’A stroke can’t stop me from running’

Says Hastimal Kataria, 65-year-old brain stroke patient who got the hospital to grant him three hours so he could participate in the marathon; he hasn't missed one till date

'A stroke can't stop me from running'

Says Hastimal Kataria, 65-year-old brain stroke patient who got the hospital to grant him three hours so he could participate in the marathon; he hasn't missed one till date
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IN what is a fitting testament to passion making one overcome the most daunting odds, a 65-year-old, hospitalised because of a brain stroke, got the hospital authorities to grant him three hours so that he could participate in the Mumbai Marathon.

Hastimal Kataria, who participated in the dream run despite a brain stroke

Hastimal Kataria, who was rushed to Bombay Hospital after suffering the stroke on January 10, left for CST from the hospital early last morning to participate in the dream run.

"I begged my doctor to grant me just three hours to run the marathon as the event happens once in a year and I just could not afford to miss it.
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I will go straight to the hospital from here," said a beaming Kataria, when MiD DAY spoke to him at the finish line.

Talking about the stroke, Kataria said, "I had started feeling numbness in my hand followed by unclear vision and hence my family rushed me to the hospital. Doctors told me that I had suffered a brain stroke and needed rest."

Kataria, who has two grandchildren, stays in Pydhonie and is a member of the Mafatlal Club. "I walk seven kilometre from the club to Nariman Point and back every day.
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I am fit as a fiddle even at this age and these small diseases cannot discourage me from doing what I love walking and meeting people."u00a0

'Child-like'

Kataria's wife, Kiran, however, had misgivings about him participating in the marathon.

"I tried to convince him and make him understand that he is unwell and he should participate next year, but he refused to listen to any of the family members.
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He continued to demand to go for the marathon with child-like stubbornness. We were left with no choice but to ask the doctors for permission."

Before his wife could complete, Kataria intervened and said, "If they would not have allowed me to go, I would have made my wife sleep on the bed so that they wouldn't notice a missing patient and would have sneaked out."

Doctor's take

Dr Nirmal Surya, neuro physician at Bombay Hospital, who is treating Kataria and participated in the marathon himself, said, "He is better now and we are waiting for a few medical reports to come.

I allowed him to participate in the marathon, with due permission from hospital authorities, as he was medically fit for the dream run, which does not demand much exertion."

"Usually, we do not allow patients to leave the hospital premises but, in case the patient is fit to attend an event, we consider because there is a lot of emotion and sentiment attached," added Surya, who ran with a group of 25 epilepsy patients to ward off the myths associated with the disorder.