This 23-year-old cyclist without arms is crowd-funding his Olympic dream

This story is about mind over matter. It’s about the 23-year-old Jaswinder Singh who was born without arms but defied all odds to become one of India’s leading para-cyclists. Resident of Patran village near Patiala, Punjab, Jaswinder has set his sights on the Paralympics in Rio this year and has decided to crowd-fund his participation. His goal is no less than the gold medal.

In a report by The Times Of India, Jaswinder qualified for the 2014 Asian Para Games but couldn’t participate due to lack of funds. This set-back hasn’t discouraged Jaswinder. “To be able to compete on an international level, all athletes need international standards of training, coaching, nourishment and infrastructure,” said Jaswinder in a press statement from DesiredWings.com, a crowd-funding platform.

“Through this crowd-funding initiative I hope to collect enough money to be able to keep on dreaming and following my passion. Your support is all I need. And I will leave no stone unturned to win an Olympics Gold for my country,” added Jaswinder.

Jaswinder was interested in cycling from a very young age and despite his parents telling him not to ride, a young Jaswinder would sneak out of his house every night and try balancing on a cycle in the lanes of his neighbourhood. It wasn’t easy. Jaswinder has suffered more than 17 fractures.

Now, Jaswinder cycles more than 25km, a day. He also uses his feet to cook and eat his food, paint, and even work on his computer. His favourite cyclist is Joseph Veloce from Canada. “He is my biggest inspiration. Like him I want to win a Gold Medal in the Olympics. I want to make my parents and my country proud.”

Jaswinder’s fans call him ‘Super Singh’- a title befitting this larger than life personality. Think Change India wishes him the best for the upcoming Rio Para-Olympics!

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