Aisha Chaudhary: Singing in the life boat

Posted on 10/12/11
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Like Voltaire, she believes a shipwreck gives us an opportunity to sing in the life boats. Little Aisha Chaudhary, the first INK Youth Fellow, teaches us a big lesson even as she is battling a life-threatening medical condition. All of 15, Aisha has taught herself to paint, take pictures, run with her pooch and dance at a cousin’s wedding, not just once but twice. Aisha learnt art at the American Embassy School. “You live every moment twice, once in your mind and once when you actually live it,” she said to a standing ovation.

About the Speaker

Aisha Chaudhary

INKyouth Fellow

Fifteen year-old Aisha Chaudhary was born with an immune deficiency disorder and overcame a predicted life expectancy of only one year to have become an accomplished artist today. Despite a serious lung disease called Pulmonary Fibrosis, her persistent optimism, extraordinary maturity in the face of impossible odds, and calm perspective on life’s challenges have been an inspiration to many.

Pree Ta

Life teaches tough lessons. Blessed are those who learn it. Sooner the better......most go through life without having the opportunity or learning from the difficulties. Aisha; you are blessed and a blessing!

Raman Sharma

Hi Aisha,

This is Raman Uncle.

I loved your speech !

Your courage and confidence is so inspiring !

I'm sure your words will be heard by many on the internet and will alter many lives and peoples' way of thinking.

I'm sooooooooooo proud of you !

Lots of love.


Manoj Sabharwal

Hi Aisha,
I heard your speech and of course it brought tears to my eyes. But that is not what is important - what is, is the fact that in 5 minutes once could learn from a brave young girl, what many would go through an entire lifetime and miss altogether. You are the epitome of courage, confidence and self belief - you do not have to win Aisha, you already have.
Keep going - Manoj Sabharwal

Aditi Chaudhary

Aisha - many people have said that God has sent us many troubles over the years but I have always believed that we have been blessed to have you despite the pain and sadness at times...YES we have seen life in MANY shades and colours due to our journey and YOU have added many rainbows to my soul!

Along the way I have had the honour to meet many angels who have helped, the American Embassy school, the doctors and nurses in Seattle, Gt. Ormond Street Hospital and countless individuals, friends and family who brought medicines, carried our bags, housed us et al...

I know how much courage it took for you to get up and talk on stage - you take up every challenge that life throws at you and then some...

I am so grateful to INK and all the people to have made this possible and especially to Lakshmi who came up with the idea that you should tell your own story and how brilliantly you have told it!

I also want to thank all those who showered love and affection and presents on Aisha during the conference, you have given us gifts beyond measure.

MEHER AMALSAD


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Use Life As a Gift
to Lift, Shift and Uplift
yourself and others
© 2011, Meher Amalsad,
Author of Bread For the Head™
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.

My Dear Aisha:

You have lived up to the above affirmation that I truly believe in.

In life, what you believe, you will achieve.

I wish you a
LIFE FILLED WITH A
SUCCESSION OF SUCCESSFUL SUCCESSES


May your life be as special as you are to others.

With Blessings of love, light and gratitude from

Meher Amalsad
Westminster, California, USA

Please visit my website to add more inspiration in your life. It is specially designed for kids

www.Bread4TheHead.com

and take a look at Z-Series.

Millions of people across the globe have benefitted from my work in the past 25-years.

Most of my work is dedicated to my sweet daughter Anahita (which means - an angel of love), who is my teacher of unconditional love and spirituality.

You are welcome to contact me via email at BabaMeher@prodigy.net if you wish to do so.

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tariq sait

Dear Aisha,

Its such an inspiring and motivational speak, leaves one empowered and makes one feel that life is a Gift of God which we all need to love and enjoy, and you have taken the lead in teaching us. This is truly ABR stuff and im just running short of words.Have never seen such will power in any person earlier. wish you all the very best in Life .... and from today i also do BELIEVE IN MIRACLES.....!!!!!

tariq sait

Its such an inspiring and motivational speak, leaves one empowered and makes one feel that life is a Gift of God which we all need to love and enjoy, and you have taken the lead in teaching us. This is truly ABR stuff and im just running short of words.Have never seen such will power in any person earlier. wish you all the very best in Life .... and from today i also do BELIEVE IN MIRACLES.....!!!!!

Best regards,

Tariq Sait

Bharati Shetti

Hi Aisha, we are very inspired by your talk, confidence and self belief...you are a brave and courageous girl. May god give you the strength to fulfill all your dreams.
We do believe in miracles! God bless
lots of Love

Percy Batlivala

Dear Dear Aisha,
Seldom does one find a person with your courage and positive attitude. I remember the ever so soft spoken & shy Aisha who shared her paintings and sketches with me. I admired you then. I idolize you now.
God bless & tons of love.
Percy uncle

Audumbar Jadhav

Hey Aisha,
Your speech was really inspiring. Everybody have their own problems, but not everyone has the right kind of attitude to face them. You have proved that attitude matters alot.

God Bless You!!

Aparna Chopra

My dear Aisha,

So proud of you my friend! And I still have the potrait you sketched for me....its beautifully framed in my room. You are a true star, and we are all very proud of you.

Your speech is amazing, and you cannot imagine how many people can get inspired by this....and from you! Keep up the fight.

