowly, little things like watching motivational videos, getting outside in Kashmir’s fresh air, and spending time with family started to help her heal. By 2022, small signs of determination began to appear again. Things changed for her in 2024 when she tried wheelchair basketball. Faiqa found stories of adaptive athletes both online and from people she knew nearby, and those stories gave her hope. She viewed sports as a way to regain her confidence. She smiles and says, “Wheelchair basketball gave me wings when my legs couldn’t. “What began as a cautious move slowly turned into real progress. In her first year, Faiqa’s talent and hard work earned her a spot on the national team. The trials were tough, but her persistence made her stand out. That same year, she travelled to Madhya Pradesh to compete in the national championship. She went up against seasoned players from all over India and caught everyone’s attention with her quick moves, smart game plan, and steady focus. She says the rush and working together made her realize she could still do great things. The experience really changed me. For the first time since her accident, Faiqa truly felt alive—surrounded by people who understood what she’d been through and cheered her on for her strength. Later in 2024, she joined an international wheelchair basketball training camp in Visakhapatnam. Far away from the snowy mountains of Kashmir, the coastal city offered a new setting and fresh challenges. Training sessions pushed her both physically and mentally to her limits. She spent time with athletes from all over the world, picking up new skills and making friends that stuck. She says the camp taught me that borders and barriers aren’t real, they’re just things we make up. Everyone knows what it feels like to bounce back from tough times. Resilience is something we all share. No matter where you come from, pushing through pain is something that brings us together. When

Faiqa got back home feeling more confident, she decided to try her hand at a tough new challenge, arm wrestling. The sport’s focus on upper-body strength matches her basketball practice and adds a new kind of excitement. She says arm wrestling is intense and straightforward, it’s just her and the other person, no excuses. It also helps build strength that’s useful for basketball. Her increasing involvement in adaptive sports is important in a region where women often face cultural and logistical challenges when it comes to athletics. Training among apple orchards and walnut groves, she moves her wheelchair over rough ground. Faiqa shows what real adaptation looks like by facing not only injury but whatever life brings her.

As March 8, 2026 approaches, her planned recognition on International Women’s Day holds more meaning than just a personal milestone. It’s a way of recognizing her role as a trailblazer and mentor for young girls throughout South Kashmir. She says humbly, This award isn’t just for me.This is for every woman who has ever felt broken yet found the strength to stand back up. She shared some thoughts about her journey in a private chat. Those three years of depression shifted how I view the world around emit was tough, but going through that time made me more patient with myself and others. I learned to appreciate the small moments and to be honest about my feelings instead of trying to hide them. It wasn’t easy, but it showed me what really matters and helped me grow in ways I hadn’t expected. They taught me how to feel empathy for myself and for the people around me.I learned that healing takes time and doesn’t happen overnight. Strength isn’t something you get right away. It takes time and patience to build. It builds up little by little with small wins along the way. The biggest thing I took away from the national championship was how important teamwork really is.Everyone had to trust each other and stay focused, even when things got tough. It showed me that working together makes a huge difference because you can’t do it alone. A feeling I carry deep inside is that I belong.

Competing at that level showed I’m more than just my injury. If I could tell young women facing tough times one thing, it would be this: hang in there. Life gets hard, no doubt about it, but those struggles don’t define you. Keep believing in yourself, even when it feels like nobody else does. Take things one day at a time, and don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it.Your strength shows in how you keep moving forward, no matter what. Setbacks don’t define who you are. Own your story, figure out what drives you, and surround yourself with people who’ve got your back. The real win is in getting back up after you fall. Today,

Faiqa keeps training hard, working on both basketball and arm wrestling, and she inspires others just by being herself. Her story isn’t just about sports; it’s about taking back who she is, changing what’s possible, and turning tough times into a way to help others. In the rough terrain of South Kashmir, where winters hit hard and summers don’t last long, Faiqa Gulzar stands as a figure of lasting strength. Her story shows that no matter how tough things get, people can find a way to rise up, adjust, and keep moving forward.

E-mail: ShaneHind114@gmailcom