Lots of love and a big hug!
Aparna

Zarreen Khan

Aisha, this was an absolutely fantastic and inspiring speech. God has truly gifted you with the abiliity to understand life.....and has given you the ability to share it with people. I loved every one of your lessons....and just this speech will impact the lives of many! I'm glad you shared this with the audience....and I'm glad we got a chance to see it on the Internet. It came straight from the heart.....and that's what made it so powerful! God bless.

Parin Patel

Wow.

Aisha, you truly are an inspiration to each and every one of us, and I was so moved by your remarkable story that I shared it on my blog today (http://www.thegreatnessmind.com).

In fact, you're more than an inspiration - you're a role model to everyone of all ages. I loved the passion, energy and hope you spoke with, and represent, in your talk - it truly moved me.

I wholeheartedly believe that "GREATness is a state of MIND" and you are living that mantra.

Thank you for inspiring me.
And more importantly, Thank You for being You.

Have a fantastic holiday season and wishing you your BEST year yet in 2012!

Parin

omshidhar reddy

Dear Aisha,

I had tears in my eyes on hearing you talk.
Dear Child,

I pray to God to see you grow up into a beautiful young lady, fall in love, have smile always on your face....and your life should be like a fairytale ending...."Aisha married and lived happily everafter"

You are a winner dear child. You have lived to prove to the world "Where there is a will, there is a way"....

God exists and your will power is a reason for God to smile.

ravi uma

Dear Aisha,
Thank you very much for teaching how to live and savor life’s every little moment … I either watch the video or read the article( which appeared in the news paper ) when things are not going well
Your message is very Powerful & Inspirational … I even showed the video to my parents and translated that in local language to make them understand the message … they were literally into tears and started advising me your 5 rules … depending on the situation whenever we are speaking
Now I truly started believing in miracles
All the best

Rahul Roy

Aisha, I have met you only once while visiting your parents and your joy in life was palpable, even for a brief evening. Watching you speak so eloquently and with so much meaning makes me appreciate everything this world has to offer. May we all live with the spirit that you bring to every minute of your day. Take care, and here's to your life that I KNOW will be filled with happiness and light for years and years to come. -rahul roy.

Meera Subramaniam

Aisha
Thank you for sharing your story and the beautiful way in which you have gone through the whole journey. Being a pulmonologist I have seen many kids who are going through what you are going through but never have I seen so much thoughtfullness, introspection, beauty, courage in working through everything. I am so inspired myself and will share it with friends and patients. Keep your chin up!

Rayana Rebello

Aisha, Very touching and very inspiring ! You have grown so beautiful-looking and your speech brought out your true inner beauty as well. I am going to share this with my young boys for whom, I am sure, you will be a great inspiration and lesson in living with hope and determination.

May God continue to shower his blessings and miracles on you and your wonderful family.

Bianca Mahadevia

Hey Aisha : )

I dont think you remember me, I'm Ria Sharma's friend, Raman uncle's daughter ? We met a really long time ago at one of Ria's family gathering thingies very briefly and i remember seeing you then, so small and fragile like little thumbelina ! And today, thanks to Ree, after i watched your video, I was really overwhelmed with happiness . .

I am so happy to see you healthy and walking around, so proud to see a young girl like you with such a strong mind and so grateful to you for making me BELIEVE more than I already do .

You are truly an inspiration to everybody out there .

I really hope all your dreams and wishes come true and if i could i'd send you a kazillion trucks full of my blessings :)

Shine brightER always . .

lots of love and strength
Bianca Mahadevia


Shilpa Dube

Dear Aisha,

You are amazing person with self-belief and confidence...keep rocking..Good luck for your future..B Inspirational and make people inspirational...

Keep up the good spirit,
Shil

SHASHI SINGH

Dear Aisha,

You bring inspiration and courage to take any challenge in life. I am sure many people like me has been able to undergo our own human revolution and bring ourself closer to our dreams after listenng to your speech.

I have shared this with many and will continue doig this as it touches everyone in some way or other. Many thanks and God Bless

Eleanor Nesbitt

Aisha, I keep listening to your beautiful message, and now your words are inspiring my friends as well. It was such a privilege to get to know your family in the 1970s, and now it is truly amazing to see your courage, and talent and power to make the world a better and place. With much love and with all best wishes for increasing strength,
Eleanor auntie

Shannon McLaughlin

Aisha! So, inspirational! I am not teaching now. (Remember me? your 6th grade science teacher?) I am working as a counselor in a HIV clinic in New York City. I am going to show your talk to my clients to share your hope filled perspective. I will proudly tell them you are a former student!!! My middle-aged clients can learn much from a 15 year old with such a wise message. So glad to see you in this video. So happy to see your grit and determination continue! Stay strong!

Aisha Chaudhary

Ms. McLaughlin!! Thank you so much for your message on here it really means a lot. It's so good to hear from you! Of course I remember :) I think of you and Ms Apel very often.. how are you doing? How are you liking working as a counselor? It must be such a different experience as opposed to being a teacher! Hope you are doing well!

Swati Sarin Bukshi

Hi Aisha-you dont know us but we are friends of your parents. We just want to say that you spoke beautifully and very wisely. We are very proud of your courage and inner strength to face the challenges that you are facing and we know that somebody with your positive attitude will prevail and become fully well again. We wish you all the very best.
Swati & Varun Bukshi

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